Other Exchange Blogs

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

The end is near


Leaving a place after vacation especially a good one is always a little difficult, but I believe the ride made up for it. Besides rationing my cell phone battery, the ride back was very rewarding.
After leaving the hotel we encountered a storm on its way to the Utah valley. After a natural car wash and a few hours of driving, we approached the desert metropolis that is Las Vegas and took advantage of the photoshoot opportunities as we continued down the strip.
                *Palm trees photobomb more than I ever could’ve thought xD
Not to mention the sheer amount of casinos in Nevada. Other than desert, the first thing we saw as we entered and left the state were casinos ahah not even one of those “Goodbye, come back soon,” or “Thanks for visiting signs.”

As for California, the drive also came with a fairly good amount of rain on top of a sandstorm in the Mojave. Contrary to when we began our trip, the SoCal (Southern California) mountains actually had snow this time around. As always, the sun also came out. I don’t know if it was from my bumblebee outfit of sweatpants and an Amsterdam shirt or my smile xD, but it came out.
                *Even if it was just for a little the Golden State was also the sunshine state

Back to back road trip sandstorms

Still pumping out pictures

The brunt is behind us.. so we thought

Cali clouds overtaking the peaks

The sierras <3

Snow, sandstorm, and rain in one day
Until next time, 

Return to Brian Head

The slopes and sunset on this crisp night as the mountain breeze and snow clouds began to move in froze us in time. Passing through 4 states in 3 days took us from a sunny paradise, an expanse of desert and the hottest place on earth to the badlands and red rocks of southern Utah, and above all, the closest thing to a white Christmas.

Country roads, friendly waves and comforting and welcoming vibes will make it a little hard to leave. Whether it began as a joke or not... maybe I should have applied to a university in Utah? I definitely recommend you make time to visit regardless of how small the towns or cities in this state may seem to be.


First frozen lake

People are actually ice fishing




Is that a winter wonderland or what?

The entrance on the opposite side of the mountain

I guess it can be called a town

Silent night


 The best things in life take searching for.

What Happens in Vegas

We couldn't go home without a little pit stop
Apparently not out of business in Utah


Encountering the storm

Where's the white?

Just like that one reaches the sun of Vegas

Completely dry

Space needle?



Surprisingly clean roads

This place is... wow


Talk about an entrance

Looks like both NYCs are warm this year



Not disney..

Am I in Giza?

Monaco!!

What's a Canyon

Does anyone know? What makes a canyon truly a canyon?

With these questions and answers in mind (hopefully) you can answer this next question.
Is Bryce Canyon National Park a canyon?

The park although not as dynamic as zion has its own flare. 9,000 feet high gorges drop to the valley below. Infamous hoodoos break free from the surrounding Plateau and join the landscape. Cold mountain breezes and large swathes of forests full of trees populate this National Park.

Mule deer graze through the snow covered forest floor in search of anything to eat as bears hibernate the winter away; Ravens still scoping the earth from above, scowering the land for a free meal whether a decomposing carcus or fresh road kill.

Lastly, why do our National Parks seem to be visited and appreciated by more foreigners than locals? I am not bashing the tourism and notariety nor am I unappreciative of the conversation I was able to have with two rangers after recieving another Junior Ranger badge. I am merely wondering where our appreciation is of these places unique to our large, diverse country that spans a continent and attracts millions of tourists. There is more to be explored then Yellowstone and Yosemite.
Because a lighthouse in a southern Utah valley is totally practical




First glimpses of Bryce

Nature at work



Like father like son

Scenic alright!

The famous hoodoos

If only people did high altitude training rather than doping

Add caption

A canyon requires a river

Does anyone else see the face?

These quaint towns are icing on the cake

Enjoy!




Highest Resort Town in America

Luckily no one in our party was suffering from altitude sickness and/or headaches, but the cold was present. Yet, this day was nonetheless beautiful. 


When you venture to a ski resort the first thing you think of are skiing and snowboarding, but we tried something different. We went tubing and after an hours of fun we uped the stakes; adding that the losers get the winners hot chocolate. This then split into two parties, and you know, us two youngies beat my parents.
Hoping the road wasn't closed

Deceiving from afar, the mountain is densely populated by trees 

The lights of the Resort appear

Flying snowflakes at night at 10,000ft

Any tips on how to get clearer night photos with so many lights?


Despite arriving a little after the final session began one night; we returned the very next day.

*Stay tuned