The Final Turnstile...

"Sooner or later you come back for that which (is) stored away, and sometimes it isn't there."  Off Ramp...Adventures and heartache in the American elsewhere, by Hank Stuever...

Leaving "Oz"

“I cannot understand why you should wish to leave this beautiful country and go back to the dry, gray place you call Kansas." Scarecrow to Dorothy, from "The Wizard of Oz."

Groovin' Off Trail To View Parunaweep Canyon

Parunaweep is a Piaute Indian word that translates, "roaring water canyon," which, depending on the weather, could be any canyon in Zion. We took a break for lunch here, where sandstone "whitecaps" meet a tumultuous Red Sea...

"The best things in life make you sweaty"

"May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous...and lead to the most amazing view."  Edward Abbey 

Exploring Zion's Uncharted, Less Trodden Backcountry

If I were a true artist and could dip a brush into my soul, I would paint Zion.

A Gem of a Hike

Since we were camped nearby, Bobbie and I swung into Escalante Petrified Forest State Park for a short hike through some fossilized trees. Having seen a considerable amount of petrified wood, I was more or less there for the hike. Man-oh-man, did I ever underestimate this place. The grounds were littered with gem quality stones...more colors than a rainbow trout.

Brimstone Slot Proves More Cool Than Hot

Tired and battered, we found a spot of shade in which to lunch and recover from exploring slot canyons Peekaboo and Spooky. Our mis-guidebook said Brimstone Slot was only 20 minutes down-wash, which proved false on such a sunburnt day. Anyway, I'm glad for the the author's misguided optimism because, if truth was told, we may have left Brimstone for another day...as in next year.