Greetings dear readers! We’re back home after a wonderful trip! I’ve always enjoyed the different sights, new information on history, culture, geology, etc., change of routine and meeting new people that traveling offers. Today’s post is mostly photos from the first half of our trip. Many were posted on my Instagram site so if you’ve already seen them, you can either enjoy them again 😊 or skip through them.
We flew to Las Vegas, rented a car, and drove straight to Zion National Park in Utah. – our third time there (last time 29 years ago!) and one of our favorites. The landscape is stunning and we were able to do some hiking.
This next photo is not edited at all – many of the rocky cliffs look golden at sunset:
Our second destination was Flagstaff, AZ, mainly to see the south rim of the Grand Canyon. I’d seen the north rim twice but never the south. On our way there we stopped to see the ruins of the Wupatki Pueblo which was inhabited a millennium ago with a thriving Native American community. No one is quite sure why this and similar other sires were abandoned- ? Drought or famine, ? conflict.
In Flagstaff we had our only bad weather of the trip – rain, sleet, and snow! Thank goodness we checked the weather forecast before leaving home and brought long underwear and “layers” of clothes to wear! It snowed during the first part of the drive up to the canyon:
But the weather improved as we approached the canyon. When we got there it was cold and windy, but the skies were a mix of sun and clouds and we were able to enjoy the beautiful colors of the canyon in the shifting light and shadows. Absolutely gorgeous!
The above photo was taken with the telephoto lens in my new phone! Pretty good shot of the river!
Next stop was Canyon de Chelley in Navaho Nation in northeastern Arizona. This was our third time here, but first since 2003. It’s gorgeous! Previously we’d only seen it from the rim, but this time we took a tour into the canyon with a Navaho guide. There are ruins of cliff dwellings and petroglyphs to see. Some Navahos continue to live in the canyon and farm some parts of it.
In the next photo, see the horse at the bottom of the darker cliff on the left to get some perspective on how deep the canyon is:
I loved the beautiful spring green of the cottonwood trees!
Spider rock is incredible!
Next post I’ll show photos from the 2 places we stayed in New Mexico – Abiquiu, and Santa Fe. But I can’t leave this post without at least a few things related to sewing and textiles!! 😊. One of my favorite things on the trip was visiting the Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe. I have several photos to share from that visit over the next few posts, but for today I’m sharing 2 wonderful pieces made of yarn which I loved:
Of course I took some hand appliqué to work on when resting or when waiting at the airport! The appliqué blocks for the Winterberries project were the perfect size and I completed 2 and part of a third:
I’ll be back soon with part 2 of the trip. Things are finally turning green here in New Hampshire – yay! I’m so ready for color and warmer weather!! Hope you are all enjoying the seasonal changes and some happy stitching.
Be kind, be grateful, and cherish each day, Gladi
gladiquilts 
you are blessed indeed to be able to take such interesting and scenic vacations…gorgeous photos every one!
How wonderful that you enjoyed this party of the country. Regrettably, I was in California at that time or I would have hosted you in Flagstaff.
Very sorry to have missed you! It would have been fun to get together. Hopefully another time!,
Gorgeous pictures!
Fantastic photos of our nation’s treasures! I loved the International Folk Art Museum when I was there over 20 years ago. I don’t think those yarn paintings were there then, but they are so gorgeous and amazing!
Thank you!
Beautiful photos! So glad you had a great trip. Thanks for sharing the yarn paintings. I’ve never seen anything like this before. Amazing details in these yarn paintings. Looking forward to your next photos.
I hadn’t been familiar with “yarn paintings” either – they were incredibly appealing!
I enjoyed your IG posts and wow, these photos are amazing. Would you believe I lived in Utah for a year many years ago and never did make it down to Zion or Bryce. It’s on my bucket list. The yarn paintings are so bright and soulful. What a wonderful trip and great time of year to escape New England for just a little while. Now it will be lovely spring, greener and warmer.
All the major parks in Southern Utah are amazing so please do prioritize getting there! We returned home just in time to enjoy spring at home – yay!
Beautiful photographs
Thanks Mariss!
Thank you for sharing your vacation photos. They are absolutely breath-taking. Can only imagine what it must have been like to see those gorgeous landscapes in person
Happy to share the photos. The landscapes are stunning and are so different from here in New England!
Hello Gladi: some great photos from your trip! We really liked the “portrait” shot of you and Al. You both look relaxed and ready for hiking. This trip must surely have inspirational for your quilting craft and given you many decorative ideas to weave into your creations. We’re enjoying Lanciano and yet are looking forward to returning home in mid-June to resume our regularly scheduled program.
Thanks Paul! I do think viewing all sorts of art and craft at least subconsciously affects my own approach to creating!
lways the best part of a trip. Any chance you would show us the back of your 9 patches? I’d love to see how they’re pressed, etc. Your blog is one of my top two. 🙂
maggie in wa
So glad you enjoy the blog! I didn’t see your comment until after posting today so will try to remember to show the back of the 9 Patch next time. I am ironing all seams open and it looks pretty neat.