Road Trip South with Eden Part 1

24-29 June 2026

Mars wanted to bring Eden to some favorite spots, so the 3 of us and Alex hit the road. It was way too hot and windy to camp most of the time so we stayed in hotels all but the last night. Happened to dodge the fires and smoke raging throughout the state 🙂 Great car snacks and tunes. Had a delightful time!

Day 1

Hiked down in a bit
Cloudy day but it didn’t ever rain
They are so happy to finally be together
Drove into Zion from the east…Checkerboard Mesa
Drove through the massive tunnel and stopped on the other side
Zion is SO incredible!

We drove back out the same way and headed toward Page. We had thought about stopping at Lake Powell on the way there but it got pretty late and was getting dark so we drove straight through. Got dinner at a brewery before heading to the hotel.

Day 2

Grand Canyon!
We walked around the rim over to the geology station
After lunch in the village we headed out. BRAKED when we saw this incredible storm!
Made it out to Lake Powell. I guess I had never taken the kids there.
3 of us enjoyed the swim. Mars was apparently about to die haha
Super cool storm and sunset back at the hotel

Day 3

Made a quick stop at Horseshoe Bend before heading out
Stopped on the way to Moab at Monument Valley
Did the off-road drive through. Not too horrible and really beautiful!
This is the formation featured in Soarin Over America 🙂
Alex drove the rest of the way to Moab. First stop at Arches…Balanced Rock!
Double Arch
Climbed up underneath and got this view
Hey Mars!
Mars and Eden standing in the Garden of Eden
We almost took a late-night hike out to Delicate Arch, but our lack of water made us reconsider
Hiked through the Park Avenue area instead
great echo and a bit spooky