L'escargot's First Big Trip...

L'escargot, our new Camp Inn #784, followed us home from Necedah to Columbus Ohio in December 2015. After 12 nights of short trips around home, we set off on 3 1/2 weeks out west to family, friends and 4 national parks.



We left Columbus on a sunny August 24, 2016 morning, and pulled into a campground on Perry Lake near Topeka KS in pouring rain. Still hard rain in the morning. That day the area got over 6" of rain.



We spent several days with family and friends in Denver. Ah, Rocky Mountain sunsets...



We headed west for three nights in Zion National Park.



From our campsite, we walked to the free shuttle bus up Zion Canyon, and spent most of the day walking/wading 2 1/2 miles up the Virgin River Narrows.



The next day, we hiked to the top of Scout's Lookout and Angels Landing. A 1500' climb, the last 500' up holding onto a chain with a 1000' drop on ether side. (it's the peak on the left)





A nice dinner, after some very nice hikes. Utah's own Polygamy Porter, for "when you're having more than one"...





On the way from Zion to Bryce National Park, we saw a dozen Big Horn Sheep.


A beautiful campsite at Bryce, and a beautiful sunrise and hike the next day!





On for a night in Death Valley National Park. It was 113 degrees when we arrived (and 83 at 6am), but we had a shady site and a swimming pool at Furnace Creek.



There's a big area of sand dunes in Death Valley. Lots of animal tracks.



We don't have AC, but some shade, door screens and a Fantastic Fan made it OK ('it's a dry heat') And a cool one!





On to stay with some relatives in San Jose. One day we went to Big Basin Redwoods State Park, and to Shark Fin Cove, both fairly close by.





Yosemite! Three nights at Hodgdon Meadow Campground.



First day, we drove to the valley, parked (thousands of cars and people) and biked two flat miles to hike (not flat) up to top of Vernal Falls, a 1000' climb.



Second day, we drove up the Glacier Point Rd, and hiked (300' climb) to the top of Sentinel Dome.



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Just a few more on 'L'escargot Part Two'...

 

What a great trip!
Thanks for sharing it with us!!

 

You're welcome... our first big trip, hopefully many more to come!

 

Beautiful pictures!

 

Nice trip -great scenery.

Bob