Have you ever been to the USA? Well, our family departed on August 1st for a one week trip to a few of the Southwestern States. We went to Nevada, Arizona, and Utah. If there is one thing we remember, it was that it was HOT. Boiling hot.
One major activity we did during our vacation was hiking in the National Parks and going sightseeing. Many times, the walk was worth the view, or rather, the climb was worth the view. We walked the longest and most exhausting trail at the Utah Arches, the Delicate Arch trail. It soared into the sky, bare against the landscape and withstanding strong winds. The trail wound around cliffs, climbing up and down hills. Lots of sand was blown into our eyes, and even at the arch, you had to be careful since, what with all the sandy, layered ground, you could easily slip and tumble down the treacherous cliff. Sunglasses were certainly a big help against those mini sandstorms. One thing on our to-do list next time we come: bring lots of water and food!
We also saw the Landscape Arch, which was very delicate. In 1991, a huge piece of rock peeled off of the right side and killed a bunch of people, so now the trail under the arch is closed because they’re worried it may happen again. Nevertheless, the Arch is still amazing. It looks like a thin bridge-like arch, but you’re not allowed to go on the bridge part. There was also a Balanced Rock that looked like it would fall off the point of the canyon any second.
At Bryce Canyon, we walked to Sunset Point. Queen’s Garden was another story. It felt like it took hours to get there. It twisted and turned down, down, down, to a landscape of hoodoos. This trail was named after a particular hoodoo which looked like the queen looking down from an animal onto her garden.
At Horseshoe Bend, we walked to a part of a canyon where the river made a winding, horseshoe-like bend. The trail was dusty and relatively flat but mini-sandstorms and the length of the trail made it exhausting. Antelope Canyon wasn’t exactly hiking. It was quite long, but was much less energy-consuming. We walked inside of the canyon, along the narrow path the river carved years ago. Practically no sunlight shone down, yet a few rays peaked in so we could see where we were going. It was cool and flat inside, and with our phones turned on, the whole place looked even prettier.
Capitol Reef is another national park. We also visited Zion National Park. Capitol Reef’s rocks looked like pumice, while Zion’s looked like a checkerboard. Basically, they were famous for the looks.
We also went horseback riding in the mesa near the Monument Valley on a two-hour trail. The guide told us it was possible to see rabbits, coyotes, bobcats, and rattlesnakes, although all we saw was a rabbit. The horses’ names were Mustang, Brownie, Cowboy, and Silver. We had to stop for many water breaks, because no one should be getting dehydrated in the desert. Low plants like aloe and cacti covered the flat sand all around. We could see the highway snaking its way through the sand. We saw some monuments called “The King on the Throne,” “Rabbit,” “Bear,” etc. It was a very fun and rewarding experience for us.
The Hoover Dam was bigger than big. It was huge! That day also happened to be very hot, and shade was not easy to find. It wasn’t necessary to put up signs to tell you not to touch the metal. In the Visitor’s Centre, there was an exhibition. It tells you how the generator works. There’s basically a giant electromagnet in there, and the water turns the turbine. For who don’t know what and electromagnet is, it’s a giant magnet that produces electricity when spun near wire coils. The water turns the turbine which turns the magnet.
The Meteor Crater was certainly big, but just as strange. There was a miner’s tunnel down there, and a three-foot tall astronaut next to an American flag. That was probably meant to be funny. The crater was once thought to be caused by volcanic explosions. The meteorite was estimated 45 feet across, normal for a hole about one kilometer in diameter.
The USA was a fun place to be, but if you’re planning to go to the hotter desert states to visit all those national parks, we suggest that you bring lots of water, a shady hat, a fan, and an umbrella. Sunglasses are recommended not so much for the sun, but for those mini sandstorms. Next time you want to go somewhere, why not try the US?
