Off to Explore some Canyons

All images from Pixaby

I’m vanishing from the blog for a few weeks to explore some canyons, starting with the one above.

One of the benefits of retirement is an opportunity to catch up on all those things I wanted to do earlier in my life, but never had the opportunity. While I’m not quite the daredevil I was as a younger person, the desire to explore is still as strong as ever.

I want to see curving waves of rock. Perhaps this one:

I hope to explore a slot canyon. Maybe this one:

I won’t need to rely on pixabay photos to see this. I’m going to walk through it:

I will be offline for most of my break, but loaded with books, and back with much to share.

May you find an adventure to enjoy while I’m gone.

***

And a Happy Mother’s Day to the women all around the world who are tirelessly “mothering” others, even if you don’t have children. You’re amazing.

183 thoughts on “Off to Explore some Canyons

  1. Resa says:

    Those waves of rock look like a special fabric!
    Hope you had a great time. I look forward to your pics and tales! ❦❦

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Hey! You will love those slot canyons, as well as the Grand Canyon and so many canyons. I am just back from Arizona and points in between. If you go as far south as Tucson, be sure to go through the Saguaro National Forest, maybe go up Mt. Lemmon. Have fun!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Ha ha ha. We just got back, D. We hit the Grand Canyon South and North, Antelope, Zion, and Bryce. What beautiful country. It sounds like I’ll have to go back. Hope you had a fun trip too!

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  3. DutchIl says:

    Thank you for sharing!!.. hope your journey is pleasant and all that you wish for it to be and until we meet again… 🙂
    May the sun shine all day long
    Everything go right, nothing go wrong
    May those you love bring love back to you
    May all the wishes you wish come true
    May peace be within you
    May your heart be strong
    May you find whatever you’re seeking
    Wherever you may roam
                      (Irish Saying)

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Wow! It’s too late to offer to carry your bags, but remember me for next time. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Those images are fabulous. I do hope you get to see all that. Have a wonderful time!

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Sounds awesome….hope all is going well!!

    Liked by 1 person

  7. I’m so happy for you, Diana! It sounds like an exciting adventure! My daughter and her hubby went to Zion National park and brought back a brochure of photography tours for me. I only saw those canyons when we took a bus tour from LA to Yellow Stone. I look forward to reading about your adventure and seeing some photos. Enjoy, my friend! ❤ 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Slot canyons… I can’t help thinking I’d get stuck! 😀
    Diana, have a wonderful time. Hugs on the wing.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Hi Teagan! I’m sunburned from my days hiking around the Grand Canyon, and off on more adventures tomorrow. Just checking in for a few minutes. I hope you’re well and getting through your last Dead of Winter journey. Have a wonderful Sunday. Hugs. ❤ ❤ ❤

      Liked by 1 person

  9. AmethystAP says:

    How exciting. I could do with some exploring and adventure too. Hope you have an amazing time.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you so much for the visit, Amethyst. I’m still on the trail, and off for more exploring. I hope you find some time for adventure… even if in your own neighborhood. Hugs.

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  10. tmezpoetry says:

    I caught you on your break. Enjoy!

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Erik says:

    A post of big things and little things that matter. I’m glad you are taking time away to continue the exploration. I suspect we’ll see hints of your experiences in future writings. (I also suspect you still have more adventure in your little toenail than manner people ever find.)

    Canyons and such are part our world that many never see up close; yet even for those of us who are lucky enough to be there in person and take it all in, it does always seem otherworldly, doesn’t it?

    Now for the small and important. Your inclusive Mother’s Day wish was touching—and so important for the many caregivers who have not yet, or could not, give birth to their own children. That you could have your mind on canyons and still remain so in touch with these women speaks volumes.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thanks for the lovely comment, Erik. We finished up at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon today and head to the North Rim in the morning. What an astonishing place. I’m sure it will end up somewhere in my writing. Lol. And as a caregiver, how could I not acknowledge the important work of all the women (and men) who care for others. It’s amazing heart-work. Be well, my friend. I’ll be back in a couple of weeks! ❤

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Oh wow, this looks amazing, Diana.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. How lovely, both the vanishing from the blogs and your great adventure! I can’t wait to hear all about your explorations and to see the canyons through your lens. 🙂 Wishing you great fun…xx

    Liked by 1 person

  14. So excited for you, Diana! Sending you best wishes and positive vibes for the BEST time!!! ❤

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Lady Tessa says:

    Hope you have fun exploring those beautiful caverns!

