Carlsbad Caverns, Carlsbad, NM

Wow, an update!

Here is a brief overview of where we have been:

Cottonwood, AZ
Las Vegas, NV
Pahrump, NV
Palm Springs, CA
Mesa, AZ
Tuscon, AZ

I will update with pictures etc later for above locations.

We arrived in Carlsbad on Sunday and went to Carlsbad Caverns National Park yesterday.  Unfortunately, we visited while the bats are wintering in Mexico.   We were not able to see any bat flights.  However, the caves are worth a visit regardless of the bat activity (BYO rubber bats if you need to simulate bat flight or not feel cheated in any way).   We did the self-guided Big Room route, the Natural Entrance route and we paid for the guided Kings Palace tour. It was really enjoyable.  You do feel like you are on a different planet.  They did film a portion of Journey to the Center of the Earth in 1959 in the Kings Palace.

They are starting a trial lantern guided tour but we had to leave to take care of the critters. I would have really enjoyed the caves without the lights and just the lanterns.

I think they should sponsor a Halloween party in the Big Room.  It would be really inappropriate and awesome! 

Natural Entrance to cave (instead of elevator)  There is an amphitheatre to watch bat flights above the entrance

All caverny and *hit

Kings Palace

Queens Chamber "drapes"

Fan favorite - Bashful Elephant

Scouts Overlook, Zion National Park

We hiked to Scouts Overlook in Zion Park today.  We did not go to Angel's Landing!  A hike that requires using chains is not in our itinerary (do a search for pictures, cuz we aren't posting any!).  It looks awesome but no regrets!  Since we did not go to Angel's Landing we did continue on the West Rim Trail for a little bit and found a quiet place for lunch.  Yet another great day in Zion!

On the way up! 

 

Walter's Wiggles

Mr C (with Cathedral Mountain I think)

View above Scouts Overlook,  a nice lunch spot

Tree along Refrigerator Canyon

Going down!

View of the valley on way down

Looking back up after the hike

Bryce Canyon National Park

Wow, Utah really rocks!  We drove to Bryce Canyon today and it was great.   Bryce Canyon has an 18 mile scenic road.  We did the road tour and then decided to hike the "World's Best 3-mile Hike".  It did NOT disappoint.  It took our Bryce experience from fair to fantastic!



Cool colors and formations  (from road overlook)



Natural Bridge (from road overlook)

Trying to capture how many HOODOOS are in Bryce Canyon (road overlook)




This is little washed out  but gives an idea of entire landscape (road overlook)

 


Picture from Garden Trail.  Absolutely gorgeous!

Little tunnel on hike

Hoodoos against the bluest sky ever!

On the hike around Navajo Loop are a field of cairns.  Mr C got up close and personal!

The cairns are in trees - everywhere,  pretty cool

Heading up switchbacks on Wall Street, canyon with high rock formations

Looking down on Wall Street

Another fantastic picture of the hoodoos and Wall Street switchbacks

Zion Narrows hike, Zion National Park

We hiked the Zion Narrows today.  The hike route is the river.   60% of the hike is wading/crossing through the river.  When I initially read about the hike I was on the fence as to whether we would enjoy it or not.  We met a couple on the North Rim who said we should do it.  They really enjoyed the hike and she took at least 100+ pictures!  

The hike did not disappoint.  We loved it!   The water was cold but not unbearable.  I'm sure if we hiked it in the spring we may have rented equipment (wetsuit pants, etc) to protect from the cold.  You start the hike on the River Trail (paved for 1 mile) and then begin to hike/wade through the river.

On shuttle to trailhead,  can you find the rock climbers?

Start of river hike



Little water fall along river

Using my mad skills!

Hello!

Looks like ribbon candy 

Mr C. enjoyed it too!

Can you say AWESOME!

Kolob Canyon, Zion National Park

We drove into Zion National Park today with the dogs.  Originally we wanted to get an initial glimpse of the park and hike the Pa'rus Trail with the dogs.  Flash was not having any parts of this outing.  He was very nervous and did not like all the activity (cars, pedestrians, etc) so we decided to drive to the Kolob Canyon area of Zion National Park (approximately 60 mile drive).    Kolob Canyon was pretty but not worth the extra mileage in my opinion.  It would have been worth the trip if we had hit some of the hiking trails but dogs aren't allowed on the trails.