Southwest trip - early to mid April 2019 (Capitol Reef NP, Natural Bridges NM, Valley of the Gods, Hovenweep NM)

Click on any image for a larger view

Burr Trail Road

Owachomo Bridge - Natural Bridges NM

Today is sunny and warm so we are sticking with our plan to take Burr Trail Road and Notom Road to Capitol Reef NP.  We take our time driving, getting out a few times to shoot more photos of the unbelievable geology.  The first portion of the road is paved; once we reach Capitol Reef NP the road turns to gravel.  Two wheel drive vehicles can make it over the road.  The only questionable part is the Burr Trail Switchbacks.

Southwest trip - early to mid April 2019 (Grand Staircase Escalante NM, Bryce Canyon NP, Utah Scenic Byway 12)

Click on any image for a larger view

Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument (GSENM)

Bryce Canyon NP

Our next stop is Kodachrome Basin State Park.  We have had many people ask us why we are not visiting Zion NP if we are going to Bryce Canyon NP.  I have read about Staircase Escalante National Monument, the geology is unbelievable in this area.  Cottonwood Canyon Road takes us through a portion of GSENM allowing us to see drastic uplifts of the surrounding terrain.  Cottonwood Canyon road is 40 miles of gravel and graded dirt road before arriving at Kodachrome Basin State Park.  The only gotcha’s are it has to be dry, and high-clearance vehicles are suggested.  We have both requirements covered.  Visiting the BLM visitor center for GSENM helps us make our decision.

Southwest trip - early to mid April 2019 (Canyon de Chelly, Monument Valley, Page, AZ)

Click on any image for a larger view

Antelope Canyon

This is our first camping trip since our mid-January Texas trip.  It’s not that we have been relaxing at home.  Various illnesses have occurred involving travel for each of us.  We are continuously planning our next trips for 2019 including this trip to AZ, and UT as our main destinations.  I will be posting them as I finish furiously working on the stories and images. We are continuing to work off our National Parks list with a few National Monuments included.  One of our retired friends mentioned that as they get near then end of their trips they are happy to get back home but within a few days they start planning their next trip; a never ending cycle.  We have fallen into that routine ourselves.