Zions and Bryce Canyon!!

 

It has been FOREVER since I blogged last and a lot has happened, so here it goes… 

In March Andrew presented his masters research at the Utah Wildlife Society Meetings in Zions.  Since it had to do with my major and a lot of my professors were going to it, it counted as an excused absence from school, so of course I was going!!!  Andrew did a great job on his presentation and I was really happy I could be there to watch him present. 

After the presentations were over we took our mountain bikes and rode the JEM trail.  I have completely fallen in love with mountain biking, it is pretty much the funnest thing ever!!!  The JEM trail was really cool because at some parts we were riding just a few feet from a 30 foot drop off to the virgin river.  It was a really pretty ride once you get to the actual trail.  I wanted to die riding uphill the whole time to get to the trail haha but it was worth it.

Then we rode our bikes into Grafton, which is an awesome little ghost town right before Springdale.  It was fun being able to walk through the old houses and cemetery. 

The next day we met up with our friends Justin and Kalyn, who live down there. We drove into the Park and hiked to emerald pools. They have the cutest little girl named Avery who smiled at everything!

Justin, Kalyn, and Avery hiking to Emerald Pools

 

We were driving around one day in the park and spotted this guy in a tree by the road.  Porcupines are so cute!!

On our way home from Zions we decided to drive the other way home and stay a night at Bryce Canyon.  It was weird driving from Zions where it was warm and sunny and getting to Bryce where it was cold and still had snow everywhere!

haha I’m not exactly sure what Andrew is doing here….maybe just making it so you can see what’s behind him? haha..

It was so bright with the light reflecting off all the snow!

We forgot to get an actual picture of the bridge…but here’s the sign!!