    Liked by 1 person

  16. D.L. Finn, Author says:

    I hope you have an amazing trip, Diana. Xo

    Liked by 1 person

  17. You’re the coolest retiree I know! Enjoy your grand adventure, and have fun!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Ha ha ha. It’s only because I didn’t do these things as a young person, Jacquie. I saved it all up for my sixties. Thanks for the kind send off, my friend. Have a wonderful week and “see” you soon. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  18. dgkaye says:

    How exciting! And stunning photos Diana. I hope you enjoy every minute and bring us back some equally beautiful pics. ❤

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Jaya Avendel says:

    How lovely these photos are and the experience of exploration summed within!

    Liked by 1 person

  20. Silent Hour says:

    Have a great time, Diana ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

  21. Having just wandered through Zion and Bryce, I know that you are going to love it, D. The crowds can be a bit overwhelming in the prime tourist areas but there are equally beautiful areas in each park that only receive a handful of visitors Here are some recommendations. As you are driving into Zion from the west and pass through the small town of Springdale, there is a road off to the left that will take you up to Kolob Terrace. It will take you into the high country of Zion. Beautiful. There is also a northern section of the park that is called Kolob Canyon with Zion like views. Definitely worth the trip up I-15 to get there. You will see it listed on your park map. At Bryce, be sure to go for a hike in Red Canyon. Wonderful hoodoos. Also drive over to Kodachrome State Park and go for a hike. Plus the drive down 12 to get there is worth it in itself. 12 is one of America’s most scening highways. In Bryce proper, be sure to go out to the end of the road and work backward. The first four miles id where most of the tourists hang out. Beautiful, yes, but only a part of the park. And finally, a bit further afield but a trip Peggy and I loved. Follow 12 through the first part of the Grand Staircase, Escalante National Monument until you come to the town of Boulder. Just this side of the town is a road that goes off to the right, Burr road/highway 100. Follow it until it drops into the Canyon and then drive a few miles through the canyon. Incredible walls! There is even a small slot canyon just off the road. Have a great trip! –Curt

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thanks for the wonderful info, Curt. None of these spots were on our list, so we’ll revisit our plans. We’re hoping we’re a little early for big crowds since kids are still in school. And we’ll head out early in the mornings. We did that at Yosemite with great results. Thanks so much for taking the time to share some of your hikes less taken and how to find them. That’s so kind of you. I hope your adventures are progressing wonderfully too!

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      • Early is better, no doubt about it, D! It only gets worse as the day, and season progresses. Lots of overseas travel now.
        And you are welcome. Our journey has been an absolute delight so far. One of the advantages of full-timing it is that it allows us to hang out in areas longer, or move on whenever we feel like it. We are also trying to plan our journey to avoid the worst of the weather and fires— something my 750 mile backpack trip down the PCT didn’t. Grin.

        Liked by 1 person

  22. Willow Croft says:

    That’s Bryce Canyon, right?

    Liked by 1 person

    • The photo with the hoodoos is Bryce, Willow. We’re starting at the Grand Canyon, heading to Antelope Canyon, then Zion, and finishing at Bryce. A whirlwind canyon adventure. Thanks for dropping by! Have a wonderful week.

      Liked by 1 person

  23. I’ll be there in June. Have fun on your trip, Diana! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  24. noelleg44 says:

    We truly enjoyed seeing a ton of canyons on our train trip through the Rockies last year. DO have a great time and bring back more amazing pictures!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thanks, Noelle. A train trip through the Rockies sounds wonderful! What a treat that must have been. We’re just starting our adventures, and this one has been in the works for almost a year. I can’t wait. ❤

      Liked by 1 person

  25. Baydreamer says:

    Enjoy your adventure, Diana! My hubby and I would love to visit those places, so I look forward to seeing the real photos. 💕

    Liked by 1 person

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