Bryce Canyon National Park Utah

Land of the Hoodoos

Visitor's Centre

According to wikipedia:

A hoodoo (also called a tent rock, fairy chimney, or earth pyramid) is a tall, thin spire of rock that protrudes from the bottom of an arid drainage basin or badland. Hoodoos typically consist of relatively soft rock topped by harder, less easily eroded stone that protects each column from the elements.

So, we found the views of hoodoos in the canyon stunning as we walked along the Rim Trail to Inspiration Point.

This video from my YouTube channel, SuttonTravels, is about 3 minutes long.

Hours- Please see the website

Restrooms- those at the visitor’s center were clean and in good working order when we visited

Picnics- There are tables throughout the park.

Trails-a lot of trails are available--  see the website for details

See my photos and comments on the Big 5 National Parks in Utah

My kit

Pixel 4 Google Phone with Google Fi

Panasonic Lumix Camera DMC ZS100 for zoom shots

Garmin vivofit3 tracker because I hate chargeable models

Nike Backpack

Cap with neck flap

Sunscreen and insect repellant

toilet seat covers

hand sanitizer

water bottle

 

Wished I’d remembered

Broadbrim hat with neck flap and chin strap

Trekking poles

Hiking shoes or boots

 Please check out my website   www.suttong.com

And Subscribe to my Travel Channel on YouTube

 

Also, see my books on   AMAZON       or  GOOGLE STORE

Also, consider connecting with me on    FACEBOOK   Geoff W. Sutton   

TWITTER  @Geoff.W.Sutton    

 

Capitol Reef National Park Utah

 We spent part of two days at Capitol Reef National Park in Utah. We entered from the east. 

From the beginning, Capitol Reef looked different from Arches and Canyonlands. The trees along the river were a welcome sight.

Our first stop was for a short hike along a trail to see the Petroglyphs left by early Americans.

Next we hiked the short trail to Hickman Bridge.

Hickman Bridge Trailhead

Trail to Hickman Bridge

Hickman Bridge

On the next day, we got up early to hike the Grand Wash Trail. The parking had been full on the first day. It's an unusual walk with high rock cliffs on both sides.

This panorama is my attempt to "capture" the two-sided rock walls along the trail.

We stopped for a picnic lunch in this grassy area not far from the visitor's centre. There are some deer as well as old buildings and an orchard from early settlers.

Deer feed in the picnic area

Orchard near a picnic area

Here's a video of Capitol Reef National Park from my YouTube Channel: SuttonTravels

See my photos and comments on the Big 5 National Parks in Utah

Notes

Hours- Please see the website

Restrooms- those at the visitor’s centre were clean and in good working order when we visited

Picnics- There are tables throughout the park.

Trails-available--  see the website for details

My kit

Pixel 4 Google Phone with Google Fi

Panasonic Lumix Camera DMC ZS100 for zoom shots

Garmin vivofit3 tracker because I hate chargeable models

Nike Backpack

Cap with neck flap

Sunscreen and insect repellant

toilet seat covers

hand sanitizer

water bottle

 

What I Wish I’d remembered

Broadbrim hat with neck flap and chin strap

Hiking sticks

Hiking shoes or boots

 

Please check out my website   www.suttong.com

And Subscribe to my Travel Channel on YouTube

 

Also, see my books on   AMAZON       or  GOOGLE STORE

Also, consider connecting with me on    FACEBOOK   Geoff W. Sutton   

TWITTER  @Geoff.W.Sutton    

 

Canyonlands National Park Utah

 Stunning Views of Deep Canyons

We visited Canyonlands National Park on 9 April 2021. As we drove toward the park from the east entrance, it wasn’t impressive. But that impression soon changed when we saw the majestic canyons.

We are in the Island in the Sky section of Canyonlands National Park. Our first hike is along the Grand View Point Trail.

People all dressed up begin their marriage on the rocks.

The trail ends at a point where from left to right you see a panorama of stunning shades of red against a deep blue sky.

Chipmunks scramble for food dropped by snackers feasting on the visuals.

We hiked over to Upheaval Dome, which looks more like a crater. A nice moderate trail that was more interesting than the dome itself.

Our final trail took us to Mesa Arch, which is one of those picture-perfect spots people love. It’s an easy trail leading to an arch on the edge of a cliff. Beyond the canyon are the La Sal Mountains.

Here's my video of the Canyonlands from my YouTube Channel.

See my photos and comments on the Big 5 National Parks in Utah

Please check out my website   www.suttong.com

   and see my books on   AMAZON       or  GOOGLE STORE

Also, consider connecting with me on    FACEBOOK   Geoff W. Sutton    

   TWITTER  @Geoff.W.Sutton    

 

 

Subscribe to my Travel Channel on YouTube

 

I've found this book useful-

Arches National Park Utah USA

 

We visited Arches National Park 8 April 2021. Friends warned us about the crowds and difficulty parking so we got up at 6:00 AM, got a breakfast grab bag and immediately saw the busy hotel hallways.

