November 15, 2016

A Dog-Less Road Trip - But Not Totally

Remember I posted recently about Rita's car anxiety and the triple-whammy I was going to try to use on her for our upcoming road trip? Well, I didn't have to triple-whammy her, because at the last minute things worked out for her to stay and play with Reg. (Yay! She loves Reg and hadn't seen him in a while!)
Reg & Rita - Reunited!

This worked out well for our trip, because originally we'd planned for her to NOT come along and made plans to hike in Zion and Bryce National Parks. Well, then it looked like she'd be coming with us, so I started researching Utah state parks with dog-friendly hikes. But, then in the end she didn't come, so we were able to revisit Zion and Bryce, which was where we'd gone on our honeymoon 20 years ago.

Even though this isn't a very dog-full post, I thought I'd share a few select vaca pics. (Do you hate when folks share their vaca pics? I like to see a few - ya' know... not every single one, but, yeah, hit me with the highlights!)

On the way to Utah, we drove through the Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada and saw the "Elephant Rock." Really cool!

First stop once we got to Utah was Zion where we did the Emerald Pools hike (see the water trickling down?)...


...and we tacked the Grotto hike on to that. If you've never been to Zion, the best word for it is majestic! Unfortunately the lighting wasn't right to get a great pic of the main canyon, but this gives you an idea.

We also did the Canyon Overlook hike, which was steep in spots, but short. Again, due to the time of day, I couldn't get great pics of the canyon, but I did get some of the big horn sheep we saw!
Click to bigify and see the sheep better

The next day we went to Bryce, where we hiked the Navajo Loop...


...and Peekaboo Canyon (beautiful but hard! Literally - up/down, up/down, up/down, up/down, up/down).

If you've never been to Bryce, it's geographically fairly close to Zion but so different with all it's "hoodoos". This is one of the most famous hoodoos - Thor's Hammer.


Next, it was back to Zion to hike the Narrows (a slot canyon hike along a riverbed). We'd wanted to do this 20 years ago, but they were having flash flood watch so we said no thank you!

It was deep in spots (and we have long legs!) and the water was running pretty quickly, so it was hard work on the way upstream, but coming back was much easier! A very awesome hike if you ever get the chance to do it! (But rent the shoes and the neoprene socks and the pants - especially if you go in November like we did!)
Do these waders make my butt look big? Don't care - they're warm!

We also did a guided tour (the only way in) of Lower Antelope Canyon in AZ, which was amazingly beautiful!



In some spots there are cool shapes... like this evil face in this shot:


This "wind woman" was one of my faves.


Anyway, as I teased in the title, the trip - even though Rita didn't come along - was not totally dog-less (thank, dog!).

For one thing, we went into a gallery in Kanab (looking for dog-art) and we found this fantastic greeter!

The other reason it wasn't dog-less is because we spent a day at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary! But you'll have to come back next week to hear about that!

As for Rita, I don't think she missed us one bit, but she put on her "oh, I thought you were never coming back!" routine when we went to pick her up. :)

We love the national parks - but we sure wish you could take your pups along on all the hikes!

What about you? Have you been to some of the national parks? Do you have a favorite?

Thanks to BlogPaws for hosting Wordless Wednesday! Stop by their site to check out all of the other blogs in the hop.

47 comments:

  1. Those pictures are beautiful, thanks for sharing. I'm glad you didn't have to hit Rita with that triple whammy. I felt so bad for her a couple weeks ago. and I think both places are on my bucket list now. I love meeting random dogs, they are the highlight of my travels. I once met a shabby mutt in Costa Rica who followed me through a whole little town as long as I kept feeding him scraps. It's like dogs around the world are there for you to keep you from feeling homesick.

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    1. I love meeting random dogs when we travel too. I have so many photos from random dogs we've met over the years! My hubby used to laugh at me, but now he totally gets it! :)

      BTW... I doubt you'll see this... but I'm assuming you also have a blog, which I'd love to visit, but I don't see your blog name when I click on your G+ profile. I'm determined to find you!

