Don’t Chase the Lizards in Goblin Valley

Don’t Chase the Lizards in Goblin Valley

It’s weird — every park is a bit different. They all have different signs, warning about different things. Some seem to guarantee you’ll be attacked by a mountain lion if you dare to tread on the trails, other are totally blasé about it. Mountain lions? 

Hiking in Capitol Reef National Park

Hiking in Capitol Reef National Park

After our haphazard trip across mid-central-south Utah, we ended up in Capitol Reef National Park and wanted to chill for a few days in the relative warmth. Much to our surprise, so did a few hundred other people. Capitol Reef is always listed as one of 

Driving from Bryce Canyon National Park to Capitol Reef National Park

Driving from Bryce Canyon National Park to Capitol Reef National Park

We did the drive from the Bryce area to the Capitol Reef area in a day after striking out trying to camp at Kodachrome Basin State Park then striking out again at the campgrounds in the Dixie National Forest where temps were barely in the 

Bryce Canyon Does Not Stand Alone

Bryce Canyon Does Not Stand Alone

Bryce Canyon is really cool. Super gorgeous scenery, fun hiking, good wildlife. It’s a place you have to visit in your lifetime. But it’s busy, busy, busy, so we were planning to avoid it this time around. Instead, we focused on all the places around 

The Day We Almost Froze

The Day We Almost Froze

We try to keep an eye on the forecast as we’re traveling, but we’ve been hit with some weird stuff that we weren’t expecting — blizzards, haboobs, massive thunderstorms and windstorms, and plain old too hot and too cold temps. Most of the time we 

Zion’s South Campground Mayoral Address

Zion’s South Campground Mayoral Address

People of Zion’s South Campground, this is your mayor speaking. There are going to be some changes. Yes, the campground will stay first come, first served. However, we’re going to stick to the letter of that law instead of rewarding those that are most persistent, 

Zion Park Food Deals: Margaritas and Hot Dogs

Zion Park Food Deals: Margaritas and Hot Dogs

Zion National Park is in the boons. Closest town is Springdale, and stuff ain’t cheap. Natural Light, the 3.2 Utah version, was  priced $29 for a 30-pack at the local grocery store, Sol Foods. We’d paid $8 for a twelver only a couple days before! 

Hiking in Zion National Park

Hiking in Zion National Park

Zion National Park is my favorite place in the country, beating out even Death Valley. The trails and vistas in the park are so fantastic that they sometimes defy belief. These trails wouldn’t be built today, and I live in fear that they’ll finally be closed 

Transcript of Edward Abbey’s Zion Park Ranger Program

Transcript of Edward Abbey’s Zion Park Ranger Program

A few nights ago, we went to a ranger program at Zion about its wilderness areas. We left wondering what Edward Abbey would have said at one of these ranger programs. So we asked him. Hi, my name’s Edward Abbey. I was born in the 

How to Prepare for a Desert Hike

How to Prepare for a Desert Hike

Hiking in the desert is dangerous, right? Wrong. Dead wrong. It’s just like walking along the beach. There’s sand, there’s sun, you may even see some mirage water. If you can walk along the beach, you can hike in the desert. First: remove your shirt. 

The Damn Glen Canyon Dam and Page, AZ

The Damn Glen Canyon Dam and Page, AZ

Edward Abbey wrote movingly about the beauties of Glen Canyon. In many stories, including those in the compilation Down the River, he lovingly relates his adventures in the massive canyon formed by the Colorado and San Juan Rivers as they converge and pass through southern 

Goosenecks State Park in Utah

Goosenecks State Park in Utah

If we hadn’t been screwed in Monument Valley, we would have never stumbled upon Goosenecks State Park. There’s not much to the park, really, just a pit toilet and a parking lot you can camp in (for free). No water, no real trails, just the