Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

We traversed the 80 miles to Bryce from Zion in two days. A running joke is that we use Google Maps' "by foot" rather than "by car" when we calculate how long it will take us to reach our next destination. One reason is that we're not in a hurry. Another is that, because we are in the middle of nowhere in the off-season, campgrounds are closed already or closing tomorrow and we end up doing a lot of back-tracking. Also, we find Internet access only when we get somewhere and don't need it anymore. Fortunately, we have our kitchen and bedroom with us at all times and pretty much only need a flat spot to park. We are learning about "boondocking" as we go.  

Our national parks are truly incredible. They are also (still) very busy and extremely dog-unfriendly. However, we wouldn't think of missing them because they are all  indescribably amazing or beautiful or deserving of some other grand description. Bryce lived up to expectations - as if you could ever expect this, no matter how many coffee-table-book photos you've seen. Next stop is Capitol Reef National Park, just 120 miles from here. In addition to Bryce and Zion, Utah has Arches and Canyonlands. In adjoining states but not far away is Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde and Great Basin. If you haven't been here, you should come. Nature adds much-needed perspective to our lives.