Our First Spring Break (this year)

March is the month for spring break at the university. Normally we go to Arches National Park, but this year we decided to go to the other side of the state and visit state parks in southwestern Utah. Here is the story as told by Diane:

Mar 10, 2014 (Mon) [402 miles]

            We got up at about 7:30 and read scriptures. We got dressed, packed, and then had breakfast and put things in the car. After some final instructions to Andrea we headed off for Spring Break. As we traveled I read “Escape from Zarahemla”(book 2) to Paul. We stopped in Provo for a stretch and lunch. We then continued south. We stopped for another break and the wind was really blowing. 

We continued on and stopped in Kolob Canyon. We drove up the 5-mile scenic drive then we took a 1-mile round-trip trail to an overlook. It was a beautiful hike and view. 

Kolob Canyon

Finally a place to sit

We then went on to St. George and stayed at Crystal Inn. We went for a swim, which was relaxing, and then we went to the Black Bear for dinner.

Mar 11, 2014 (Tue) [195 miles]

            This morning we got up, got dressed and went for breakfast. After breakfast we packed up and headed for Snow Canyon. We bought an annual pass for the state parks. We then hiked some trails in Snow Canyon. 

We hiked Jenny’s Canyon, which was named for a girl that loved nature and had passed away. We

View from Jenny's Canyon

 looked at the Sand Dunes, 

View from the Sand Dunes

the Pioneer Names,

See the names of the pioneers

Rock climbing at Pioneer Names
(look for the climber up high)

and hiked Hidden Pinion Nature Trail. 

Nature trail

Hidden Pinion overlook

By that time it was 12:30 pm so we left Snow Canyon and headed for Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. On the way we ate lunch, stopped at Quail Creek State Park 

Quail Creek State Park

and Sand Hollow State Park (they are reservoirs). 

Sand Hollow State Park

We then went through Zion’s National Park. I read from the book as we traveled between sights. 

Stop to greet the buffalo

At Coral Pink Sand Dunes we walked on their nature trail that goes across some of the dunes. It was fun and interesting. 

Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park

Down the dune

WATER ----

We arrived at Ruby’s Inn by Bryce Canyon at about 5:30 pm. We had dinner  relaxed.

Mar 12, 2014 (Wed) [176 miles]

            This morning we slept until 7:45 am. We went over to the restaurant for breakfast. After we finished we went back to the room and packed up. There was frost on the car so Paul moved it into a sunnier place. It had mostly thawed by the time we were ready to leave. 

We went into Bryce Canyon and drove to the farthest point (Rainbow Point). From there we stopped at all the viewpoints as we worked our way back to the main part of the park. We skipped the sights we had been to recently. 

Rainbow Point

Yovimpa Point 

Black Birch Canyon (COLD& WINDY)

Ponderosa Point

Agua Canyon

Natural Bridge

Farview Point

After a fire

Sheep Creek

We filled up the car with gas at one of the stations by Ruby’s Inn. We then went to Kodachrome Basin State Park. The scenery here was beautiful. We took a nature trail. 

Kodachrome Basin State Park

Towers of stone

Cabins

We then headed to Petrified Wood State Park. There was no one there so we didn’t have a trail guide, but we took the nature trail anyway. At the top we found the petrified wood. There was also Wild Hollow Reservoir there. 

Wild Hollow Reservoir

This is hard wood

Fallen tree rock

We then continued to Anasazi State Park. It is a very nice museum of those Native Americans that lived there in the 1200’s. It was very interesting and was different from what we remembered. We then headed to Torrey. 

Anasazi State Park

The views over Boulder Mountain were spectacular. 

View from Boulder Mountain

We got a room at the Best Western Capital Reef Resort. We have a beautiful view of the red cliffs from our room. We love this place. We ate at the restaurant here and enjoyed a relaxing evening.

View from our balcony

Mar 13, 2014 (Thu) [257 miles]

            This morning after getting dressed and having breakfast at the restaurant we headed for Capital Reef. 

Castle of Capital Reef

We stopped at Panorama View Point. 

Panorama Viewpoint

We then went down a gravel road to the Gooseneck Viewpoint 

The Gooseneck

and Sunset Viewpoint. They were short walks. 

Sunset Viewpoint

Hiding behind the tree

This must be our family tree

We then went to the Visitor’s Center. We decided we would hike to Hickman Natural Bridge. When we got to the parking area we found out the trail was closed. We then decided to walk the Grand Wash Trail. We only went as far as the Narrows. As we got to the end of the Narrows we climbed up into a cove and had a snack. We then went back. The map shows the Narrows as being about halfway on the trail. 

The Narrows

Climbing to the cove for a break

We then headed to Hanksville and stopped at the store there to get some things for lunch. 

Wolverton Mill in Hanksville

We headed for goblin Valley State Park, eating lunch on the way. At Goblin Valley we wandered all through the “goblins”. It was fun to just wander. 

Which is the goblin?

Slippery slope

We then headed north to I-70 then over to Highway 10. Highway 10 took us up through Castle Country where the geological formations look like castles. 

San Rafael Reef (I-70)

We stopped at Millsite State Park and 

Millsite State Park

Huntington State Park. Both of these were reservoirs. 

Huntington State Park

We then went on to Price and got a room at National 9 Motel and had dinner at Wendy’s. Time to relax.

Mar 14, 2014 (Fri) [211 miles]

This morning we slept until 8 am. We had to hurry to get ready so we could have breakfast before 9 am. We then headed to Provo. I read to Paul on the way. 

We stopped at BYU and went to the bookstore. We then went to Buffalo Wild Wings for lunch. It was a sports Bar & Grill. It was very noisy with games going on. The wings were OK, but we don’t think we will go there again. We continued on to Salt Lake and stopped at Bon Worth. I bought a two shirts. We then went on to Bountiful. I finished the book on the way. 

We stopped at Columbus Travel to check on plans for New Zealand and Australia. We then stopped at Tai Pan Trading just to look at their seasonal decorations. We then came on home and arrived at 5:30 pm. We have been slowly unpacking and catching up on the weeks news.