Cedar Breaks/Cedar City, UT June 25-July 1

Visited the spectacular Cedar Breaks National Monument, 10,000 ft above sea level, again part of the west end of the Colorado plateau, approx 70 miles north of St. George; erosion of a lake bed forms a very unstable amphitheater of eroded sandstone, colors of red, orange, yellow and even some purple. Only open 5 months of the year, while 110 in Vegas, it was 75 at Cedar Breaks with snow still visible on the ground. Perimeter continues to erode at 12mm/year; they have to constantly move the viewing areas back, and eventually will have to move the ranger headquarters. So many different landscapes. One view of the amphitheater; you can see the edge of the viewing area at the bottom of the picture.

Another shot at a different angle. Depth is about 2500 feet down.

Nice spires, huh? Drive up to the entrance was pretty great also.

Marlene, on the edge, feeling brave (and cool).

Lost in America.

Well, we hooked up and were going to Bryce Canyon over a mountain when we got an overheat light. Promptly stopped, cooled off, unhooked went back down the mountain to a town called Cedar City on I-15 about 60 miles North of St. George. Discovered a bad engine cooling fan, and replaced water temperature sensors (they read 15-20 degrees higher than actual). Hopefully will leave tomorrow. In the meantime, spent a few days in Cedar City, another pretty Mormon town (smaller than St. George); they call themselves the city of festivals, and home to Southern Utah University. Shakespeare Festival currently going on, Neil Simon Festival to begin in few weeks, and this past Saturday was "Groovefest", a one day long series of individual and group musical performances at an outdoor park in the center of town. Think a mini-Woodstock with a Mormon flavor (that should scramble your brain). Example: One country group kept saying they would be kicked off the stage if they didn't stop talking about "reefers", much to the crowd's delight. A lot of fun. Some adventure. Got a great haircut for $13.

Me, getting ready to explore Cedar City yesterday morning.

Marlene getting ready to enjoy a dinner of chicken done on the grill, with summer salad and glass of Chardonay. We are roughing it!