A Beautiful Fall Day in Zion

A couple days ago my sister--Patricia Rose Ford the pastel artist--and Verna Ames my cousin from Portland Oregon and I spent the day in Zion National Park.  Here are some of the photo hightlights!  Pat also got in some painting while Verna and I took Abbie (the Labradoodle) along the Virgin River on the Narrows/Riverside Walk.  You must do it yourself sometime!  

Waterfall at Temple of Sinevava

Along the Rkiverside Walk

Zion Lodge view

Rocks near Temple of Sinevava

Patricia Rose Ford painting along the Virgin River

Fall splendor in Zion

The Riverside Walk in Zion

The Beehives and West Temple from near the Zion Nature Center

Abbie enjoying the sights in the Auto's sunroof

Abbie enjoying the sights in the Auto's sunroof

Picnic in Zion near the Amphitheatre and nature Center

The Zion Visitor Center below the Watchman

Trees Ranch near the entrance to Zion Canyon with the Eagle Crags in the background

Rockville Townhall & Community Center

Eagle Crags on the skyline and Rock & River Ranch in the Foreground in Rockville Utah

The view from our back porch on Grafton Road toward Mt Kinesawa

Looking east from our back porch toward the Eagle Crags Plateau

The Wave, Coyote Buttes, Arizona & Utah USA

Visit to Coyote Buttes (The Wave)--one of the GREATEST hikes and BEAUTIFUL views of geology in the world; led by Gerry Bryant (geologist at Dixie State College) St George Utah and my sister Patricia Rose Ford (the pastel artist) and Verna Ames--cousin (Portland Oregon)!  Enjoy!

Hiking up Buckskin Gulch to the trailhead to Coyote Buttes and THE WAVE!

Gerry Bryant teaching us some geology--sedimentary deformation in ancient sand dunes

Looking east toward Paria Canyon and the Hoodoos...

Patricia and Abby (Labradoodle) entering draw behind Twin Buttes

A Hoodoo with "capstone" rock

Twin Buttes--one of landmarks along trail to Coyote Buttes (The Wave)

Dinosaur tracks (see also below)

The Wave--see also below

(Left to right) Gerry Bryant, Robert Ford, Patricia Rose Ford, and Verna Ames

November 2011 in Southern Utah

Trees are turning color in the pastures along the Virgin River near Grafton Ghost Town and it's been a wonderful time to hike and explore picturesque canyons near St George and Zion National Park Utah.  And, our house in Rockville is making more progress--now we're doing the lath and stucco work outside and preparing to start painting inside.

Recently we had a wonderful visit by friends from Salt Lake City (Diane Opp and Brenda and Lee Bates) and later by my sister Patricia Rose Ford (the pastel artist) and Verna Ames--cousin (Portland Oregon).   Below are some photos from visits with them to Red Cliffs NCA (St George BLM Office) and Grafton Ghost Town near our home in Rockville.  We also visited Coyote Buttes (The Wave)--one of the GREATEST hikes and BEAUTIFUL views of geology in the world--the next post will show pictures from the Wave!!  Enjoy!

Grafton Ghost Town - Community Center

Grafton Ghost Town - Community Center

Sunflare through Cottonwood Trees

View across meadows/pastures to the Eagle Crags (early Fall)

Veranda of the Russel House view toward Community Center

Veranda of the Russel House view toward Mt Kinesava

Veranda of the Russel House view toward Grafton Mesa

Grafton Cemetery & Mt Kinesava

Grafton Cemetery - note "killed by Indians"

Grafton Cemetery & Mt Kinesava

Fall colors in Grafton

Fall colors from our Back porch toward the Virgin River & Mt Kinesawa

Fall colors looking east across our fence toward the Eagle Crags

Ford's house under Construction on Grafton Road - stucco work in early November

Ford's house under Construction on Grafton Road - final texture work being done

Ford's house under Construction on Grafton Road - external work done interior work now

 Ford House near Thanksgiving (November 22)

Ford House near Thanksgiving (November 22)

Ford House near Thanksgiving (November 22)

Hike to Red Cliffs National Conservation Area near St George Utah - see views below

Enjoy - Bob (Geobob) Ford