Today was set to be another scorcher so we headed up into the Dixie National Forest and Cedar Breaks National Monument. It was delightful to watch the temperatures drop as the elevation rose.
We pulled off the main road onto a Forest Service road and started off into the woods. We set up our lunch things on a big stump in the sun. Bird song and gentle breezes were our only companions. As we ate and talked we noticed all the little wildflowers at our feet. We haven't seen many spring flowers this year and I coudn't get enough of these little beauties.
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| and lots of very tiny, very blue butterflies |
After lunch we drove down out of the Forest and continued on our way into Cedar Breaks National Monument. We only saw a few other people at some of the overlooks so we totally enjoyed the cooler weather and solitude we found.
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| well, someone did watch us eat lunch, but he was quiet |
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| Dave walks to the edge |
It was a slightly overcast day with a few sprinkles, not condusive to showing you the trulyfantastic colors of the formations we were seeing but it was a wonderful day for us.
We'll see what tomorrow brings. We leave here on Saturday heading to Salt Lake City and a visit with old friends.
A beautiful escape from the heat of the valley. We have skied at Brian Head, but never explored the area in summer. The views are phenomenal!
ReplyDeleteThe scenery was spectacular, I'm sorry that it was a hazy day and you couldn't see the vibrant colors.
ReplyDeleteAre you seeing any smoke haze? I think we're getting a bit from the fire near Moab, but it's hard to tell because we've also had a lot of clouds. Anyway, we loved that area for all the reasons you do - beautiful scenery, great weather, no crowds. Perfect! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteYes, I think what we're looking through is indeed smoke haze. When we were atop Brian Head it sprinkled a little rain so probably normal cloudy weather also. Where did you stay when you were here?
DeleteWe stayed at Cedar Canyon Retreat which is a small campground about 15 minutes up Utah 14 on the way to Cedar Breaks.
DeleteThanks. We saw it but the entry looked dicey. No problems then?
DeleteThe drive to both of these spots is so wonderful. Thank goodness higher elevations are close by. There is such a huge difference at 10,000+ft. Looks like a sweet, cool lunch spot. Love your company! Pretty ground flowers. Cedar Breaks NM is so beautiful. Lots of bristlecome trees. Hope you had a fun, cooler day today, as well. Safe travels Sat.
ReplyDeleteWe had a wonderful day yesterday but missed the bristlecones! I'm sure we'll be back and we'll check them out then.
ReplyDeleteGlad you found cooler temps! Love those gorgeous expansive views from way up high...and the tiny wildflowers and little blue butterflies at your feet. You guys sound like you're having fun!
ReplyDeletewe are having fun! the little blue butterflies were everywhere on the ground. I could only manage to get a shot of one with my phone.
ReplyDeleteI hope that excessive heat goes away soon! We'll be in Utah the end of summer and I know it's still going to be brutal. Being on the coast we're very spoiled :-) Glorious to be back in the red rock again though. I can tell you're having a great time exploring.
ReplyDeleteAt least we can move up in elevation to mitigate the heat a bit. The Oregon coast sounds idyllic at this point, but oh those red rocks of Utah......grass is sometimes greener! We are, indeed, having a grand time.
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