Mukuntuweap

Currently In: Bryce Canyon, Utah
Next Up: stopover in Thompson, Utah on our way to Moab

Our RV Park outside of Zion National Park had no wifi, so I am catching up on my blogposts now although we were actually in Zion last week.

We knew it was going to be a special place when we saw this on the drive over .  I took these photos through the windshield of our RV.

We drove right through Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

We're almost there!

This is the view from the front of our RV at the campground in Glendale, Utah.

Mukuntuweap is the name the  Native American Paiute tribe gave Zion National Park.  In 1917 the National Park Service changed the name to Zion, a name given to the area by the Mormons.  Zion is the third most visited National Park after the Grand Canyon and Smokey Mountain National Parks.

This National Park has the most spectacular entrance of any that we have been to yet.  On our first drive through, we just admired the landscape.  But I took some photos on our other trips in and out.
Immediately we were treated to Checkerboard Mesa after passing through the East Entrance.

Near Checkerboard is this formation.  Not sure it has a name but it's so unusual.

As we continued to drive, there were awesome views on both sides. How do the trees grow in rocks???

We got to the first tunnel.

And then through the Zion-Mt. Carmel tunnel built by the CCC in 1930.

We saw the Grand Arch from the road. Stunning.

When we got to the Visitor Center we learned that pressure on layers of mud, lime, sediment and ash created the layered sandstone.  Then the Colorado Plateau rose to 10,000 feet above sea level.  Rain did its thing working into the holes and crevices in the rock and eroding it to create Zion Canyon.  This process continues today!  At the Grand Canyon, you view the Canyon from above.  But at Zion we drove and hiked along the Canyon floor.
This was our lunch spot at the museum right near the Visitor Center.

 Our lunch view was the Tower of the Virgins.

This other formation was nearby - again not sure if it even has a name.

The Visitor Center was really busy the first day we were at the Park, so we decided to take a drive to Lava Point.

Here is some of what we saw on the way over.

This one is called North Guardian Angel.

We even saw some fall colors!

Once we got to the top, we saw a view of Zion Canyon from above.

It was so beautiful at this Park, I took too many photos.  Here is one of my favorites because of the layered rock on the right and the Canyon on the left.

Another Highway Town

Currently In: Williams, AZ
Leaving for Glendale, UT today to begin our tour of Southern Utah National Parks

This is the largest Route 66 shield.  Another tourist destination!
We walked around downtown Williams one day - another town on route 66.  Many people use this as a stop to visit the Grand Canyon, but we had already been there a couple of times on this trip, so we hung out in town.

Lots of cute shops and Route 66 memorabilia, including this old gas station that is now a museum.

We stopped by the oldest bar in Arizona to celebrate the Browns win! Dilly Dilly!

There are lots of murals in downtown Williams - this one was my favorite since there is so much in it: nature and the settling of Arizona, the coming of the railroad, and Route 66.

The old train station is now the visitor center.  There are trains that run to the Grand Canyon every day.  We heard this train ride was not very scenic, so we took a pass.

The Williams clock stands at the train area.

This old building dates back to 1910 and and belonged to the the Postal Telegraph company.  There are lots of historic structures like this in Williams, but this is the only one with Elvis in the doorway!

Many of the shops and restaurants along Route 66 are fun like this one playing music from the 50's.

Our last night in Williams we were treated to a spectacular sunset.

Another Anniversary on the Road

Currently In: Williams, AZ
Next up: Glendale, UT while visiting Zion National Park

So yesterday was our 17th wedding anniversary.  After our trip back to Chicago and short stays in our next couple of stops, I didn't get a card for Johnny.  I had to admit it to him on Friday.
Here was the card I opened yesterday morning:

Love, Johnny and Mary
He saved me again by getting a card for both of us from both of us! Ha!
Well, I made him a nice breakfast - better than a card in his opinion.
Then we headed off to the zoo in Williams.  Bearizona!

This place is awesome.  First, we drove our Jeep through safari style and watch the animals in a natural setting.

White Bison

Rocky Mountain Goat

Arctic Wolf

Big Horn Sheep

Tundra Wolf

Then we walked through the area that looks like a regular zoo.

River Otter

Bobcat

Black Bear Cubs

White Peacock

Red Fox

Really cute bear cub

The bus ride is essentially the same as the drive through with your own car, but it is narrated and we saw some different stuff.  We learned that most of the animals here are rescue animals, particularly the bears.  We can't get enough of the bears.

Playing in the Pool

Resting in a tree!

Our anniversary picture.

My husband built the best campfire where we clinked glasses to our years together!