Time taken to explore more National Parks

Once you get to this part of the country it certainly pays to slow down and enjoy the views.  No longer are the lands mostly flat lands common on the most northern states, the topography radically changes as you drive south/southwest through Wyoming, Colorado, Utah and New Mexico.

Views are often worth a stop in many places but of course the views in our National Parks are tops.

I was able to see several in just a few short days and in 2 weeks or so, visited a half dozen.  I lingered a bit in Bryce NP, Lees Ferry and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, taking time to smell the roses.

Arches NP was my first NP on this trip.

Canyon Lands NP had near total lack of a campsite for my 40' motor home, so just drove in to the end of the road, stopped for an hour or so, then left.  Beautiful views in there, beautiful.

AS ALWAYS,     'CLICK ON ANY PHOTO TO ENLARGE IT'.

Natural Bridges NP is just that, an area of eroded rock sculpted by time, water and wind.

Capital Reef NP was different from either of the above and worth the time to visit.  Either of these can be a destination in itself.  I was just lucky enough to have the time and vehicle to enjoy them all in succession.

Bryce NP was next and I stayed for 5 days.

 There was no electrical hookups inside the park, but I ran my generator 2 hrs in the morning and and an hour late afternoon to keep the battery bank up.  That is the only choice available for anyone camping and needing electricity there.

I had to chuckle at some of these locations as some from out of the country have sent these off the road type vehicles..

 I wonder where they think they will 'be allowed' to take them?  We protect our lands, at least the most beautiful.
 A few interesting rental RV vans seem to be coming out of California.. Neat Idea!

The company apparently allows local artists to 'do their thing' in return for national recognition/advertising.

Along the road...another interesting RV !

I did some driving to get over to Lake Powell and the Hoover Dam but it was all worth it. A very nice drive overall and always found a spot to park for the night...again..with views and privacy.

I took a chance/late, but was lucky enough to reserve a Campsite on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon for the last 3 days 2017 of the season.  Note though, that while Reservation.gov showed nearly NO vacancies, the park was 90% empty.  Go figure!!

Before I arrived at the North Rim, I stayed 80 miles east of there at Lees Ferry.  A small park and usually full but I was lucky again...and got a nice spot to park in with a fabulous view.  I ended up staying a couple of days, hiking and taking long walks..and eating well.   Very relaxing.

The Grand Canyon sadly was full of smoke so visibility was terrible.  The Governor even called to stop the Park Service from doing their 'prescribed burns' at least long enough to let visibility clear.

The views improved in a day and better in 2, but the quiet, due to lack of tourists was wonderful.  The negative was, the Parks Lodge restaurant and all other tourist facilities were closed for the last 2 weeks.  The park closes Nov. 1st, but the facilities close Oct. 15th.