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.

Chasing Wonder in a "Spooky" Slot Canyon

"Those who are truly decrepit, living corpses, so to speak, are the middle-aged, middle-class men and women who are stuck in comfortable grooves and imagine that the status quo will last forever or else are so frightened it won’t that they have retreated into mental bomb shelters to wait it out."
Henry Miller, reflecting on the art of living in 1939. 

Lucky Slots

Bobbie and I have slogged, slithered, and sloshed through many Utah slot canyons over the years, but none so slender, confining, graceful, and exhilarating as Peekaboo, Spooky, and Brimstone. Warning: If you are bothered by attenuated places, things like crowded elevators,suffocating MRI procedures, or hotel beds with sheets tucked tight as a straightjacket, these slots are not for you.