Why Utah?

“Why on Earth are you going to Utah?”

I got asked that question, in one form or another, so many times before I visited there a couple of years back. My response was always, “Why not?”

Let me get something straight:

I.     Love.     Utah!

In fact, Utah was on my Bucket List twice. Firstly, because Sue, Rich and I (successfully)set ourselves the target of visiting every state in the Union by New Years Eve of 2013. By that reckoning, Utah was state #46.

The second reason for Utah being on my Bucket List is simply because it’s Utah. And I’ve always wanted to go there!

Admittedly, if your idea of a fun vacation revolves around beaches and nightlife, then Utah probably isn’t your dream destination. But for anyone who loves the Great Outdoors, Utah’s the place to be! I mean, how could anyone who’s ever seen a John Wayne movie not want to go there?

View from Brian Head

Cedar Breaks National Monument

Zion National Park

Grafton ghost town, near Zion

Being the Beehive State, Utah’s State colours are black and yellow. Personally, I think it should be orange. After all, its endless desert landscapes contain every shade from amber to vermillion. Especially at sunrise and sunset.

Monument Valley straddles the border with Arizona

Monument Valley: even the night is tinged with orange out here in the desert

Monument Valley at sunrise

And the graceful intricacy of the some of the erosional features has to be seen to be believed. Particularly at Arches and Bryce Canyon National Parks.

Delicate Arch in Arches National Park

Next time I’ll make sure I have enough time to hike to Delicate Arch

Skyline Arch, Arches National Park

Broken Arch, Arches National Park

Balanced Rock, Arches National Park

The Amphitheatre, Bryce Canyon National Park

Another view of the Amphitheatre, Bryce Canyon National Park

Heading down into the Amphitheatre among the hoodoos, Bryce Canyon National Park

Redwoods and hoodoos, the Amphitheatre, Bryce Canyon National Park

With some pals in the bottom of the Amphitheatre, Bryce Canyon National Park

The steep way back out of the Amphitheatre, Bryce Canyon National Park

Natural Bridge, Bryce Canyon National Park

Utah used to be on my Bucket List as a place I wanted to go to. But since I’ve been there, that’s all changed. These days Utah is still on my Bucket List, but as a place I want to go back to! Because there’s still so much I want to see there.

The graceful, if scary, curves of The Hogsback (aka Heebeejeebee Highway) on Scenic Route 12

Spooky Canyon, Grand Escalante National Monument

Spooky Canyon

Storm brewing over Grand Escalante

Hopefully this post will convince you that Utah deserves a place on your Bucket List, too.

Lake Powell

I think Red Canyon should be renamed, Orange Canyon!

This post was inspired by the photo themes Orange you glad it’s photo challenge time? (from Michelle of the Daily Post), Graceful (from Ailsa of Where’s My Backpack?) and Intricate (from Sue of A Word In Your Ear). It’s based on an article I originally posted as a featured blogger on Bucket List Publications in 2013.

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