TRAVEL PHOTO THURSDAY
I would never want to dismiss the beauty of the other Western states, particularly my own–Arizona– but certainly high on my list of favorite Western road trips is southern Utah with its cluster of National Parks and Monuments protecting some pretty spectacular landscape. This series of photos reminds me that although I told my friend Keith Jenkins at Velvet Escape, when he published some dawn photos, that sunrise was only a rumor to me–it turns out I actually DID get up at dawn at Bryce Canyon.
Sunrise over Bryce Canyon, Utah
Bryce Canyon Utah First Light
Hikers at Bryce Canyon, Utah
Bryce Canyon in the sunlight
These photos are a continuation of A Traveler’s Library’s western road trip, and also part of Travel Photo Thursday, sponsored by Budget Traveler’s Sandbox. Click over there to see photos form travelers from around the world.
Have you taken a road trip in southern Utah? What is your favorite spot?
All photos here are the property of Vera Marie Badertscher. Please do not copy without express permission. Thank you.
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About the Author:
A freelance writer who loves to travel. When she is not traveling she is reading about travel. When she is not reading or traveling, she is sharing with the readers of A Traveler's Library, Reel Life With Jane and other websites. Also co-author of a biography, Quincy Tahoma, The Life and Legacy of a Navajo Artist. Contact Vera Marie by e-mail.
Vera Marie Badertscher – who has written 676 posts on A Traveler's Library.
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Tags: BlogSherpa, Bryce Canyon, photography, travel photos, USA, Utah, Western Road Trip
I love the pics. I can\’t wait to make it to Bryce Canyon someday.
Scott – QuirkyTravelGuy would like you to read..9 Things You Didn’t Know About the Grand Canyon
I went to Bryce Canyon when I was in college on spring break. What a gorgeous place!
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MIchael Figueiredo would like you to read..Dubai in January
Stunning shots, Vera! I think the sunrise shot is my favorite. I did some early morning shooting this past winter in Chiang Mai and was really pleased with the results. I must get more of those shots posted. Spain was simply too cold and too dark for earl morning photography!
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Nancie would like you to read..Travel Photo Thursday — March 1, 2012 — Seville From Above
Thanks, Nancie. I like the simplicity of the sunrise shot too, although Bryce is so gorgeous that I have a hard time picking which daylight photo I like best.
I never made it to Utah when I lived in the USA. DOn’t know why…
The colours of the landscape (in the sunlight photo) are really brilliant and unusual. Looks like Bryce Canyons could be almost as interesting to experience as Grand Canyon. Are you allowed to camp or are there cabins for rent nearby?
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Sophie would like you to read..Travel photo – Willemstad, Curaçao
Wow! nice photos. I hope to one day get to Bryce…looks so lovely, and catching it at sunrise especially so.
Anwar would like you to read..Friday Photo: Don’t Waste Time — Brussels Underground
Gorgeous photos! I’m glad I found your blog. Bryce is definitely spectacular in any season or time of day.
I’ve taken many road trips in southern Utah (in fact, my last blog post was about just that!) I am fond of Zion’s National Park, but I’d have to say my favorites are Arches National Park (great to visit with kids, with some nice hikes and awesome arches), and Canyonlands National Park, where I did a 10 mile backpacking trip with some friends and didn’t see another soul for an entire week…incredible, truly.
Andi would like you to read..Road Trip: St George, Utah and Zion’s National Park
Andi: Thanks for sharing your trip to southern Utah with us. I love Zion too. It is breathtakingly beautiful.
I lived in Nevada as a child and was able to see Bryce Canyon a few times. I know I would appreciate it so much more as an adult. Thanks for the pictures!
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I would love for you to share these pictures with my readers as well! I host a weekly Friday travel photo meme called Friday Daydreamin’.
~Becca
Absolutely beautiful pictures! We’re planning a Bryce trip during the summer. I’ve heard that Bryce is even more spectacular during sunrise, sunset and with some snow on it. I would have woken up early too for this.
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Mary would like you to read..Exploring Kohunlich Maya Ruins and Temple of the Masks
Gorgeous sunset. You’ve sold me on Bryce Canyon, Vera!
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Breathtakingly beautiful place.
InsideJourneys would like you to read..Travel Photo Thursday: Falmouth’s Georgian Buildings, I
Really gorgeous!!! SO AMAZING!!! loved each and every picture. Have never had a desire to go to Utah- but after seeing these pictures, it makes me want to go and explore a bit there.
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Connie would like you to read..Memory Monday- Wait for My Call
Such beautiful photos! I’m not much of a morning person but I think that I could get up if I was promised a sunrise like that!
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Lisa would like you to read..Vigeland Park with Kids
Bryce is one of the most stunning places on earth, and your photos do it justice.
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Cathy Sweeney would like you to read..Dressed to Impress
OMG, the Bryce Canyon looks huge and never-ending. I guess that it was such a monumental feeling standing in the middle of it! Great photos!
Talk about being in the perfect place at the perfect time! That is a fantastic sunset capture.
Jessica would like you to read..Travel Mishaps Make the Best Stories
Of course, in this case it took some doing, and some stern talking-to-myself-ing to get out of bed and stand around in the cold!!
Love these shots – and plan to follow in your footsteps in October. Have you been into the Escalante Wilderness area yet? I was hoping for a few days of gorgeous hiking in there too.
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Leigh would like you to read..Travel Photo Thursday: There is Beauty in a Canadian Winter
Hi Leigh: Nope. Haven’t been in the Escalante Wilderness, or even Canyonlands. My forays have been in the more “civilized” southern Utah parks.
National Parks are great places to explore and enjoy if we can just keep them safe from some parts of congress. Ken Burns series shows how this same fight has gone on for years between the same two sides. The sides are still the same
eileen ludwig would like you to read..Flowers, What are their names?
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These are such lovely shots. Thanks for sharing them. This is one of the places I would most like to visit.
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Pamela would like you to read..The Puppiness Project – Try Your Dreams On for Size
Beautiful! Love the ragged edges in the canyon.
these are beautiful, Vera. thanks for sharing this part of your western road trips with us. and I’m glad you got to see the sunrise in such a fine place…
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Kerry Dexter would like you to read..music from Wales: Fernhill
Hi Kerry: Yeah, it really takes something special to get me out of bed early! And it was COLD before the sun came up. But the light slowly bringing the rock into three-dimensional relief was something magical.