Melody's Balcony: Desert Views ~ An adventure through Zion, the Grand Canyon, & Sedona

There's nothing quite like driving along a scenic highway. To me, the all American road trip is an honored family tradition. And it's hard to complain about all the the hours spent in a car when the view out your window is as majestic as this. Welcome to Zion National Park, a photographers paradise, in the heart of Utah. Hundreds of thousands of people come through here each week to catch a glimpse of all the beauty and wonder that Zion has to offer. My suggestion? Plan to stay at least a few days. It takes at least an entire day to clear the awe and grasp that you are still in reality. Honestly, trying to describe Zion in words is like trying to catch a fish with your hands, it just gets away from you every time.

Colorful, powerful, majestic, inspiring, and absolutely freeing are what come to mind the most. The towering rocks of Zion can be compared to that of Yosemite & Sedona (the latter I will touch on later) but there is a major difference here in Zion and it's one that is hard to explain. From a photography point of view, I would say it's the lighting. The position on which the sun hits the rocks is soothing, almost poetic. There is a story being told here and if you stay from sunrise to sunset, you will hear it in its entirety.

Of the many hikes available at Zion, I chose the emerald pools. First and foremost, because I wanted to see the natural flow of the waters and their contrast among the rocks. As you can see, they certainly did not disappoint. Secondly, the pools have three elevations, one of which, the lower pools, was closed due to a slide and of course, I found that intriguing. I spent much of my time admiring the lay of the land, where the rocks lye, how they got there, and the interesting formations they make all on their very own.

I cannot express how happy I am that I finally made it to this glorious place. There are two nods I have to give that made our stay here so enjoyable. One is the Hampton Inn & Suites at Zion National Park. I stay at many Hilton facilities but this place surprised me in the best of ways! The room was exquisite, the free breakfast was so much better than expected, & the location was creme of the crop, not to mention the impeccable service. Now for the best and most unique hole in the wall (and I say that with the utmost respect) meal you've ever had, you must go to Oscars Cafe. I had the pesto quesadilla, a fabulous mix of Italian & Mexican cuisine. Watch out Zion, I shall be back to hike the Narrows!!

Now whats a view of the desert without a visit to the world famous Grand Canyon. Yes, we were fortunate enough to get into the Grand Canyon before the government shut it down & thankfully this is a blog on travel and not politics! We started at the North Rim and I'm just going to say it right off the bat, it was by FAR my favorite view of the 277 miles of canyon that lay stretched out along Arizona.

There are several reasons for this preference. One, it's much less crowded than the South Rim. Two, it's more approachable (which might not be best for those who are faint at heart). Three, it's more photogenic. My camera lens simply loved the angles here. You are higher up here on the North Rim which sits at an elevation of approx 8,500 ft. and don't forget, you can't visit here year round like the South Rim. The weather doesn't accommodate visitors between Oct 15th & May 15th. And yes, it's a bit harder to get to as it's not close to any major cities but in my opinion, the North Rim is worth the travel and the seasonal wait.

The drive from the North to the South Rim is about five hours but the scenery is rich in history. My favorite stop was crossing the Navajo Bridge. The original, built in 1929, is still used for pedestrians, while the newer version, an identical replica built in 1995 with up to code standards is host to all the vehicles. The crossing of the Colorado River from Utah into Arizona made huge headway in connecting visitors between the two rims of the Grand Canyon.

The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is definitely more tourist oriented. The lookout tower located near the East entrance was a highlight. The views from above were outstanding but it was the native drawings and paintings inside that make this place a must see! My biggest complaint here was the signage and mapping of the area. Since there is a village and lots of hotels & restaurants, not to mention thousands of daily visitors, it would be nice if I didn't have to spend an hour going in circles only to find out that there is no place to park ANYWHERE! That didn't stop me of course and eventually I found a solution but I would warn anyone planning to visit here to allow a fair amount of time just getting situated.

Breathe in. Breathe out. Okay, all that hassle was worth this incredible view and now comes the good news. The South Rim of the Canyon goes on for what seems like forever! If you're looking for panoramic, you've found it. Of course, there are plenty of other ways to see this magnificent beauty like helicopter, train, mules, & kayaks. We didn't partake in any of these ventures on this trip. I simply walked the upper rim and took it all in. Oh, and the best part? You guessed it, sunset. Unbelievable. It's hard to leave this place without believing that Life itself is truly Grand.

Last but not least on my desert hot list is none other than the gorgeous town of Sedona, Arizona. Known for its riveting red rock formations and eclectic vibe, Sedona's beauty & romance has made it a top destination for weddings and honeymoons. We decided to take Sedona by storm in quite a different way....

Enter Sedona Offroad Adventures. The most exhilarating, intoxicating, albeit bumpy ride ever across the real desert roads in the bareback of red rock country. Who knew what these beasts were capable of climbing?! This was absolutely fantastic!! Well worth every penny. If you want to see the REAL Sedona, buckle up and get out exploring in a Hummer. There's no better way.