Best State Park?

Kodachrome Basin State Park 

When deciding on which state park to stay at, in this area, we were torn between Escalante Petrified Forest State Park and Kodachrome Basin State Park. We were happy with our decision to stay at Petrified Forest because of the adjacent reservoir for swimming and fishing and of course the chance to see a petrified forest. We did take a day trip to Kodachrome to check out the unusual spires (or pipes) that the park is known for and do some hiking. Kodachrome became a state park the year I was born and got it’s name from  Kodak’s popular film by that name mainly because of the multicolored monoliths nestled beneath bright blue skies; not the Paul Simon song.

Looking pretty on petrified wood 

Arches & Canyons Without the Crowds

Devil’s Garden

We were worried, being in this popular area, in Utah, for Labor Day weekend, that the crowds would be intense. The campground we are staying in is full, but there are only 22 campsites so the crowds we worried about are in the neighboring National Parks, not here at Grand Staircase National Monument.  Because Mark and I visited Zion, Bryce Canyon and Arches National Parks a few years ago we haven’t  felt  pressured to revisit those parks and have enjoyed some of the lesser known gems in this area. The Grand Staircase is a series of colorful cliffs that extend north from the north rim of the Grand Canyon to Bryce Canyon. It covers 1.9 million acres and has sandstone canyons, plateaus, arches and unique rock formations. What it doesn’t have are crowds!

Natural Bridge

Peek-a-boo Slot Canyon

The Beehive State

It wasn’t until we crossed into Utah, and headed south, that we realized we had gotten use to seeing everything through a smoky haze. Scenic Byway 12 was the perfect place for the air to clear and our first glimpses of Red Canyon seemed to be in high definition. The state of Utah could qualify as one enormous National Park and with only three weeks to spend here we are like “kids in a candy shop”, planning our schedule. So far we’ve spent three nights at Jordanelle State Park, near Heber Valley, then traveled to Escalante Petrified Forest State Park for our first full week. After day one we are happy but a bit overwhelmed with so much at our fingertips.

Hike to Calf Creek Lower Falls

Leaving Yellowstone

Old Faithful 

As we leave Montana, Idaho & Wyoming (the three states that share Yellowstone National Park) there is no question this has been an amazing two weeks in an amazing place. We were able to get in a few last minute adventures before heading to Utah; one last trip into the park to see Old Faithful and an afternoon learning about the 1959 Yellowstone Earthquake, measuring 7.2, that killed 28 people and created Quake Lake. So much history! So much beauty!

Memorial Rock at Quake Lake

Henry’s Lake Part 2

Henry’s Lake wasn’t even on our itinerary, when we planned this trip, so it’s pretty ironic we will probably stay longer in this park than any other. It’s proximity to Yellowstone is a huge perk but the easy access to beautiful trails in Targhee National Forest has been wonderful too. We’ve also felt very safe leaving our trailer overnight, at our campsite, while visiting family and friends. Another nice surprise has been revisiting friends we’ve met on the road who wound up at this park too. We loved our time with Debbie, who is on the road for a year, solo, other than her two dogs, Gabby and Grizzly. We met Debbie pulling her two traveling companions behind her “Jimmy Buffet” inspired bike, at Lewis & Clark SP and couldn’t believe we met up again at Henry’s Lake.We also got to catch up with fellow Airstreamers, Jim and Marsha, from Colorado , who we met on our first big trip to Arkansas in 2017. It really is a small, small world!

Debbie, Gabby and Grizzly 

Free kayak checkout at Henry’s Lake 

Yellowstone

Even though we have visited Yellowstone National Park before, it’s such an enormous park there are still plenty of things for us to see and experience. This trip we concentrated on the Canyon section and Norris Geyser Basin. Following our traditional mode of operation, for National Parks, we got up super early and were through the park gates around 5:30 am. We had the whole place to ourselves for a couple hours.We loved the classic beauty of the falls and canyons and the surreal nature of the geyser basin.

Alone with Vixen Geyser 

Emerald Spring

Idaho Family Time

Lottie, Poppy & Starbaby

One of the main objectives of this trip was to touch base with family and to meet babies that had been born since our last visit four years ago. The timing worked out perfectly for us to spend time with our
grand nieces, Lottie, Poppy and Finley and to help celebrate nephew, Amund’s birthday. We loved our time in Pocatello and Malad. We know that traveling is all about the journey, not the destination but it was nice to have a “goal” for this trip and to achieve it. Thanks to the Evan’s and Ingersolls for the terrific weekend!

Happy birthday Amund!

Pool time with Grandpa 

Fun in Malad