Just returned from the hot southwest, 95-102 deg., where I visited parks in southern Utah (Arches, Capital Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Zion), before moving on to Arizona and New Mexico. The diversity and beauty of the scenery in this part of the country is astounding.
Entering Utah on Interstate 70, I headed south toward Moab on route 128 along the Colorado River to reach Arches National Park and scenic points along the way. Next, I planned to visit nearby Dead Horse Point State Park and then Monument Valley, over 100 miles south.
Dead Horse Point State Park is near Canyonlands National Park to the south of Arches park. Awesome experience! From there I headed south to Monument Valley.
Dead Horse Point
Wilson Arch, south of Moab
Monument Valley
Natual Bridges National Monument
An hour north of MV off route 95 on the way to Capital Reef. Too late in the day to get many shots in this canyon.
Traveling north on route 95 to Hanksville, Utah, I picked up route 24 west to Capital Reef National Park. More unusual, awesome sandstone formations along the way and in the park.
Exiting Capital Reef at Torrey, took route 12 to Bryce Canyon, pictures at top. Then 100 miles south on route 89 towards Zion. Planned to head for Arizona and Grand Canyon, North Rim, next.