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  2. You found some beautiful sites! Great photos! Sometimes Mom says it is just easier to go without us. We don't mind too much as we usually get to go along and sometimes resting at home is a better idea.

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    1. It really is easier to go without the pups sometimes - especially if you have a good set up for leaving them behind. I always have no worries (well, almost NO worries.... I can't help sometimes worrying a tiny bit... it's what I do!) when we leave Rita with Reg.

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  3. You got some beautiful shots! It sounds like a wonderful trip.

    I've been to Bryce and Zion, but it was years ago. On the East Coast, two must sees are Acadia National Park in Maine (so awesome!), and closer to home Shenandoah National Park via Skyline drive. Dogs welcome in both!

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    1. Oh, that's cool that dogs are welcome in both! I have been to Shenandoah - many many many moons ago with my parents when I was little. And Acadia is most definitely on my list. In fact, the hubs and I have a goal of seeing ALL the nat'l parks.

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  4. Gosh, these shots are all amazing. We spent a few days at Best Friends last June on our way to BlogPaws. It was right in the middle of the heat wave so we didn't make it to Zion or Bryce - I so want to go back and visit both.

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    1. It was really unseasonably warm while we were there - the gal at BF said it was about 20 degrees warmer than usual for Nov. It was low 70s each day - although the day we did Peekaboo in Bryce it was only supposedly in the 50s but it was still so warm, what with the sun beating down on us and constant uphill hiking. Can't imagine how hot it would be in the summer so definitely not the best time to go! Hopefully you'll make it back there one day.

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  5. Those are stunning pictures. I really like the evil face one and wind woman. Of course, the elephant rock is utterly fantastic. It's great Rita got to vacation with Reg. At least you got to enjoy yourself and know she was safe and sound. I totally think Walmart should transition to dog greeters!

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    1. Thanks! I love that wind woman! And, yes, Walmart dog greeters would be awesome! I might shop there then! :)

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  6. I really wish we could take dogs into National parks. It screws up our plans quite often. We are lucky though, that we can plan a half day hike and leave the dogs in the RV. Generally this works ok. Great shots. We haven't been to that part of Utah for a while, and we always have liked it there.

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    1. I bet that screws up your plans a lot! But leaving them in the RV for a half day sounds like a good option. Does it get hot in the RV? I ask, because the hubs and I have a dream of some day taking an RV across country and visiting ALL the Nat'l parks - but that would be hard to do with Rita. (Of course, this also assumes she'll enjoy riding in an RV more than she enjoys the car.....)

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  7. I love vaca photos and feel bad for anyone who's hated mine...We've been to both Bryce Canyon and Zion and majestic is a perfect way to describe both. We were there during the summer and Bryce was HOT! It really did make you feel like you were on Mars!
    We haven't been to Lower Antelope Canyon, but your graceful photos make me want to see it someday.

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    1. Oh, man - I can imagine how Bryce in summer would be like Mars! As I mentioned in a comment above, even with the cool Nov weather it was pretty hot hiking there. I would think summer would be unbearable!

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  8. Awww, what a beautiful post (and no! I always love to see vacation pics so please do keep sharing!!). I've never been to Bryce Canyon or Zion and both are on my bucket list of destinations.

    Stopping in from BlogPaws and hope you are having a great week!

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    1. Definitely bucket-list-worthy places!

      Thanks for stopping by!

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  9. Looks like a really fun trip - got a question for you - Would Rita enjoy riding in cars if Reg was with her? Just a thought

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    1. Hmm. I wonder?? They've never ridden in the car before for a long ride. Reg doesn't mind the car so maybe he'd have a good effect on her. Maybe we need to get her a therapy dog....

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  10. We really need to make it down to see Zions and Bryce Canyon - they sure look beautiful
    hugs
    Mr Bailey, Hazel & Mabel

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  11. I've been to Bryce... amazing colors. Why in the world won't they allow dogs. Wolves are there, and dogs share 99% dna. Oy! Ignorance. LeeAnna

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    1. I'm sure it's cuz some DADOs (dumb-a$$ dog owners) ruined it for the rest of us!

