Canyonlands National Park

The wild, wild west is really alive and thriving in Canyonlands National Park.  The scenery is raw and the climate is challenging--and for sheer vast expanses of space--nothing compares to Canyonlands.   In our typical fashion we did a ranger program, a couple of hikes, and hid out in the air-conditioned  visitor center in the afternoon.

The ranger program wins "best in Utah awards" as she brought along several musical selections to help us remember the 4 movements (laying down, turning to rock, lifting up, eroding) that laid the stage for the symphony in front of us--Grand View Point.   The talk concluded with Aaron Copland's Theme for a Common Man as we gazed out into the hazy view.  The group applauded.

Green River -- before joining with the Colorado River (within the Park)

Missing Yosemite!

Green River again

Upheaval Dome.  Want to add a guess as to the cause of this circular formation in land of plateaus & ridges?

One of the few flowers in the rugged landscape

View under Mesa Arch

Views in every direction.  WOW.