We left Moab and headed for Capitol Reef, possibly my favourite park so far, but vying closely with Bryce. The beautiful drive down the Notom-Frog Trail was awash with colour - and the odd carcass. The Burr Trail then took us through Grande Staircase Escalante National Monument and back to Torrey. On our second day we hiked about four miles and 1,100 ft up into the park itself for more amazing views.
How to describe Bryce Canyon? The tall standing structures are called HooDoos. The whole place looks like a fairyland grotto. On day one we visited the Queen's Garden - spot the photo looking like Queen Victoria. On the second day, we followed an 8 mile hike through The Fairyland Loop, which was well worth the very early start to avoid the midday heat.
Finally we made it to Zion, where the Canyon Walls climb high. We followed the Virgin River up the Narrows, towards its spring. It started gently, with plenty of dry spaces on the edges and as it narrowed, it got deeper and faster. I managed to get swept away once by the stream, caught on video by Declan, but too big to upload here! Declan ended up swimming, me thinks a case of lost footing!!
