My Dad took us all on summer vacation “out west” in Summer of 1981. He wanted his family to experience the beauty of America, as he experienced it through the lens of his camera. We visited the spectacular vistas of Bryce, experienced the history of Mesa Verde, boated on Lake Mead, and hiked the riverbed in Zion. We camped at Grand Canyon-North Rim, where my dad was mistaken for the mule driver due to his long grey beard. But camping at Zion was the most memorable, due to the crashing thunderstorm and flash flood that occurred in the middle of the night, leaving my parents floating on air mattresses inside the tent, while my brother and I took refuge in the station wagon. By the time we got to Black Canyon of the Gunnison, about 3 weeks later, my brother and I refused to get out of the car, as two teens of 14 and 16, we were all tripped out! Looking back, my father left me a legacy of travel and photography that I embrace to this day. I’ve taken my children to Yosemite, Cape Cod, and National Historic Sites in Boston, Philly and Washington DC. On my bucket list is Grand Teton and Yellowstone.
Sincerely,
Zion National Park
Free-flowing rivers cut through multi-hued sedimentary rock to form Zion's deep and spectacular canyons. Park trails lead visitors to dramatic rock formations, hanging gardens, scenic vistas, ancient rock art and natural arches. People have lived in Zion’s landscape for at least 8,000 years, and the park's prehistoric art and artifacts tell the stories of the area’s previous inhabitants. The park also provides habitat for a variety of wildlife and large mammals, hardy desert plants like cholla and juniper, and rare and threatened birds like the peregrine falcon, California condor and Mexican spotted owl.
State(s): Utah
Established: 1909
“There is nothing like them in the world!! The natural beauty of America is beyond comparison. I am changed for the better because of my visit to Yosemite!”
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Greetings from Zion National Park
This is from February 2015. It seemed like I waited a long time to get this pic. So worth it!
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Greetings from Zion National Park
My trip to Zion reignited my passion for our country’s national parks with its beauty and challenging hiking trails. My first hike was the Angel’s Landing Trail. At 53 years of age, and two knee surgeries in the previous year, I questioned my ability to make it to the top.…
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