Summer Trip 2021 – Alana's Backyard Ecology

Hello, this is the story of my family’s 2021 summer trip out west. Enjoy!

Day 1 – June 12

Vacations are usually relaxing and exciting when at your destination. Arriving to your destination is quite the opposite, but that is how my summer trip begins.

The sun is starting to set on a long day of driving.

Day 2 – June 13

The second day of a long drive always seems easier then the last. With this being the case we had finally made it to our first stop, glorious Pagosa Springs, Colorado.

Day 3 – June 14

This day we decided to really start off our vacation. First we hiked up to a beautiful running waterfall, then we went on a longer more scenic hike up a mountain. Lastly we ended the day relaxing in some natural hot springs.

Treasure Falls waterfall was our first hike. (1 mile)

Here is a flower from the scenic Coyote Hill Loop Trail. (3.4 miles)

This is one of the many hot springs that we relaxed in after a long day.

Day 4 – June 15

This was the last day in Colorado, so we decided to hike a much longer trail then yesterday. The hike ended at two majestic waterfalls.

These are some of the breathtaking views that we witnessed on the Fourmile Falls hike. (8.3 miles)

Day 5 – June 16

We left Colorado and went into Utah. We set up camp at Lake Powell, and enjoyed cliff jumping into the water.

Horseshoe Bend was one of the stops we went to before our final destination.

We camped right on the beach, where the temperature reached up to 110 degrees!!

Day 6 – June 17

We left Utah and headed for The Grand Canyon, located in Arizona. We went on hikes and ended the day camping.

This is only one of our many pictures of The Grand Canyon.

Day 7 – June 18

We woke up early the next day and went straight to Zion National Park. We climbed up rocks, hiked trails, and finished with camping for the third night.

There were many animals around like deer and big squirrels.

A lake that was along a trail we walked on.

Day 8 – June 19

After camping in The Grand Canyon and Zion we went over to Bryce Canyon. There, we walked in and around the Canyon. Then ended the day camping for the last time.

These were some of the amazing things we saw on our canyon hike.

Day 9 – June 20

We finished our camping streak and drove to Moab. We walked around a few places in Arches National Park.

Day 10 – June 21

This day we took a hike around a site where they had dinosaur fossils. Then we hiked two more trails up to see some arches.

Day 11 – June 22

We left Moab and went straight to Aspen Colorado. When we arrived we went downtown and checked out an art museum. While there, we also looked around at various art galleries.

These are some of the beautiful peace’s in the art museum.

Day 12-13 – June 23-24

After staying in Aspen for a day, we left to visit our family in Denver Colorado. We stayed there for two days. And went just to a few places.

These are a few things we saw during the days.

Day 14-15 – June 25-26

We packed up and left for our long drive home. These final days of our trip were probably the hardest days, but when returning to your house after two weeks you realize that it’s worth it.