The Rocks

We have been venturing through a land of rocks and mostly thirst. The first cacti show their thorns and lizards scuttle in the sun. Yesterday and for the last few zillion years water and wind have been plying their slow arts to this corner of humungus Utah. From the salty flats around Salt Lake City to the granite and sandstone of Bryce and Zion Canyons we have once again offered our camera in awed appreciation. The days are hot and the nights cool with bright sun and stars crisp.

Bryce has the "hoodoos", all manner erosion stacks tanding in multi-coloured regiments,
their hues shifting with the hours. We had a splendid day of
clambouring around in the dust and columns, surrounded by any number of tourists, most of whom carried that glassy-eyed visually gob-smacked look.

From spectacle to splendour a mere few hours drive away in the shape of Zion Canyon, surely one of the world's most spectacular rock formations. At least in the hands of climbers who come here to bask in the towering faces of red rock. The Virgin River cuts its way from a high plateau through the hard Kayenta formation and through to the Navajo
Sandstone where the underbelly of long ago opens the canyon up to the flats below. Yesterday was a day of fording the Narrows from its source above for 25 km through a narrow canyon, filled with icy water and dappled light from on high. Our takkies (trainers) offered yeoman service, our feet burning last night from the re-perfusion of too long in icy submersion. But one of the most exhilarating days of walking in my life- dimensions stretched, senses revised, legs used, eyes glassy and tired 2 minute noodles the food of the gods.