The iconic hoodoos of Bryce Canyon in Utah.  These unique rock formations (some as tall as a 10 story building and 30-40 million years old) are really incredible backdrops!

A dramatic shot of Monument Valley, about 5 minutes before I was enveloped in a massive dust storm (which you can see coming on the horizon.)  Perfect timing?

Lower Calf Creek Falls is a great opportunity to stretch your legs along Scenic Byway 12. This 6-mile roundtrip takes the average hiker between 3-4 hours to complete and ends with a spectacular 126ft waterfall (take a dip, it’s the perfect way to cool off once you get there!)

Sunset at Capitol Reef National Park.  Is there anything better than warm, desert nights?  Probably not.

A dwelling in Anasazi State Park.  Archaeologists estimate these ancestral Puebloan habitations were occupied between 1050 and 1175A.D.

Cactus flowers because… desert.

I know I already mentioned Bryce Canyon in this post, but I couldn’t resist a shot of the descent to the canyon floor.  I’ve never seen so many switchbacks, but thank god they had them- it’s straight down (and completely terrifying!)

The winding, narrow trail through Little Wild Horse Slot Canyon is about 5 miles from Goblin Valley and is another great opportunity to stretch your legs. If you do the full 8-mile loop it will take you about 4 hours. Take my advice though, and just hike the lower canyon. The full loop will spit you out on a road in the middle of nowhere that looks like something from The Hills Have Eyes.  I literally thought I would die out there (did it have something to do with the fact that I brought little to no water and wore brand new shoes that hadn’t been broken in yet?  Maybe.  But still…)

Pictographs along Scenic Byway 12.

The trail to Lower Calf Creek Falls (absolutely gorgeous!)  Insider tip: while you’re there don’t forget your sunscreen!  90% of the trail offers no shade.

The iconic rock formations of Monument Valley are the backdrop for several Hollywood films and a favorite shooting location for John Wayne.  With dramatic landscapes like this though, it’s no wonder why The Duke loved it!

Zion National Park boasts a plethora of hiking trails and has always been one of my personal favorites.  The Narrows is a must-see while you’re there!  In addition to being a much less crowded hike, it’s also one of the most scenic.  And bonus- when you reach a point where you want to turn around, you can float back down the river in your drysuit!

In the mood for a dip?  Stop by Slide Rock State Park in Arizona and take a ride down Oak Creek’s natural stone slide.  I’m not even ashamed I was nearly the only one over the age of 12 partaking in the fun!

The southwest has some of the most unique, jaw-dropping rock formations in the U.S.  Everywhere you turn there’s another picture-perfect landscape!

And a bumblebee on a thistle, because it’s adorable.