Landscapes
Tonto National Monument
The Southwest trip was ending and we drove the old Apache Trail (Hwy 188) to visit the Tonto National Monument. Here they have two cliff dwellings (one was closed) of the Salado people that lived in the Tonto Basin roughly 700 years ago. To get to the dwelling there is a steep path with switchbacks to get up the cliff. As I stood along the mouth of the entrance looking over the basin, I could only image how the people traveled throughout the area without modern conveniences.
Monument and Mystery Valley
Last day in Monument Valley and we took a guided tour of Mystery Valley.
Monument Valley Tribal Park
We had arrived late to Monument Valley Tribal Park but in time to catch the setting sun illuminating the mesas and give the sandstone some added pop. The week before we arrived, the valley had 16″ of snow. While most of it had melted, there was still some areas with snow on it and it added some interesting contrast to the photos.
Owachomo Bridge and US-261
We spent a afternoon at Natural Bridges National Park. Owachomo Bridge was already in shadow but it didn’t make this bridge any less spectacular than the previous two we visited earlier. This was however, the easiest to get to from the Rim Overlook. It was late and we needed to get to Monument Valley before night fall. This meant a ‘shortcut’ down US 261 also known as the Moki Dugway. A seemingly nice country road until the pavement ends and for 3 miles or so it turns into a steep, twisty dirt road with views of the Valley of the Gods and the Goosenecks.
Canyonlands – Utah
First day in the Canyonlands area. Spend the entire day hiking all over buttes and mesas! We scrambled on slickrock and scree and found amazing views and historical finds around every bend.
Night in Arches National Park
The full moon was a few nights before but it still provided great lighting in the park.
Exploring Arches National Park
Stayed in Moab, Utah a few days and was able to explore Arches National Park. Amazing sandstone carved arches and landscape. We also found some petroglyphs on our hike.
Snowy Taylor Creek
Went for a walk along Taylor Creek yesterday morning just after the snow storm from the night before.
Oak Shadows and Sunlight
Out for a morning walk in Calaveras County, near the Mokelumne River yesterday. Rolling hills and oaks in shadow with the sun light peeking through.
Almost Frozen Over
Happy New Year! This is Caples Lake, seen from the shore it is almost frozen over. A few more weeks and this lake will be completely frozen.
Snapshots by Kats 