Valley of fire, Zion National park, Brice Park

Back in nature! 
We drove through Valley of fire to discover the red rocks, and that was only the beginning of a couple beautiful national parks! Unfortunately, the American deserts and the heat round 120°F, 45°C is a way to warm for us and also for the van! We “Winter Boys” and Canadian Van sometimes need a rest to cool down! So we take the opportunity to take a nap, play American football or just enjoy the scenery for 30 min before taking the road again!  Afterword, we went for a quick check in a garage to be sure that nothing is wrong with the engine. The mechanic explained us that our beauty was just tired cause of the heat and that could happen with old vehicles. He told us also that we should change the brake pads!  That’s what we did because the people on the sidewalk started to look weird at us when we braked…

Unfortunately, in Zion national park, Steven had to discover the canyon by himself… Roger couldn’t follow him in the water with his crutches. But his wound healed quickly; in Bryce Canyon park he had to see the crazy rocks on a sketchy trails. The adrenaline to see those nice sceneries helped a lot and he went down the trail!

Both parks are really amazing and different. In Zion you can hike to reach the huge cliffs which dominate the valley and walk in the river through the canyon to discover how the water sculpted the rock! All those colours and huge cliffs made us realize that we are really small compared nature. In Bryce the park is smaller but the area is crazy. Like thousands small red towers in the slopes. Every single tower is geologically unique so when you walk through thousands of them the impression is really amazing.

On the way to Capitol Reef, our van was too excited to go over there… it drove a couple mile/h too fast… And yeah, a big grey truck passed us with blue and red lights! We stop judiciously next to the road… (the cop came next to our van…)

- Hey guys, how are you doing?
- Petty good, thanks! (more scary about the new)
- You know way I stop you ?
- Mmh, maybe because I drove a bit too fast trough the village…
- Yes Sir! You drove 40miles/h instead of 35miles/h!
- Possible, I’m sorry, I didn’t pay attention…
- Can I have you driving licence and the papers of the car?
- Here it is.
- (after the check) On the paper it’s written that your van is “blue”… It’s more white no!?
- I don’t know sir; the insurance gave it us like that… I mean it’s also a bit pink and green…
- Anyways, you know that the ticket is $115!?
- Poha, that’s a lot, that’s what I paid yesterday to fix my brakes!
- I’m not allowed to do that but, I will keep that ticket and give you a warning!
- Thank you very much!
- Where are you coming from?
- We started in Canada and wander through the USA!
- Nice! And you meet a lot of American girls hein!? haha (is he serious!?)
- haha, not really here in the area…
- No!? Go to the next gas station on the right! There is a nice blond chick behind the desk!
- Haha thanks for your advice sir!
- No worries guys have a nice trip and drive more slowly!
- We will, have a good day!
That’s what happened when a police man arrest us! Isn’t it that crazy !?

Finally we arrived in Capitol Reef, it’s a less famous park but also less crowded! We found some nice spots to hike and also discover an animal we have never seen, the “Prairie dog”!