My favorites… (post 4)

Working my way back down toward Utah…

Bozeman, Montana

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Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming:

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Grand Tetons National Park, Wyoming:

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Jackson Hole, Wyoming:

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Salt Lake City, Utah:

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Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah:

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Open Range Cattle Heading to Arches…

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Arches National Park, Utah:

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Canyonlands National Park, Utah:

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Bryce Canyon National Park…

I’ll admit it, I almost – almost – skipped Bryce Canyon. I was starting to run a little short on time and was trying to figure out how to get through the National Parks in Utah the best way possible and this was going to cost me a little as I looped back through the state. Thankfully, after realizing that I wasn’t going to be able to see The Wave in the Grand Staircase, I stuck to my original plan and kept Bryce on the docket.

Coming in the way that I did, you go through Red Rock Canyon first – what a great way to “prep” for Bryce – it’s just stunningly beautiful as well (top left pic)…

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You just see these “needles” in the Canyon – they’re actually referred to as hoodoos – and they seemingly go on and on – and you hike 20 feet and look again and it’s a completely different look.

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And, again, just like at Arches or Mexican Hat Rock, you find yourself trying to figure out how in the world is that thing still standing?

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It’s also possible to hike down into the Canyon, as can be seen in the pic above.

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Again, how is that still in one piece?

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Probably my favorite part of Bryce Canyon was hiking to see Thor’s Hammer. Like the earlier photos, you walk 20 feet and look and it’s completely different – or you continue down the switchback trail and all of a sudden you’re looking up at it and it’s just awe-inspiring.

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To the best of my memory, I don’t think I’ve ever taken a rainbow photo. This was a trip of firsts.