And the consolation prize goes to . . .

. . . Monument Valley and Grand Staircase-Escalante. If you manage to get to the bottom of this post, the reward is pictures!!

You may know that Bob and I cancelled our trip to China. Apparently, when we scheduled Bob’s lectures at Hunan University in Changsha, it coincided with the Glorious 60th Anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Therefore, students have to participate in the festivities and Bob would be lecturing to an empty hall. So, we didn’t feel that we could justify the expense and the time off to go if there were no lectures to give (on the American Judicial System - by the way - though I’m not sure they really care how our system works, since they seem to have one of their own). And Sarah has to have her pacey changed. It was just too much trouble to change my frequent flier ticket to come home early – the only one available was 1 day early. And to cancel my ticket and get a regular ticket where I could sit in the middle of the steerage section (with or without the chickens and the goats) for 15 hours for $2K+ just didn’t seem worth it. Anyway, Rachel still went and has sent us back some fabulous pictures. She told me last night, if we ever go, maybe she’ll come along again. We are expecting souvenirs, and it better happen since I gave her money to spend.
So, I wanted to go somewhere. I read about Highway 12 in the AAA magazine and decided that we would do a quick little jaunt to Southern Utah. Home of the John Wayne Western, sand, hoo- doos, national parks, etc. One particular high point is that there are many places where cell phones do not work. We could travel along without any interruptions from the office. I was not really prepared for the majesty that exists in the state of Utah. You might say that it is actually "life changing". Now ‘life changing" is Sarah’s description for something fabulous. It can be a really great bacon-cheeseburger, the Boyz to Men Reunion concert at the Utah State Fair or truly something life changing in the traditional sense of the expression. Now judge for yourselves and tell me that this isn’t life changing.
PS - the other consolation prize is that I get to gorge myself of the food of the God’s – white bread, a teeny bit of mayo, home-grown vine-ripe tomatoes, salt and pepper all wrapped up in a fabulous (Life Changing!!) sandwich. All my tomatoes have ripened and I would have missed them had we been in China.

Wonderful pictures in no particular order:


Desert critters

Hoo-doos of Red Canyon

Hoo-doos of Red Canyon, part 2

Gorge of the Grand Staircase - in geological ages, the formations of the Grand Canyon, Zions Canyon and Bryce canyon stair step up so what is old in one canyon, is new in the next - hence the name staircase. Thank goodness Bill Clinton protected this. Pictures do not do it justice.

This whole area is open range. We met Bossy, here, and many of her friends.

Fall is at its peak on Highway 12

The view from our motel room in Torrey.

Mexican Hat, Utah. No dancing going on.

Valley of the Gods as seen from the most awesome, white-knuckle, hair-pin turn road I have ever been on!!

Monument Valley

Monument Valley

Monument Valley -- can't you just seen John Wayne and Paul Newman come galluping over the rise.

More Monument Valley

Children: be forewarned. I am already planning a McKay/Lewis trip to follow in the footsteps of our pioneer ancestors in this glorious country.