Desert Bloom
A roadtrip through the American Southwest
Day 1, a soaking trek across I-70 to reach Pittsburgh by nightfall.
Chapters:
Moab | Monument Valley | Page | Bryce Canyon
Zion | Palm Springs | Joshua Tree | Grand Canyon
Sedona | White Sands | Far West | Neon Cowboy
Day 2, hyped up on caffeine, cruise through Ohio, through Indiana. The official Gateway to the West.
Somewhere in Kansas.
Blowing through the nothingness, we speed
into the night to reach Colorado by morning.
Found 'em.
There's a frosty treat in store.
After 3 days of driving, we hit Moab, Utah. A lush, green valley surrounded by red desert. The Colorado river skirts the town, on its way toward forming the Grand Canyon.
Spent the afternoon climbing every rock face possible in Arches National Park, then we hit the town for a cold beer before venturing out to make camp.
Camp meal. Night 3. Under a canopy of stars.
Green River Overlook in Canyonlands merges the Green and Colorado rivers to form the northernmost rim of the eventual Grand Canyon.
Monument Valley is the biggest expanse of open space I have ever seen.
It's majestic. Easy to see why the land here is sacred for the Navajo.
The tribal park tours are on reduced hours due to Covid. Quick pitstop and we drive on into the setting desert sun. The next town is Page, Arizona.
Save 15% or more.
Day 7. Saturday. We accidentally stumble into a massive balloon fiesta. We ask if anyone needs help rigging it up, for the small price of a free ride.
Floating through the air at the behest of the wind.
Gravity.
Detour: Bryce Canyon National Park
Ahead of schedule by a full day, we decide to veer off our route as we dip back up into Utah on the way to Zion.
Spent 4 hours walking the canyon rim and down in between the hoodoos. But we had to hit the road and make it a few hours south to Zion for our night 8 camp.
Waking up to a perfect view just west of the park at Kolob Gate Gardens.
A tarantula sighting didn't scare us enough, so we start climbing the infamous Angel's Landing.
Sure-footed but afraid of heights. +5,790' up.
Rest for the wicked.
Cruising the canyon boulevard by bike. Court of the Patriarchs ^
The Watchman v
Mesquite, NV for a hot shower and hefty meal. Last night of camp before Dave returns to Barcelona.
Ani flies in later that night. Off to Palm Springs.
Sunrise over a bluff along the Pacific Ocean. Crystal Cove State Park.
Wig Wam Motel on historic Route 66.
San Bernardino, CA. National Register of Historic Places.
Twin Palms. Sinatra residence v
"Mojave moonrise" from the Palm Springs aerial tramway.
Off to Joshua Tree.
Cholla Cactus Garden
A thirst-quenching beer before making camp.
Campsite at Sky Fire Ranch. ^
< Daybreak in the desert.
A friend appears to have visited camp last night.
5 1/2 hour drive through the blank desert. Just in time to set up camp in the dark. 5:28 am, sunrise at the Grand Canyon south rim v
View looking away from the canyon rim.
Mountains of northern Arizona.
Paparazzi joins us to get a view of the Sedona red rocks.
[Glenn Frey voice]...
Wide open New Mexico
