Our first stop was the overlook into Cedar Breaks National Monument. It's kind of like a small version of Bryce Canyon, although there's a really nice drive up into the mountains in order to see it.

There's lots of interesting geology as you look down to the valley below.

Andy and Ted taking in the view.

This is a nearly vertical view down the cliff in front of us. It's a long ways down.

Andy and Ted again.

The trees were already turning yellow at that elevation. This was taken on the way down the mountain from Cedar Breaks.

It's hard to see, but we drove by an enormous (acres and acres) pile of blackish crumbly rock that looked like a lava flow from sometime in the last several millenia.

Our first view of Bryce Canyon, taken from Sunrise Point. For reference, the <a href="http://www.nps.gov/brca/maps.htm">park map</a> is available from the NPS website.

Another view from Sunrise Point.

Andy and Ted.

Strange natural formations at Sunset Point.

Some hoodoos (the pointy rock formations) are visible in the main Ampitheatre.

Andy and Ted at Sunset Point.

More hoodoos as seen from Sunset Point.

More hoodoos.

A close up of some of the hoodoos. A few hikers are barely visible in the lower left, giving a sense of scale.

Andy.

A view of a ridge from Inspiration Point.

Hoodoos on the side of the ridge at Inspiration Point.

Our first view of Zion, as we enter the canyon. We took the Zion-Mount Carmel Hwy from the east, and entered the park. The descends through the center of the canyon, so most views are looking up at the surrounding canyon walls. The <a href="http://www.nps.gov/zion/pphtml/maps.html">park map</a> is available.

Ted examining the scenery. The road was paved to be red.

About to enter a tunnel, cut into the canyon.

The road.

More mesas.

A pseudo-arch.

There's one really long tunnel that cuts through the canyon wall. This is a window that looks into the tunnel. The tunnel itself runs horizontally in this picture, right behind the face of the canyon. This picture was taken after leaving the tunnel and winding down the side of the mountain.

The visitor center sign. The mountain in the background is the Watchman.