Either way, creation arrayed herself in all splendour as we drove from Monument Valley and across the high plateau of Utah. We climbed higher and higher, piling the miles onto the rental car, but to keep us entertained the radio luckily played both kinds of music: country and western.
We stopped at Glen Canyon dam, the second highest in the US (a country in which there are no prizes for being second) and went for a cruise on Lake Powell. Here we were able to see the rocks from the water! The lake, formed in the twisting canyons of the Navajo reservation, is a major recreation spot, with tour boats and canoes disappearing up the labyrinthine canyons as far as they can go. Our own little cruise ship executed a hair-raising three-point-turn when we couldn't get any further and we skimmed the sheer rock walls as we chugged back. Mum was reminded of teaching me how to drive.
After a quiet night in a lovely B&B we drove into Bryce Canyon, famous for its hoodoos - spires of rock formed by water freezing and thawing, topped off by a little protective hat of dolomite. There are lots of them, and at 9,000 feet even my strict fitness regime (walking Pete to school some days) was not enough to keep me from panting up the slightest incline.
The whole area is wondrous, with so much beauty and space it's difficult for the eye to grasp or the soul to comprehend. If only there was somewhere we could finish the holiday that allowed respite from all this natural amazement. Somewhere with the earthly delights of big hotels and all-you-can-eat buffets, somewhere you could win or lose a million on the turn of a card or the roll of a dice. But where would you find somewhere like that in the middle of a desert?
I've seen bigger.
Seaside holiday.
All aboard!
Rocks, but with water in front.
A submariner listening to his sonar.
Our naval architect (see above) was very keen I took pics of the interesting wake trails left by the boat. Hmm.
Look out! Turn right! Turn right!!
Our little boat.
Next year's family holiday.
You're going up there?
No, we're turning around.
The dam from the business end.
Ascending into Bryce
A whole lot of hoodoos.
Weathering adds character.
Natural Bridge.
Is that Durham cathedral down there?
Too near the edge for Dad's comfort. Mum just told me off for risking her grandson's safety.
Another arty tree shot.
In Bryce Canyon lodge I enjoyed my first elk chili! Tasted like chicken, with antlers.
Too much outdoors! Time to relax.
