The Best of Dreamcatcher Journeys

Zion OOOH! Just look at that...!!! There simply were no words that could begin to capture the majesty of the gallery of sculptured rock, waterfalls, and other wonders of nature before our eyes. The absolute beauty of it all was humbling. The stone was cut and polished by elements and time, dramatic drop-offs just appeared without warning, and green gardens with wild flowers sprang forth from nowhere. This is Zion National Park. This is Utopia! Natural carvings, Navajo sandstone, and layers of rock bend and twist skyward. The higher we climbed, the more magnificent the ever-changing scene. Tunnels had been cut through the vermilion landscape; and, throughout the longest unlighted tunnel, a 1.1 mile spans, windows had been cut affording us an occasional peek into awesome beauty--heaven! During our climb, precipitation that began as rain produced newborn waterfalls which cascaded over jagged, hanging cliffs polishing the surfaces and giving them sheen. Streams below gathered speed as they swelled and rushed down the lava swirls of the volcanic terrain. As the storm intensified and hail pounded against the Jeep, waterfalls intensified. We could barely contain ourselves as we tried to drink it all in. Pueblo Indians inhabited these lands over a thousand years ago. We looked with wonder at the "weeping rock" and were awestruck when we arrived at the Temple of Sinawava. It was there that we were joined by three wild deer and a Peregrine Falcon. By nightfall, we could barely quiet our senses which were filled with freshness, color, and magnificence. We wondered if sleep would ever come. Memories made our hearts beat faster like the rush of the mountain streams pounding against the rocks then continuing to flow and fill the soul and the sea respectively. Bryce Canyon It was a SPECTACLE beyond our wildest dream! The amazing sights at Bryce Canyon were otherworldly. Pinnacles and spires called Hoodoos cast their spell on astounded visitors from around the world. These pillars of rock were left by nature’s erosion. Their phenomenal forms afford both excitement and serenity. Elevation at the National Park ranges from 6,500 to 9,100 feet. The quality of air is worthy of bottling. The water is cold enough to freeze at night yet melts and adds vigor and freshness to streams as sunlight caresses the Canyon. Fairyland Canyon "The fanciful shapes at Fairyland Point offer a natural amphitheater of castle-like formations." From this view point, one can see Navajo Mountain and other magical sights that revel the imagination. It is difficult to pull one’s self away and on to the next sight. Rainbow The clouds thickened and darkened as we climbed to the vista. Pellets of ice bounced off the windshield and danced across the hood of the Jeep. Lightening shot out across the sky as we looked out over Rainbow Point. We just had to get out of the car. We took one quick peek and scurried back as thunder crashed around us. At 9,115, feet we feared being struck by the violent yet beautiful force of nature. It made us appreciate the true meaning of the word “awesome.” Reluctantly, we began our decent while the precipitation intensified. Before our very eyes, black, asphalt roads turn white and slippery with ice and snow. The frozen accumulation deepened and we carefully maneuvered our way back through the Canyon reminiscing that only days before we had concluded that we would like a homebase where four seasons are apparent. You can consider this our “winter” for the year 1998. Hoodoos Cast Their Spell Soon the sunshine magically danced across the Hoodoos and cast a spell on us again. A Hoodoo is a pillar of rock, unique and spectacular in shape, left by erosion. These magical shapes are as exciting as Cinderella's Castle. Move over Disney, Bryce Canyon has you beat by 10 million years! Paradise Lost That evening, we settled in early not only to keep warm but to do some planning as well as reflection. It had been 20 years since we called Utah home. Grand Staircase - Escalante We tooted out of Ruby's Inn at Bryce Canyon and headed for Torrey. With the bright sunshine upon us, the scenery was nothing less than spectacular. As we drove, hoodoos changed to cowboy country. The new green of spring proudly served as backdrop for flowering trees and bushes. The road narrowed as we climbed and looked with wonderment. Why are movies now being shot in dirty inner cities when young and old need more exposure to the beauty and grandeur of nature. We passed through the Petrified Forest and began a series of hairpin turns with no shoulders and 10% grades. At 6,500 feet, I was looking directly over what would easily be that much of a direct drop. We were still climbing. Our altimeter went out of range at 9,000 feet. We were still climbing! As we descended into the welcoming pastoral valley at Torrey junction outside of Capital Reef National Park, I relaxed my white-knuckled grip from the arm rests of the co-pilot seat and smiled as I glanced over at my proud partner, Don Quixote. He had conquered the mechanical dragons of the motor coach and now he was successfully chasing the windmills of the road. Windmills of the Gods We retraced some ancient footsteps of our past as we continued our search for our future. We drove in and out of each area becoming closer and closer to our next adventure, God, and each other. We are never quite certain where the road will take us even though it is clearly marked on the map. This is a Dreamcatcher's Journey.