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  12. What fabulous pics! The hikes looked as amazing as all your images. And sweet Rita...glad she was able to spend some quality Reg time. ღ

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    1. The hiking was fantastic! Wish we lived close enough to go more often!

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  13. Cape Cod National Seashore is my favorite place on earth (and happens to, by default, be my favorite national park! lol!). Great pics! I love seeing vacation pictures. Poor Rita looks so worried at the end. The greeter dog has the same coloring as Cooper!

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    1. Oh, I want to go there! I've never been to Cape Cod but would love to go. And, yes he has Copper's coloring and good looks!

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  14. I love vacation photos and especially these, which are particularly stunning. Glad you had fun, and so cool that Rita got to have her own little vacation with Reg. I always wonder about dog relationships. They seem simple yet deep, kind of like our own childhood friendships. Cheers and have a great week.

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    1. I like that - that dog friendships are like our childhood friendships. That's sweet!

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  15. What absolutely gorgeous hikes! I had planned to do a few strolls last summer before BlogPaws, but work and other things prevented the long drive from Oregon to Arizona. Really regretting that now.

    Jean from Welcome to the Menagerie

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    1. It probably would have been so hot at that time of year, but still beautiful to see and nice for a stroll. But life and work do have a tendency to get in the way sometimes if things we want to do!

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  16. what a very cool trip, neat photos! Rits probably had a better time terrorizing reggie.

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  17. Those photos are incredible so I can imagine how breathtaking this was in person. Thanks for sharing them with us. I'm glad Rita had fun too.

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    1. Thanks. It was one of the best hiking trips we've done in years!

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  18. Fantastic pictures! Utah is one state that someday we will visit. We agree with Taryn about Shenandoah National Park, we've been there a few times. Our fave in Ontario is Mississagi Provincial Park, way off the beaten path but worth the drive for the hiking.

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    1. I think my hubby had been there before (he's Canadian). We'd like to check out all the US parks and the Canadian ones as well some day!

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  19. It's a really gorgeous part of the country!

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  20. I'm glad Rita got a nice getaway and you did as well. Your photos are stunning, even the ones where you thought the lighting was not as great. I can't wait to hear about your trip to Best Friends, I'm totally jealous!

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  21. I thoroughly enjoyed your photos. I love to see vacation photos, in moderation, of course. :)
    I'm glad Rita had a happy place to be, I'm sure that gave you a little more relaxation on your trip, not having to worry about her.
    Can't wait to hear more about Best Friends too!

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    1. It's SO nice to not have to worry about Rita when we travel!

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  22. Wow cool pictures. I have been to Badlands National Park which is a really cool place. Also Glacier Bay in Alaska and Everglades in Florida. In Michigan we have Isle Royal but I have not been (it is a long boat ride to even get there). We have a lot of National Lakeshores here in Michigan and I have been to most of them. Pictured Rocks is fabulous. We also like National Battlefield Parks. :)

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    1. We went to Badlands this summer - it was very cool. I've never been to Alaska or FL, but I'd definitely be interested in visiting Glacier Bay! So many great parks!

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  23. Beautiful photos - thanks for sharing them.
    I've been only to a few parks (Yellowstone, Tetons, Yosemite) but I've enjoyed everyone of them. They really are a national treasure and I hope to see more.

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    1. If I've been to Yellowstone (maybe as a kid?) I don't remember it. I really need to go there! Also would love to see the Tetons. I've been to Yosemite several times - so pretty there!

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  24. hello pooch smooches its dennis the vizsla dog hay my dada sez that first rock elefant rock luks like it is the erth dooing a fayse palm he sez he has ben dooing that a lot laytly i do not no why tho!!! and wow the kanyon is ful of hoodoos??? is that ware the faymus minstrels the hoodoo gurus come frum??? ok bye

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    1. OMD, Dennis, I have also been doing a lot of face-palming lately so I can relate to your dad! I think you must be right about the hoodoo gurus!

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