That’s Utah. I haven’t been to Utah yet but I want to. One thing that’s holding me back is physical condition. I get around pretty good for an old gal but Utah has some amazing National Parks and Monuments and I want to see them all. Most of them require hiking…at least what I want to see.

Tops on my list is a sandstone formation that is actually in Arizona called The Wave. It’s located  near the Arizona-Utah  border, on the slopes of the Coyote Buttes , in the Paria Canyon -Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, on the Colorado Plateau. It is famous among hikers and photographers for its colorful, undulating forms, and the rugged, trackless hike required to reach it. Access to the area is by permit and only 20 are issued each day. The permits are by lottery which makes the odds really slim. Then there is a grueling hike in as that’s the only access. No vehicles, even off road/ four wheel are banned. All water, food, equipment has to be carried in and empty containers etc have to be carried back out. Kind of daunting.

Along with the Wave I want to visit Arches National Park. This park sees 3/4 of a million visitors each year and all agree that it is an extraordinary place. There are over 2000 natural stone arches that have been carved out of the salmon colored sandstone by natural forces, like the wind and rain.

Another often photographed and spectacular natural wonder is Bryce Canyon National Park. Whimsical spires and Hoodoos create a veritable fantasyland. These  formations are all shades and colors.

Still exploring the wilderness I want to see Canyonlands National park. This is Utah’s largest National park and it’s divided into 3 sections, 4 if you count the Green and Colorado Rivers that slice it into a big watery Y.

But I’m not done yet, Capitol Reef National Park is long and narrow with some of the most surreally beautiful rock formations in all of the Southwest. How could I not want to go there!?

And there’s still more…Dinosaur National Monument is 210,000 acres of gorgeous canyons and mountains and one of the world’s largest dinosaur bone beds. With hikes here and hikes there I am wearing myself out just thinking about it!

Although there are more parks and monuments the last one on my list is Zion National Park. This is the oldest and considered by many to be the most beautiful of Utah’s parks. 1000 ft. walls of delicately hued sandstone tower above the Virgin River in Zion Canyon. Once again the park is described as “laced with trails” although there are some short , paved walks in the dramatic chasm.

Eventually everyone has to come in from the wild and I do want to see Salt Lake City and the Mormon Temple located in Temple Square, a 10 acres plot that now includes church administration buildings and a domed shaped building, home of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

There’s still more to Utah, like the animal rescue that’s featured in the “Dog Town” series  on Animal Planet, but it’s time to move on to another state.

The count is now: 17 / 27