It’s interesting if you ponder how the crooning of the alarm clock at 5 AM can either sound excruciatingly painful or excitingly pleasant…. The monotonousness of the routine set aside I had no qualms for my early morning flight into Salt Lake City Utah… to meet new friends…. And to experience the adve-nature that is Utah… As the plane begins its initial descent and the thick white clouds start to clear out the snow capped peaks of Wasatch and Oquirrh start staring at you.. And you stare back in amazement.. to the vast spread of unevenness and to the white caps that they are wearing.. to the perspiration on them that leads gently down and empties itself in the lakes.. giving life and beauty to the region.. the region has its own way of welcoming you… the bumpy final descend into salt lake city… where in I was almost thrown out of my seat and understood why the hostess always attempt in futility to explain the importance of seat belts.. Welcome to Ultimate Utah
First destination the Antelope Island State Park…Great Salt Lake.. where you are welcomed by a stench that will scare away most of the people… its like a defense mechanism, natural instinct of the region to keep away people, lest they destroy the pristine beauty that is only a couple of miles away… brave it and you are welcomed by a vast beauty which no ways indicates it’s a lake… the vastness resembling the ocean and acres and acres of wilderness… with a gentle breeze bringing the cool effect of water and quietude of the wilderness.. people say you can float on the water without basically doing anything.. due to the high mineral content in the water.. alas we could not try it out… no no… not because of being heavy, big boned personalities but because the water was cold… and high expectations of clean water straight out of the shower, clean, pure…hoping to see the floor of the lake... wildlife is plenty at the salt lake.. One can easily spot the big lazy wild bisons.. their unruly fur and big steady slow step, flaunting the message that… “there is no need to worry and there is no need to hurry, its only one life why do the scurry”…
Down the road there is a ranch.. which takes you into the world of cowboys.. where you can learn the tricks of trapping the cows with loop of the rope… not the actual ones.. dummy ones made of wood… which don’t move.. Ten tries later, I began to appreciate the skill sets of the cowboy… With tired bodies and glimpses of what was to come for the next two day’s we checked in with the alarm clocks again set to croon at ungodly hours
Early morning ride into Bryce region, the landscape starts changing…big lush ranches dot the highways on either sides.. stallions standing tall and cattle grazing as if there’s no tomorrow.. driving on these roads is a pleasure.. the road stretches on for miles snaking through the big vastness and through the hills and mountains.. into the horizon…
As you enter the Bryce region you are welcomed by the orange red sandstone landscape.. with arches formed into the hills through which the road passes.. trekking the red canyon on horsebacks is a great way of exploring the region.. the climb through the rocks and edges of the valley.. you feel like you are the cast of Mackennas gold.. and that you are on a quest of some sorts… on a quest we were.. After about an hour and half trek we reached a clearing on the top wherein the beauty of the Red Canyon spread out in front of us… the mastery of the sculptures formed by nature is a master piece.. it is as if the MichelAngelo’s and the Picassos were all summoned to do the job.. albeit patiently over the course of millions of years.. by slowly gnawing at the limestone.. the same work of art was on display through Bryce Canyon National Park.. it is like a big museum of art.. each formation having a meaning and a symbol.. only if you watch closely.. I swear I found a formation in the shape of the heart… savoring the sights we drove onto the St.Georges down south in Utah.. Same deal, as rest was not allowed for the trip in case we don’t cover everything we planned for… Early morning start into Zion National park.., you are welcomed by tall sharp cliffs.. towering above you with all their magnanimity. Panting and huffing through the 2 and half mile ascent on Angels Landing..
This is no trek for the weak hearted.. you need a lot of will power to keep going.. the ascend to the top is not easy.. with a narrow edge with drop dead cliffs on either sides.. fear of heights can creep in.. you need to hold on the chains rooted on the rocks to support your footing.. one pass only way wherein you have to lie on your backs on the rocks for others to pass through.. the view from Angels landing is amazingly superb… the tall rocky mountains on all sides, painted with patches of green and the bare grayness of the exposed rock.. and the gentle stream that passes through them.. glistening in the rays of the sun.. Descending down, it was time for another adventure…
ATV rides in Sand Hollow State Parks.. signing off the liabilities, it was time for some wroooom, wrooooom… The beauty of Utah is the varied landscape.. tall snow covered mountains, red limestone canyons and the fine sandy desert.. Navigating the ATVs through the sand and ups and downs is a real treat for the eyes.. they have a big manmade Lake for recreational purposes. The water is channeled through pipes and circulated through two artificial lakes to keep it fresh.. red desert and blue water… an oasis, a mirage.. only it was a true mirage…well if it’s true it ain’t a mirage… whatever.. after four hours of beating the hell of those ATV beasts and being covered with Sand did we realize how tired we were..
Reminiscing of the adventure of the last three days and with the tired bodies.. off we flew, climbing high above the peaks that were dotingly waving us farewell.. with a smile that said.. come back soon..
