Utah Rocks! Women Traveling Together 2015

National Parks Circle Tour 2015

Women Traveling Together

Melissa Sigrist  

The natural beauty that exists within the United States is nothing short of astounding. The evidence of this lay sprawling before us on the National Parks circle tour with WTT, which included the states of Arizona, Utah, and Nevada.  We had many seasoned travelers with us, and some women who were just beginning their world treks, but we all agreed:  our National Parks are unmatched anywhere in the world.  The landscapes entertained us every day with new views, new lighting, and new skies. Like the Native American saying about rivers, we never stepped into the same landscape twice.

 Sedona is still a small town in Arizona, but tourists from around the world have discovered her natural red rock beauty. Morning sunrises and fiery sunsets are a feast for the eyes. A morning hot air balloon ride was a dream come true for some of our travelers and an amazing beginning of our trip, giving ladies a Birdseye view of this vast country.  A Grand Canyon thunderstorm gave us a show of illuminated clouds and striking lightning bolts, dancing over the canyon where we watched from the rim at the El Tovar hotel. The bright blue skies of the Navajo land around Monument Valley framed the red rocks that stood tall and proud as reminders of the strength and dignity of the native peoples.

 As we made our way to Arches National Park in Moab, Utah, we caught the evening skies at the Windows arches, with streaks of red and orange, serving as a stunning backdrop to the magnificent silhouette of the park's rock structures and arches.  Early the next morning, we postponed breakfast in order to catch the sunrise through the North Window arch, while watching the bright moon fade over Torret Arch. Peace. Tranquility. Silence. Gratitude. Unspeakable beauty.

 Extreme heat accompanied us to Canyonlands National Park, reminding us that the desert commands our respect! Our hikes were short in this park.  Yet as we entered Fremont Valley, home of Capital Reef National Park, we were gifted with mild temperatures and cool breezes as we walked along the immense red rocks, observing the petroglyphs of ancient civilizations.

 Bryce National Park brought rain showers, which painted the famous hoodoos with even more stunning hues of red, yellow, and orange than normal. The evening sky changed as the sun peaked in and out of the clouds, casting its light on the wet rocks. The skies cleared just in time for the 4th of July fire works outside the hotel balcony. A perfect night cap.

 Zion, the largest national park in Utah, may have been the most magnificent of all with its variety of massive and colorful canyon walks. We were rewarded with a misty shower at the end of our Emerald Pool hike, as the rocks sprinkled us with the refreshing waters from the earth.  The evening around the campfire at our hotel that last night will always be remembered.  We reflected on our National Parks tour with gratitude, having experienced some of our nation's greatest national treasures together, with a group of women who love the outdoors.  It was a very special trip with very special women, and one that we will think of fondly for many years to come.