We easily entered the park from the South just off highway 191. We couldn’t resist a few stops for early morning photos.

We turned onto the Delicate Arch Road. Parking for the famous Delicate Arch was full so we parked a mile further along the road at a lot where you can view the arch in the distance. 

Delicate Arch Viewpoint & Parking Area

The distant Delicate Arch from the Viewpoint

We walked back to the trail head, which of course added two miles to the hike. There are toilets and parking by the trailhead.

The 3-mile trail to the Delicate Arch is rated “strenuous.” It is one of the most famous arches in the world and a symbol of Utah. The park itself has over 2,000 arches. By the time we returned to our vehicle, we had walked over 5 miles.

The rocky areas and narrow path near the top requires caution. I recommend good hiking shoes and the capacity for balance and dealing with looking over the sides of cliffs. I slipped once but wasn't hurt.

We stopped at a viewpoint for lunch--not our lovely dog but who could resist this face?

 Next we drove to a two part trail. One path led to Sand Dune Arch.

The other path led to Broken Arch.

Our last hike was to Landscape Arch, which you can see is long like a rock bridge.

Sign for Landscape Arch

Landscape Arch

I took some videos throughout the park, which are on my YouTube Channel: SuttonTravels

Here is a video summary of the day.

See my photos and comments on the Big 5 National Parks in Utah

Link to Arches National Park website

A book about National Parks that I've found helpful.

Please check out my website   www.suttong.com

   and see my books on   AMAZON       or  GOOGLE STORE

Also, consider connecting with me on    FACEBOOK   Geoff W. Sutton    

   TWITTER  @Geoff.W.Sutton    

  Subscribe to my Travel Channel on YouTube

Mammoth Cave Kentucky USA Part 1 of 2

Mammoth Cave / Geoffrey Sutton / suttong.com 2021

 I visited Mammoth Cave National Park 8-9 March 2021. This post is about the cave itself--I'll write about the park in a separate post (See March 14 Mammoth Cave 2).

The entry to the park is free as is parking. I came in from Cave City and followed the signs to the visitor's centre. Mammoth Cave is part of the US National Park service. The site became a national park on 1 July 1941 and has been a World Heritage Site since 27 October 1981 and an international Biosphere Reserve since 26 September 1990.

I arrived early for my 9:15 tour time. Some people were able to sign up onsite but I purchased my ticket online. There are fees for the guided tour; however, during the pandemic restrictions, there were no ranger guided tours. Rangers were posted along the cave route. The route is not long compared to the more than 400 miles of explored passages, which make Mammoth Cave the longest cave in the world.

I took the photo below using my Pixel 4 phone in night mode. Flash photography is not allowed. I took my Canon SLR but found my phone easier to work with.

Mammoth Cave/ G Sutton 2021

There's some evidence of people living and/or working in the cave thousands of years ago. They found stick torches and there's soot on the walls from many users over the centuries. During the Civil War, miners worked the area--you can see evidence not far from the entrance. (Pixel 4 phone, night shot mode)

Mining in Mammoth Cave / suttong.com 2021

One interesting experiment was the treatment of tuberculosis. Small huts were built inside the cave. Unfortunately it didn't work. Apparently, cave air is not that pure.

Cabin for TB patients / suttong.com 2021

As I climbed the steps on my way out, there was a bat on the wall--nine steps down from the first landing.

Bat Mammoth Cave / suttong.com 2021

Notes

• There's a list of things not to bring on tour so, click to see the website for details.

                For example, no tripods, large packs...

• Some roads were flooded so, see the website alerts
• There are no toilets inside the cave but they are available in the visitor's centre and some other places in the park--See the park map.
• In 2021, there were discounts for the price of a tour. For example, I got a lower price with my national park pass.

I write various blogs and books. Please subscribe to this blog and see my website suttong.com

I post travel videos on YouTube at SuttonTravels.

A useful book on US National Parks

Please check out my website   www.suttong.com

   and see my books on   AMAZON       or  GOOGLE STORE

Also, consider connecting with me on    FACEBOOK   Geoff W. Sutton    

   TWITTER  @Geoff.W.Sutton    

 

 

Subscribe to my Travel Channel on YouTube

 

Centennial Park Nashville Tennessee

Lake at Centennial Park, Nashville TN / G Sutton 2017

Centennial Park is near downtown Nashville, Tennessee (500 West End Ave).

It's a great spot to walk around, enjoy the shade, enjoy some summer shade, consider The Parthenon, and have a picnic.

Parthenon, Nashville TN /G Sutton 2017

Sometimes you will find special events-check the website for details.


There's places for sports and information about local history.






















Check out the Official Link for more information