Van Cronicles #3: UTAH!

The American southwest is so austerely lovely, Utah seems to be the northern gateway to deep desert paths, eco-systems, ancient culture, and big sky day through night. Tremendous exploration has been afoot.  So much so that I've found myself taking less photos and being more in awe of my surroundings. 

Lichen, such bright and vivid life in the desert.   I am just drawn to fungi. Here are some various kinds I saw in Utah.
 Grand Staircase Escalante-National Monument.

Capital Reef National Park ~ Utah

Nearing Butch Cassidy's hideout in Capital Reef

View from below of Ponderosa Pine,  after a long day back packing in "the Box"

Bryce Canyon

When pulled over at Bryce Canyon, several tourists took photos of the Van, so I did too!  It is a wonder!!  And yes seven mammals have been living and roaming the west in it's cabin! Josh has been sharing our travels via the van too in his blog octopusincorporated.wordpress.com, which is a fine blog indeed!

Slot canyon in Escalante.  Talk about pondering the course of water.

Van Travels, Cronicle #2: Canada, Montana and Idaho. Woah.

Time on the road seems to idle, speed and generally move about in a warped manner.  Since last I blogged we've been following warm weather which has led us through Vancouver Island, BC, across the southernmost part of the Canada, then back to the U.S. thru Montana and now we're enjoying the loveliness and warmth of a friend's home in Pocatello, ID before heading to Utah.  What a majestic planet we live on.  

Coastal view of Ucluelet, BC.  Tiffany and I saw a black bear lolling about the basalt here.  Can you find the bear?

View from Toffino, BC.  A surfing mecca.

Heading East through Canada thru the northern Cascades we passed thru an odd eco-tone, a climate where it was quite arid and hot.  Here's a view from above of  Osoyoos, BC.

We ended up at Manning Provincial Park, the terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail in Canada.  I thought how odd it would be to find myself her in  a few years after hiking 1,500 miles. Luna and I hiked to Derek Falls. Amazing.

On our way east we had breakfast overlooking the park.  Here I've captured a wild-photo-snapping creature at the summit.

We stopped in Missoula, MT after heading back stateside.  I have to say it has been my favorite community to pass through.  Friendly down to earth folks who like the outdoors and good food.  We started our walk about in town at a bakery, where I enjoyed a nice piece of cherry pie and a cup of coffee in honor of David Lynch.

We camped and hiked in the Bitterroot National Forest near Crazy Creek.  Here Stella is instructing me on a novel way to walk Nala, the wonder dog.

Pines near Medicine Rock, Bitterroot Natl. Forest. 

Self photo sitting shotgun in the "ARRGH" Headed south into Idaho. 

Mt. Morah, the tallest peak in Idaho. 

The neapolitan pack ready for a walk about. 

Big sky and big peak country as we neared Craters of the Moon Natl.  Monument.

Sunset at our campsite at Craters of the Moon. 

Lava tube opening, Indian Cave.  The Shoshone would migrate thru the lava flows and seek shelter in this cave. Stella and I rock scrambled and sought snacks here.

Abundance of colorful lichen on the ancient lava flows.

The garden abundance that greeted us when we arrived in Pocatello, ID.