A Wandering Sole

That Time in Virgin When a Llama Tried to Eat Alan

// April 10th, 2012 // 4 Comments » // America

When we left Zion National Park, we were headed for the bright lights of Vegas. We expected the scenic landscape of southern Utah and desert in Nevada, but we did not realize we’d be driving through the tiny town of Virgin, Utah. I used to live in Utah and had never heard of this place (probably because as of the 2000 census, there were only 394 people living there). This sleepy place lies along the Virgin River and is where it gets its namesake. (more…)

Montage Monday: Meeting Truckers on the Road

// April 9th, 2012 // 4 Comments » // America

Every photo conjures up a memory. I really loved taking sunset photos as we drove behind this truck through New Mexico, but of course I can’t look at this photo without thinking about Stella’s and my encounters with truckers on our road trip. Though I have traveled by myself quite a bit, I have to say the ridiculous stories from those solo adventures probably pale in comparison to the ones from when I have traveled with Stella. (more…)

Hiking with Chains at Angel’s Landing

// April 5th, 2012 // 11 Comments » // America

View of Zion National Park from Angel's Landing

I love hiking and climbing things. I love the thrill of adrenaline pumping activities. (And I should mention that I appreciate the shock value of sending Google images to my parents about what I’ve been up to… just to keep them on their toes.)  (more…)

Evening Entertainment at Bryce Canyon

// March 28th, 2012 // 4 Comments » // America

After a beautiful day of hiking and admiring the amazing landscapes found in Bryce Canyon, Stella treated us to a little evening entertainment: a modern-day hoedown of sorts. If you’re staying at the Best Western, you pay full price to go to Ebenezer’s Barn and Grill. But if you camp, they give you discount coupons.  Growing up I’ve attended several types of dinner shows, including Medieval Times and a country western dinner show near Jackson Hole. But Stella had not yet relished in these cheesy American past times and was understandably intrigued. She bought our tickets and we got ready after thawing out in the hot tub.  (more…)

Below Freezing in Bryce Canyon

// March 27th, 2012 // 6 Comments » // America

When we arrived in Bryce Canyon, we noticed a few things.

1.) It was about a million degrees colder than Moab.
2.) Everything said “Ruby’s” on it. The whole town is basically owned by one person.
3.) Camping at Ruby’s means you get access to the amenities at neighboring Ruby’s Best Western. Score! That means a pool and a hot tub.

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Montage Monday: Bryce Canyon Panorama (Utah)

// March 26th, 2012 // 6 Comments » // America

The landscape in Utah is varied to say the least! The National Parks website describes Bryce Canyon.. “What is Bryce Canyon? Attempts at description lead to paradoxes. Cave without a ceiling? Forest of stone? Even canyon is misleading since Bryce is carved by freeze-thaw cycles, not a river. Yet, “world’s largest pothole” is neither adequate nor flattering.”

The structures you see in Bryce Canyon are called hoodoos.The red, orange, and white rock is even more stunning in person. See more pictures tomorrow from our beautiful hike and hear about the characters (*cough* nudists) we met along the way!

Goodbye Arches, Hello… Snow?

// March 23rd, 2012 // 3 Comments » // America

Driving through Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Camping in Moab, and visiting the beautiful Arches National Park, we had gorgeous weather. We slept well, and it got really hot during the day. We welcomed this beautiful weather, since it had rained and hailed on us in Grand Canyon and rained on us in Mesa Verde as well. We left Moab and looked forward to driving through small towns and isolated areas to get to Bryce Canyon. I was in shorts and a tank top as we hit the road that afternoon.  (more…)

Utah’s Arches National Park aka A Climber’s Paradise

// March 21st, 2012 // 1 Comment » // America

Stella and I after climbing up into the Double Arch

I lived in Utah for four years and never went to the parks in Southern Utah. Heck, we even took a vacation to the parks in South Dakota and multiple trips to Yellowstone, but never ventured south. My parents went after I left for college, but 10 years later, I still had yet to go. When Stella and I planned our cross-country road trip we each picked our absolutely-must-not-miss destination. Hers was Miami and mine was the parks in southern Utah. After talking to my parents, doing a little research, and taking into account our limited time, we decided to visit Arches, Zion, and Bryce Canyon.  (more…)

US Road Trip Posts Resume- Here’s a Recap Thus Far

// March 13th, 2012 // 8 Comments » // America

My Route- Over 10,000 miles

I only got about halfway through my road trip musings when I took off for Istanbul and Kenya. Now that I’m home, it’s about time I resume writing about this amazing little trip I took. Before I pick up where I left off in Utah, here’s a recap of where Stella and I have been.  (more…)

Montage Monday: A Little Love for Hawaii

// February 20th, 2012 // 2 Comments » // America, Photo of the Week

I spent the summer of 2006 studying in Hawaii. And it was blissful. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. Since I started this blog well after that summer, I’d like to go back and share some of the amazing places I explored on Oahu, Kauai, and the Big Island. (more…)