Road trip across the US with Dan - May 2011

I haven't written in AGES! Well, since March 2011, which was 1 year ago - quite a while! So I have A LOT to catch up on.... Lets start with last May. Dan and I flew to California and, after spending some time catching up with Margaret, packed up our belongings and headed east in my little subaru! First stop - Joshua Tree!! 

Cholla Cactuses (teddy bear cactuses)!!! Only grow in a small pocket in the park - 

pretty phenomenal things

Me and Dan with the chollas

Boulders in the campground. 

Sunset over the boulders

Next stop - Zion National Park, Utah. Amazing redrocks and huge views! We stayed one night in the campground at the entrance, then ventured north. We hiked into our second campsite, down a valley 2 miles to set up camp. Then we went on a hike to see the world's largest arch..

Getting ready to leave for the journey!

Gorgeous mountains we hiked around - started on the left side and ended up on the right.

Little waterfalls and a huge canyon

Very tall canyon wall....

Next stop, Grand Canyon -- North Rim, Arizona. We found the most incredible campspot that not many people know about! Only one spot 1 mile hike to the rim, and we slept about 5 feet from the rim - exhilarating!!! 

The FLAT drive to the canyon

WE FOUND IT!!! 

And isn't it GRAND!! 

Dan standing on a ledge....

Another incredible view.....

Beautiful cactus flowers

 Onwards northeast to Arches National Park in Utah!!! Red rocks EVERYWHERE and crazy spires and arches dot the road...

Balancing Rock

Dan trying to jump into the arch

Red Canyon wall meets the sky..... 

All in all it was an incredible journey. Dan got to see the expanse of the might U.S. and we both got to experience the mighty west and its amazing rocks and views.