Connecting friendships during our vacation

Weston Family at Vancouver @ Washington State

Forshee Family gathering for thanksgiving at McMinville @ Oregon State

Alynn Wiley our host at Capitol Reef @ Utah

Banuag Family - Dudley, Eunie, Bradley, Kayley & Kiara @ Arizona

Oregon in USA

Multnomah Falls is arguably "the grandaddy" of the 77 waterfalls on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge. At 620 feet, only three falls in the nation are higher, and none are more beautiful. It attracts large crowds on summer weekends, so plan accordingly. A trail from famous Multnomah Falls Lodge (1925) climbs to the Simon Benson Bridge across the lower cascade, then zigzags to the top.

Capital Reef at Utah

Nice family picture at Fruita Park at Capital Reef.

Playing with the leaves in the fall....

Fruita Park

Freeman River with gushing waterfalls....

Hickman Natural Bridge

Hello Mr. Buffalo...

CAPITOL REEF NATIONAL MONUMENT

On August 2, 1937, in Proclamation 2246, President Roosevelt set aside 37,711 acres of the Capitol Reef area, making it a National Monument. This comprised an area extending about two miles north of present Utah Hwy 24 and about ten miles south, just past Capitol Gorge. More highly protective federal regulations now applied in "Wayne Wonderland".

Capitol Reef National Park comprises 378 square miles of colorful canyons, ridges, buttes, and monoliths. About 75 miles of the long up-thrust called the Waterpocket Fold, extending like a rugged spine from Thousand Lake Plateau southward to Lake Powell, is preserved within the park boundary. Capitol Reef is the name of an especially rugged and spectacular part of the Waterpocket Fold near the Fremont River.

Byrce National Park, Utah

Bryce Canyon National Park consists of 37,277 acres of scenic colorful rock formations and desert wonderland. The majority of park visitors come during June to September and are lowest in December through February. Each year the park is visited by more than 1.5 million visitors from all over the world. Languages as varied as the shapes and colors of the hoodoos express pleasure in the sights.

Shortly after 1900, visitors were coming to see the colorful geologic sights, and the first accommodations were built along the Paunsaugunt Plateau rim above Bryce's Canyon. By 1920 efforts were started to set aside these scenic wonders. In 1923 President Warren G. Harding proclaimed part of the area as Bryce Canyon National Monument under the Powell (now Dixie) National Forest. In 1924 legislation was passed to establish the area as Utah National Park, but provisions of this legislation were not met until 1928. Legislation was passed that year to change the name to the new park to Bryce Canyon National Park.
Congress created Bryce National Monument in 1923. In 1928, Bryce Canyon was designated Bryce Canyon National Park.

Bryce Canyon National Park is named for one of a series of horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters carved from the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau in southern Utah. Erosion has shaped colorful Claron limestones, sandstones and mudstones into thousands of spires, fins, pinnacles and mazes. Collectively called "hoodoos," these unique formations are whimsically arranged and tinted with colors too numerous and subtle to name.

Hoodoo is a pillar of rock, usually of fantastic shape, left by erosion. Hoodoo is to cast a spell. At Bryce Canyon National Park erosion forms an array of fantastic shapes we know as hoodoos. Surrounded by the beauty of southern Utah, these hoodoos cast their spell on all who visit. Geologists say that 10 million years ago forces within the Earth created and then moved the massive blocks we know as the Table Cliffs and Paunsaugunt Plateaus. Rock layers on the Table Cliffs now tower 2,000 feet above the same layers on the Paunsaugunt. Ancient rivers carved the tops and exposed edges of these blocks, removing some layers and sculpting intricate formations in others. The Paria Valley was created and later widened between the plateaus.

Zion National Park, Uath

Zion National Park opened in 1919. It has been a very long time and in the earlier days, many people traveled far to see the serenity of this wonderful place. There weren't many accomodations and most of them are pretty expensive as it is a tourist attraction. You will get so mind focus of the natural beauty that surround the gorge and high mountains and stream of water running on the river bed. I love the fall colors on the trees changing. Enjoy the beautiful walk by the river, simply awesome. There were many photographers everywhere taking pictures in different angles. To me, it is hard to capture the beautiful memories which can last a life time.

Hoover Dam & Las Vegas

Bustling Las Vegas, lots of legal gambling and smell of smoke. Don't be fool over the cheap buffets as it is definately NOT on the strip. Lots of fancy hotels, very impressive sights of the shows and theme hotels put together. There were lots of walking so prepare yourself a real good shoes. You will definately need one. Our family really love it. Most of the hotel on the strip are not really family friendly. It is better to stay off the strip.

Hoover Dam took 5 years to build from 1931 till 1935 with the cost of USD 25 million. It was a major impact in the surrounding economy with lots of employment during the depression time. Besides it creates lots of growth opportunity in the surrounding environment. After the dam was built, the dam blockage of water created Lake Mead.

Grand Canyon @ Arizona

Understanding and viewing the Grand Canyon was superberb feeling. The amazing structure of how it is created over millions of years ago, simply astonishing. We were surprised that the entrance fees to get into Grand Canyon is USD25 per vehicle. It was rather pricey but to think of the value you see, I think it was worth it.

There were many points which you can stop to see the views. I found that the dessert view from the tower was rather nice followed by grandview point. Definately worth stopping to see and take some nice pictures, get some inspiration and meditate.

You can almost see all kinds of visitors from around the world

Petrified Forest National Park @ Arizona

Petrified Rock is something worth learning about. It is everywhere in Arizona. It is actually a complete tree which was buried and crystalized over millions of years ago. What is interesting is that it retains the shape of the tree bark but has the crystal effect.

Canyon De Chelle @ Arizona