Adventures of PrincessNg

WELCOME to UTAH

The snowcapped mountains that were enveloped with cotton-candied clouds.. This view sprawled in front of us as we were crossing the state line. It was a sight for eyes that were blinded by the bright lights! I couldn't wait to see what Zion National Park has to offer!

It was a rather unnerving drive, and somehow the winds were ridiculous! (It was very scary to have winds going at that speed and having the car you're in swerving from being blown) So there we were swerving away, hoping no trailers were near us! (It was later that night that we saw trailers being overturned by those winds)

We reached the gateway town of Zion National Park is Springdale. It is a quaint little village (I call it village because it is really our there in the mountains and you could walk one end to the other end of what I think is the "bustling town centre").

We had to stop. For one, I was HUNGRY!! And next I saw elks and buffalos.. You see, I am but a girl who predominantly grew up in the tropics of Singapore (albeit that short stint in California when I was young). And as a typical girl who grew up in Singapore, the animals I see are those that are in the zoo! And elks and buffalos aren't any of them. (Though oddly we do have the polar bears in the zoo here..)

So we spent more time again (if you are going there during the winter, don't do what we did.. REMEMBER to take note of the time). By the time we reached Zion National Park, the sky was a pinkish hue. We managed to walk around the Visitor Centre and collected some information about the park.

Then off to the motel we were staying. (Which was an hour away because that was what we could afford) BAD idea... As we were driving in Zion National Park (coz the motel was one hour from the other entrance) we saw the sun setting in the rear view mirror (meaning we were heading East). And you know roads in National Parks has NO LIGHTS!! There we were in the dark.. and there was snow around. And as if that wasn't bad enough, we had to drive through a winding section that had steep cliff-offs with no barriers.

The worst of it was that I, being in the passenger's seat, was on the cliff-off side! The HORROR!! If my friend drove anything more than 30mph I was screaming at the top of my lungs. We didn't have any snow chains on our tires. WHAT WERE WE THINKING!!

But we managed to reach Best Western Red Hills, the most expensive lodging we had for this trip. A luxury if you ask me!! (Dinner was MacDonalds as that was the only thing that was open)

The next morning we were back at Zion National Park! We hiked Canyon Overlook Trail. It was a really short trail. Just be careful of some steep cliff-offs (ok.. I'm a total chicken. But you can't blame me. I'm a city girl who practically lives in a concrete jungle)

Canyon Overlook Trail

Went to hike the Emerald Pool. Beautiful trail. It was lush greenery covered in snow! (I'm a sucker for snow coz I live in a region with 2 seasons Sunshiney or Rain) And to see the waterfall even if it was trickling in Winter. The beauty was astounding.. The tree branch at the bottom of the fall, totally icicled. But do take note that it is VERY icy.. better be careful. I was literally hugging the railings and pulling myself up.

Icicles anyone?

And we had lunch in the Park itself.. EVERYTHING is expensive in the park. Ridiculous!!

We wanted to try another trail before heading back to the motel. We decided to try the Echo Canyon Trail. What scared me even before starting the hike was the SIGN!!

"DEATHS has occured" due to the step cliff-offs. Can you imagine how scary that sounds... Noooooooo..... But I tried to be gutsy and trudged on. Oh it was a bad idea... Before seeing any cliff-offs, I was already falling on my bum as the trails was icy. So after trying for 10mins, we decided to head back before being a danger to ourselves.

I really love Zion National Park. It felt quaint and the views are varied. We have the rocks to see, and the lush vegetation.. Add on the trickling waterfall.

Truly MY WINTER WONDERLAND...

This is an itinerary of my first ever Road Trip in the US of A! Ok, it is more like my first ever to plan on my own and embarked with a friend without any family members. (When I was little, I did remember road-trips my family made in California during the weekends and holidays)

This is for reference. I will highlight each place of interest in seperate entries.

For a more detailed breakdown, CLICK HERE for my itinerary!

DAY 1: Phoenix, AZ - San Diego, CA

The entire day is spent on the road getting to San Diego, CA. A great route that showcases great sceneries: desert landscapes, snow dustings in the mountaineous regions (Kumeyaay Highway), sand dunes (Imperial Sand Dunes) and wind turbines (on Campo Indian Reservation).

DAY 2: Exploring San Diego, CA Exploring San Diego.

Having been to San Diego before, I skipped SeaWorld. I went to explore the lesser known attractions it has to offer. Cabrillo National Monument, Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, Coronado and Silver Strand State Beach..



DAY 3: San Diego, CA - Los Angeles, CA

We thought we could leave later since Los Angeles was a short drive away from San Diego. However, I've always been a klutz.. (Still am!!) Wasted the ENTIRE DAY driving from San Diego to Los Angeles and back to San Diego (to pick up something I left at the motel! I did tip the housekeeping staff who kep my mobile phone safe..) and back to Los Angeles. Stayed off Los Angeles at Valencia.

DAY 4: Six Flag Magic Mountain, Los Angeles, CA

Six Flag Magic Mountain! Didn't want to go to Disneyland as i've been there when I was staying there. I know it changes, but I wanted thrilling rides! Off to the coasters!! And on Christmas Eve, it was EMPTY!!!

DAY 5: Hollywood, CA - Las Vegas, NV

A short walk around Hollywood. The usual: Grauman's Chinese Theatre, Kodak Theatre, seeing the Hollywood sign, etc. And on the road to Las Vegas, NV. A LOOOONG ride.. What essentially was a 5hr drive became far longer due to the MASSIVE traffic (everyone was travelling on Xmas day). Traffic was moving, but it was slooooow..

DAY 6: Las Vegas, NV

Headed to the Las Vegas strip and walked the ENTIRE DAY!! We walked down admiring the Bellagio, Paris, MGM, Sands, Luxor, New York, Caesar's Palace etc.. We walked the entire strip, taking pictures. We went into casinos, had cheap food. Saw tigers, aquariums, etc. Ur senses will go BEZERK. Saw the sun set and the glittering strip twinkled before me.

DAY 7: Las Vegas, NV - Kanab, UT

Outlet SHOPPING!! But alas, a quick one before heading on the road again. Back to the desert landscapes. But I do have to admit that when you cross the border to Utah, you will be amazed at the beauty just by crossing the border. AMAZING!! The most high-strung I've been on a road trip. Be very careful to plan really well. NOBODY should ever get caught like we did. The sun had set and we were driving through Zion National Park to get to the motel. Steep cliff-offs, snow, narrow winding road.. GOSH!!



DAY 8: Zion National Park, UT

Exploring the beautiful national parks the States have to offer. I absolutely love going to their national parks. Got up early to drive to Zion National Park. The first trail we went to was the Canyon Outlook. It was so beautiful seeing the scenery. Amazing. We did 2 more trails and called it a day. Lush greeneries with snow everywhere. It was a winter wonderland!


DAY 9: Kanab, UT - Page, AZ

Driving through, it was amazing the landscape that you see. The way they made their highways are great. Any great scenary can be admired especially with the slip-offs they have. The drive down was a slow and relaxing one. Reached Page, the gateway Arizonian town of Glen Canyon National Recreational Area. Stunning sceneray again.

DAY 10: Glen Canyon National Recreational Area, AZ - Phoenix, AZ

Woke up early to do a tour of the dam. It was FREE, and it was very educational. Wanted to see Antelope Canyon but it was raining for 2 days before. Just my luck!! It's a desert and it rained when I was there. It is where the beautiful pictures are taken of the canyon. So off we went to hike to see the Horseshoe Bend. The national parks is haven for ANY geography teachers. It was a scenery that was just breathtaking. And after, it was back to Phoenix, AZ.