Landscapes

Joshua Tree Park Overview

In the Joshua Tree National Park, we decided to take to Ryan Mountain Trail to enjoy the sunset at the top of the mountain. While going up the summit we had a wonderful view over the park.

Joshua Tree National Park

From Grand Canyon, we headed back to the west coast down to San Diego. But before we arrived there we visited the Joshua Tree National Park. We arrived there in the late afternoon and were impressed by the landscape.

Area Closed

To get back to the car we were forced to find a different way as the direct path was blocked because of too much snow. But luckily, the sky behind the blocked path, was very dramatically because the sun was behind one of those snow clouds.

Grand Canyon Sunset behind Clouds

On our way back to the car there was an awesome sunset. Unfortunately, there were a lot of clouds around so I was not able to get a clear view of the sunset but with the snow and the awesome light, it was a wonderful moment. As see this picture again I still cannot believe how much snow there was around. Normally, this is a desert-like environment.

Snow

While walking around and saw a new breathtaking outlook every step we also could not believe that this area is normally a desert and on that day in January 2019 it was completely covered with snow. Even the trees were completely covered with snow.

Grand Canyon with Snow

Every minute on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon makes the clouds go away and the canyon was getting visible more and more. But the sun was already setting down and it was cold. But before we left, we could have some amazing views on the Grand Canyon covered with snow.

Grand Canyon Overlook

After a long day on the road and heavy snow on the last miles, we finally arrived at the Grand Canyon. First, there was so much fog, that we couldn't see anything. But from time to time, there are some holes in the fog and the huge canyon was visible. As we were already late because of the detour we made, the sun was going down and the light was awesome.

Little Colorado River

While heading to Grand Canyon, the snow gets higher and the sky looks not promising. After the tour from Page to Grand Canyon we arrived at the East Rim and saw that the road to our destination, Grand Canyon South Rim, was closed, due to the heavy snow. So we had only one chance to get there, turn and follow the road to Flagstaff. Only 250miles instead of 25miles. While driving back we found a short trail towards the Little Colorado River and decided to stop for some minutes to rest before we will drive towards the main destination for this day.

Bitter Springs

On our way from Page to Grand Canyon, we had a short liaison with the police from Page. They stopped us as we tried to leave Page and as we know, that the police in the USA works much different than here in Germany we had a short moment of uncertainty. But luckily, the kind policemen just recommended a different route to Grand Canyon, due to the heavy snowfall of the last few days. This was a great recommendation, as we had a wonderful view, down the road to Bitter Springs.

Horseshoe Bend Differently

Even if you visit the most awesome places, it is always good advice to look for details and do a step back. Especially, if the awesome place is the deep canyon and you have fear of heights.

Horseshoe Bend

From Monument Valley to Page was a long trip during heavy snow, but we made it just before sunset and could visit Horseshoe Bend. For me, it was hard to take pictures there, as I'm afraid of heights. But I did my best to get a good shot of the horseshoe-shaped canyon.

The Big Three

While driving the Scenic Drive through Monument Valley, we for sure got a fantastic view of the gigantic stone formation in the valley.

Monument Valley Street

On our way to Page, we visited Monument Valley as well. While going to Monument Valley there is the typical picture of the long street going to the Valley. Unfortunately, this was the first day with bad weather but seeing the desert with snow was very impressive. The snow will make the trip to our next destination very challenging.

Dead Horse Point Overlock

The sun did a great job and painted the mountains in the shining direction in beautiful colors while looking down the canyon. The other thing is the feeling that you can look until the horizon and further. This is something which I have not seen so often before.

Sunset at Dead Horse Point

While waiting for the sunset at Dead Horse Point, we saw some birds flying around. After some tries, I've got them on the picture, together with the awesome landscape. In the background, you see the Canyonlands National Park. Unfortunately, we couldn't go there as well, but the time at the Dead Horse Point during sunset what incredible.

Goblin Volley Desert

While walking around in Goblin Valley during winter with snow, you totally forget that this area is normally a desert. There are only some small flowers and no trees at all. But nature still is awesome and behind every corner, you get a new fantastic view.

Goblin Valley

On our trip to Moab, we stopped in Goblin Valley. We were alone there as well. And it was fascinating to go through these wood of stones, and all look like goblins. We had some wonderful hours there, going through the labyrinth of stones. And even if they look quite concrete, they are not. Only the top is a rock, and the rest below is sand. It is fascinating what nature can do.

Sunset Point in Capitol Reef

Finally, we arrived at the sunset point and we had a wonderful view over Capitol Reef. We were alone there and could enjoy the moment. Together as fresh wife and husband, these moments are special and they will come more of those special moments during our life together. Enjoying the wonderful moments together and work on the bad ones to make them beautiful.

Dead Tree in Capitol Reef

We had a one-day stop in Capitol Reef and is we were alone (nearly) there. Our car was the only one in the parking lot and we only saw one other group of people but saw marks of a puma. As we were alone on the track, we started thinking about the fact, what will happen if something happens. No one knows where we are. But the beautiful nature gave us that many impressions that we throw away those thoughts. On the way up the mountain, we found this dead tree which looks quite awesome.

Lonely Road

As I already posted some pictures from our trip to the USA in Winter 2019. It was a three-week trip through the western part of the USA. It was our honeymoon as we got married in summer 2018. The first thing we noticed was the open land and the empty and lonely roads, at least if you leave the cities. We enjoyed the freedom and loneliness. It was a wonderful trip, one of the best I did so far. If you like to know what we've visited just follow my account. I will post more pictures during the next weeks.

Bryce Canyon Sunset

After we were back to the rim, after a long and hard way up, the sun was going down. The top of the rocks are still illuminated by the sun, but the valley is already in the dark. This and the snow, together with the outlook make this Bryce Canyon sunset one moment you will never forget.

Queens Garden Trail

Even if there was a lot of snow during our visit to Bryce Canyon and the way down was slippery, we took the chance and enjoyed and fantastic trail adventure on the Queens Garden Trail. We were almost alone and as we arrived late at the canyon, we needed to hurry later to get back before it got dark.

Bryce Canyon Overlook

After a one night stop in Vegas, we drove to Bryce Canyon. We started in the desert of Nevada with 10 degrees and came to Bryce during the late afternoon with -10 degrees. But with a blue sky and the snow the Bryce Canyon Overlook, our first impression of this National Park, was so awesome, I still get the heebie-jeebies. From my point of view, the best place to be during our trip.