Two guys and a Jeep: Days 39 and 40

These past couple of days we saw two spectacular national parks that really showcase how the forces of nature can sculpt some amazing things. The first was Zion, in Utah. It feels almost like a fortress in the middle of the desert. The park is filled with walls of rock colored with all sorts of earthy red and whitish hues. Overall, the park is pretty arid. Our hike into the canyons was tiring and hot. But then we reached our destination, the Emerald Pools. They are three separate pools of water within the rock walls of Zion. As soon as we reached them, I noticed a sudden shift in the environment. Dust and gravel gave way to flourishing plant life and the occasional chipmunk or squirrel. These oasis-like ponds created a mini ecosystem in the canyon, supporting all sorts of life. It was truly an amazing experience. After taking a break at the ponds, we hiked back down to start making our way to Grand Canyon. I knew that Grand Canyon was the crown jewel of the national park system, but I couldn't comprehend it until

I actually saw it. We made it just at sunset to the north rim. Standing on the edge, looking out into the canyon as far as I could see was truly a profound experience. The colors of the sunset merely added to the grandeur of the canyon. That night we couldn't find a hotel so we had to sleep in the car for the first time. Sure, it was a bit uncomfortable with a seat that can't recline because we stuffed so much into the car. But for me, it was worth being able to walk out and see the most vivid canopy of stars I had ever seen. For once I could actually make out the Milky Way clearly (check out the pictures of it below). In the morning (feeling a bit sore and grungy) we drove to the south rim of the Grand Canyon for some equally spectacular views. The north rim looks in from above, while the south rim allows you to look more into the canyon rather than over it. Both views together really make for a great Grand Canyon experience in my opinion. For the last two national parks of our trip, Zion and Grand Canyon really led us out with a bang.