A Change of Plans - Spring 2011


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North America » United States » Utah » Hurricane
May 15th 2011
Published: June 29th 2011
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Ancient Native PetroglyphAncient Native PetroglyphAncient Native Petroglyph

Seen on a hike near Laughlin, Nevada
With fuel prices heading skyward, we cancelled our Alaska plans and decided to head to Wyoming and Montana instead. On the way north, we stopped for a while in Laughlin and Mesquite, NV, and Hurricane, UT. Laughlin is nothing but a casino town on the Colorado River. Mesquite, another casino town, is also becoming a retirement haven, although development has slowed somewhat due to the economy.

Hurricane, UT is near St. George in southwest Utah, close to the Arizona and Nevada borders. It was first settled by the Mormons from Salt Lake City as “Dixie” or a cotton- and crop-growing region and a summer haven for Brigham Young back in the day. A real pioneer spirit is evident in the area, and there is a Mormon church on every corner, it seems. Diane did quite a bit of research on the Mormon Church, but that is a discussion for another day.

However, the FLDS is also evident. This is the polygamist sect which broke away from the Mormon Church and whose leader, Warren Jeffs, is now in a Texas prison awaiting trial. Women wear the “prairie-style” long dresses and their hair is long and rolled into braids. It’s HBO’s
Western Diamondback RattlesnakeWestern Diamondback RattlesnakeWestern Diamondback Rattlesnake

First one I've seen in the wild....glad I was in the car and could approach from behind for the picture
“Big Love” in person. Quite creepy, and I feel sorry for the young girls who get married off to older men, are forced to have lots of children, and know no other life.

Southwestern Utah is quite lovely, high desert with amazing geologic formations. We enjoyed the beauty of the area.






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Pac Man RockPac Man Rock
Pac Man Rock

That's what this unusual rock reminded me of...
Red Sand BunkersRed Sand Bunkers
Red Sand Bunkers

Seen on a golf course near St. George, Utah
Cedar Breaks National MonumentCedar Breaks National Monument
Cedar Breaks National Monument

Snowed in....will have to come back another time
Bryce Canyon National ParkBryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park

Unusual hoodoo formations always amaze


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