Category: Nature

Posted in Exercise, Experience, Feelings, Food, Nature, Place, River, Surprise, Travel

Trip to the US (Day 6)

Posted on by sonokotchi

I returned to Tokyo.

I wanted to upload my adventure every day/night, but the US is huge; I was at deserted area where internet connection isn’t good.

It took me hours to connect to internet disabling to sleep…and some photos are not uploaded properly – I can view them on my iPhone, but not on my iPad…hummmm

Sorry, I decided to sleep to enjoy my events on Day 6 of My Trip to the US; I needed enough sleep and energy.


Changed to Hummer to drive sandy off-road and walk to the White Pocket.

Unfortunately, we cannot reach there with this Car which is cute and talks.


We need to walk a distance after getting off the car.


It’s hot and dry; need to drink water frequently to avoid dehydration. 


Some rocks have the name.

This is called Brain Rock – hahaha.

Close relook for verification.

This area was elevated at Jurrasic period, about 200 million years ago.

The formation is unique and beautiful.



Originally sands/rocks are in red due to iron.


Rain and it’s water flows (rivers) which can become 1.5 m depth wash off iron and creats white pockets.

Imaging, cows to drink water from white pockets after rain.


We ate lunch (sandwich) at the shadow that we can find there – the place is rocky.

By the way, called Turtle Rocks because rocks look like back of turtle.



The view from our lunch place was nice, but we spotted a serious wildfire in Utah. 


After lunch, we walked to admire the area and rocks.

Rolly Pop Rock – I would name it Layered Cake or Rainbow Ice Cream.



Once again, the place is unique and beautiful.



It takes 2.5 hours to reach the White Pocket from Kanab, Utah by Hummer (4WD).

And we need to walk under heat.

This is why I decided to take sleep.


After a great adventure, we departed Kanab, Utah for Las Vegas, Nevada.

Drove through the Zion National Park on the way to Vegas.

At Zion, we also enjoy looking at unique and beautiful rocks.

The Checkerboard Mesa.


A Birthday Cake?


West Temple and East Temple


The Arch.


And other beautiful rocks.




After enjoying the Mother Earth Nature, arrived CITY – Las Vegas.



Stayed at the Monte Carlo Hotel.




Dinner is buffet.

Hotel encourages to walk Casino to reach a restaurant.

Well, food is nice.


After dinner, went out for a quick walk because I spotted my Hard Rock Cafe!




The city doesn’t sleep; there are many people speaking different languages on the street at late night.

Posted in Experience, Feelings, Food, Nature, Place, River, Travel

Trip to the US (Day 5)

Posted on by sonokotchi

I went to breakfast at 6:30 am, thinking of occupying a restaurant to myself; but I was wrong…the line was already long….many guests are early risers….Ooops.


It’s funny, I just had my nice breakfast, but our first destination of the day was heading for our lunch place because the US is huge…

It took us over two hours to reach there….

We had a lunch at Goulding’s Lodge where the movie, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, was filmed by Director John Ford.

Captain Brittle’s headquarters is still there; today, it became a museum.
According to the museum, many movies are taken here.

These are some examples.


You can visit the museum for free and enjoy nice Navajo Style Taco (charged).

It’s nice and healthy because this is a vegetarian dish: fresh salad, cooked beans on a fried dough.

It was nice!


After lunch, visited the Monument Valley.

We can have take a best view of these iconic symbols at the parking area. 

The monument on the left and right are a pair of mitten. 

I forgot what our guide said about the right square one…? Could it be a cake?


Also Navajo Indians traditional house, Hogans are displayed.


A truck took us to many points in the park to admire these sceneries.

Elephant on the left and sleeping Snoopy on the right.


Close look of Snoopy Rock.


At the left, there are Three Sister and Submarine.


Close look of Three Sisters and Submarine.

It does look like a submarine with its hatch!


View at the John Ford Point.


Look how gorgeous these are.

Humans are so small in front of nature!


The tour took us further to have a great view like this.


Turkey Rock


Rain God Mesa – there are many lines on the side as if these look like rain.

The place is dry as you can easily imagine from these pictures; Navajo people played for precious rain here.


A tour took us places by an opened-car (truck).

It’s hot but recommended to get close to these amazing rocks that are beautifully sculptured by the nature. 


It is so sweet of our driver, Mr. Jackson, to took ne to the place where Forest Gump was filmed.

Please Google and check the scene to find out why I’m running.


Arigato Jackson san!

There is another breath taking place.

Horseshoe Bend.

Colorado River bends like a hourseshoe.

This scenic view is preserved by Glen Canyon Dam; the dam controls water to stop further erosion.


I sat at the tip as if I’m fully occupying this place to myself. hahaha


This is the Glen Canyon Dam preserving Horseshoe Bend and filling Lake Powell.



After freshing up, I had a nice dinner at the hotel restaurant: artichoke soup, grilled chicken and lemon cake.
Yes, I had few glasses of Californian wine to enhance dinner.