Wild-West Road-Trip: from Zion to the Grand Canyon

The days we spend on the road are the days I won't forget. The views from the front cabin of the RV, the scenic overlooks that we visit for lunch, the way we negotiate with the children to look out the windows or eat a proper meal, the noise of the engine as I drive up the hills or engine-break on the descents. All of this is part of the trip, and it's one of my favorites. I love to listen to my driving playlists, the ones that keep me awake after lunch. I'm planning an entire post dedicated to what music I play in the car. I like to eat Twizzlers in while I'm driving and maybe some beef-jerky if I think I can get away with it (Jen hates the smell of beef-jerky). I like that we have maps, even though I use directions from Google 99% of the time. I like that we don't really have to stop to use the bathroom or get snacks and that there's enough space for everyone to spread out when they need more room. Most of all, I just like traveling with my family. I like that we're out here and not inside somewhere wasting our summer by wishing it would go by faster. I'm missing a few people from home, but I don't really want this trip to end.

This is one of the turbines from the power-plant at the Glen Canyon Dam. The Glen Canyon Dam is located a little more than half way from Zion to the Grand Canyon.

This is the view from the observation deck at the scenic overlook. In my mind, this kind of structure is one of the most marvelous that humanity has ever devised. In terms of shaping the landscape, there is no comparison to blocking a river to create a body of water and then harnessing that water to generate power. Yes, building dams is a very sensitive environmental issue and we should always do our very best to consider the implications of changing a natural environment. It's still pretty impressive...

... not as impressive as this natural wonder, though. There is no comparison to the stature of this land. I knew I wouldn't be able to fit it all into a single photograph, even with my widest lens, but I didn't realize how just seeing it would effect me.

It was actually Addy's turn to go out on an errand with me. We went to the visitors' center and to the park store to find the junior ranger's workbooks for Evan and Owen. We also picked up a couple postcards and a patch for Jen. Addy bought a coloring book, and I picked up a water bottle.It had been raining for part of the afternoon and the park is big enough that we could still see the storms moving into the west.

I edited the images to retain a moody and more contrasty look because I felt like that gave the lighter parts of the sunset more weight to balance the already enormous canyon while still retaining plenty of detail in the rock formations.

Of course, Adelyn had a great time serenading everyone at the lookout, lol. She never tires of speaking to people and asking them questions about who they are and whom their favorite Disney princess might be. We took the shuttle home with all of our errands completed and finally found some internet, thought it's the slower than dial-up, I'm sure.

Anyway, I'm off to sleep a little before it's too late. Thank you, everyone! I really appreciate your comments and messages:) As always, take care!

- Wayne