328 days

Can you believe it took me 328 days to travel across the country? I still can't! This journey isn't over, and in so many ways it's only just begun! 

So often it feels like a wild, farfetched dream. I spend hours going through my blog just to remind myself this extraordinary journey is real. The most real, organic, authentic, scary, crazy, joyous, preposterous, come-to-Jesus experience of my life. Just me and Lulu, alone on the road. No plan. No direction. Hmmm, should I take a left or right? Should I stay in this campground or that campground? In that instant, with that one quick decision, the path of my journey changes forever: who I meet, where I go, what I experience. It's been an Olympic size leap of faith, all the while singing country music at the top of my lungs and smiling until my teeth hurt. I didn't know what it was like to truly live, until now.  

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grand canyon north rim!

Looking for tranquility and solitude? While I highly recommend quitting your job, buying a teardrop camper and traveling the country, I realize that might be a little out of reach for most grown ups. If that's the case, then do the next best thing: take a trip to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and stay at the Grand Canyon Lodge! You'll thank me, I promise!  

The best view of the North Rim is located through the sunroom of the Lodge. You don't need to stay at the Lodge to take advantage of the spectacular view -- although I recommend it and when I start vacationing in establishments that provide real beds again, this is top on my list. 

The walk from the sunroom to the various view points is breathtaking. You can't help but sigh and smile. :)

Adirondack chairs are very New England and make me very happy. They line the overlook on both the east and west entrance of the sunroom. I sat for awhile just smiling -- because that's all you can do; it's involuntary. :)  

Sunroom of the Grand Canyon Lodge. Amazing view in the most tranquil, sublime setting.

zion national park : emerald pools

First off, I should begin by telling you the "Emerald" Pools are not emerald! At least not yet anyway. When I asked about this obvious problem, the ranger said they'll turn "emerald" in about a month. Helpful information I could have used YESTERDAY! Apparently the "green" algae needs time to grow, which then gives the pools their "emerald" effect. While "emerald" pools would be much prettier (because now it just looks like dirty water), it was a nice hike.

view from under the falls!

view of the "not so emerald" lower pool. Told you it looked like dirty water!

lower falls
upper falls (middle was closed). 

zion: hebrew for refuge or sanctuary

MORE DESERT BIG HORN SHEEP! 

Other than spotting a rocky mountain big horn from a distance in Glacier National Park, I've never really seen one, and definitely not this many! Hence why I took so many photos! These are desert big horn here in Zion, but BIG HORN none-the-less (well, little horn in this case)! I loved photographing these guys!

zion national park : full of big horn trouble makers!!

Ram #1: "Were you looking at my woman?"    Ram #2: "So what if I was?"

Ram #1: "I'm gonna kick your skinny ram #ss, that's what!

zion national park: the circle of life!

May not be suitable for children. Unless of course you want to have the birds and the bees conversation!

volunteering at the best friend's animal sanctuary!

Best Friend's "No Kill" Animal Sanctuary was started back in 1970 by 22 loving, dedicated, risk-everything-for-a-dream group of friends who envisioned a refuge where animals could live their lives in a comfortable, loving environment, safe from harm and cruelty. In 1982, these dreamers pooled their resources and bought 3,000 acres of breathtaking high desert canyon in the wilds of Southern Utah, now known as Angel Canyon – home to the most beloved sanctuary in the world. It truly is a remarkable story of love and triumph.

While the number fluctuates, BFAS is home to roughly 2,000 animals from all over the country. Everything from horses,

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bryce canyon driving tour!

Weather was stormy and unpredictable my first day at Bryce so I opted for the Bryce Driving Tour. Unlike some of the other National Parks that are magnificently beautiful, but not clearly marked (Zion for example), Bryce has its "view points" conveniently located and marked right off the 18 mile main park road, requiring very little walking making the beauty accessible to everyone. While spectacular, I still highly recommend a hike or horse back ride through the canyon!! 

View points: Fairyland Point • Sunrise Point • Sunset Point • Inspiration Point (sounds like Happy Days!) • Bryce Point • Paria View • Fairview Point • Natural Bridge • Agua Canyon • Ponderosa Canyon • Black Birch Canyon • Rainbow Point • Yovinpa Point

 Natural Bridge

Black Birch Canyon

Bryce Point

Fairview Point (it recently snowed!) 

bryce canyon fun fact :

Bristlecone pine trees litter the landscape throughout Bryce Canyon. Dating back 1,700 years, they are the oldest living things in the world!