Issue 01
In Very Beautiful Places this issue: American parks, a closer look at Yellowstone, Arches, The Grand Canyon and Monument valley
SITUATED IN UTAH, MONUMENT VALLEY CAN BE SEEN VIA A 17 MILE DIRT IN MIND THAT PARTS OF MONUMENT VALLEY ARE ONLY ACCESSIBLE
The road through
ROAD THAT TAKES 2 -3 HOURS TO DRIVE. HOWEVER, KEEP THROUGH A GUIDED TOUR. PIC: NICOLE SIMPSON
Monument Valley
BY: NICOLE SIMPSON Nestled
Called Tse’Bii’Ndzisgaii by in the the Navajo, Monument Navajo Tribal Park the valley Valley stands at stands out of the heights of 100 to surrounding landscape 1,000 feet. reaching for the sky with its pinnacles of rock.
Along the 17 mile scenic drive you will see the monuments and be able to identify them with the names given to them by the Navajo people and early settlers of Monument Valley. The park is made up of buttes, mesas and spire rock structures.
You can visit the Rain God Mesa which marks the geological center of the park. Here Navajo medicine men pray to the Rain God, Tó Neinilii, to give thanks for storing water for the people. See the The Three Sisters which represent a Catholic nun facing her two pupils, and even Bird Spring which over looks a vast sand dune. EDITOR: There are many Nicole Simpson more to explore and we CONTENT EDITOR: encourage Robert Boffard you to explore CONTRIBUTORS: Gail Z. Martin | Jacquelyn Frank this John van de Ruit | Melissa Marr | Warren Ellis valley.
IMAGES:
Kristen Cashore | Jim Al-Khalili
And nearby... You can visit the Mexican Hat NAMED BECAUSE OF ITS CURIOUS SHAPE, THIS 60-FOOT WIDE, 12-FOOT THICK SOMBRERO SHAPED ROCK IS LOCATED ON ROUTE 163, NEAR MONUMENT VALLEY THERE ARE 2 ROCK CLIMBING ROUTES THAT GO UP THE HAT. PIC: NICOLE SIMPSON
WEBSITE RESOURCES:
navajonationparks.org www.nps.gov
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
The Traveling Companions (Dane and Rayne Taylor, and Rob Boffard) without you this edition would not have been possible
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND PICTURES VISIT: WWW.VBP.COM
Yellowstone... So muc BY: NICOLE SIMPSON
Yellowstone National Park is best known for Old Faithful, a geyser that erupts every hour or so. But Yellowstone has so much more to offer. Spanning over 28,000 square miles, Yellowstone is centered around the Caldera, the continent's largest super volcano. It is also home to half world's active geysers - which are the main reason that the park was established in 1872. The park preserves a huge range of aquatic, terrestrial and microbial life. Not only does it offer a vast plethora of geographical marvels, many animals call it home as well. Grizzly bears, wolves, elk and bison make up one of the last remaining intact natural ecosystems in the temperate zone.
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you as you drive around the park. The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, boast hydrothermally altered rhyolite and multihued walls. It is also one of the largest canyons in the world. As you make your way along the canyon you can discover the house-sized granite boulder, deposited there by an early Pinedale Glacier. At Inspiration Point you can see stunning views along the river. Viewing the Lower Falls from the Brink is inspirational and a must on your journey.
The animals of the park have had a rocky history - wolves for instance were dwindled down to zero by 1994. And in 1995 and 1996 had to be reintroduced. This is a success story however, as now there are over 300 living in the greater Yellowstone area.
Another must, is visiting the Grand Prismatic Spring. This geyser basin is filled with thermophiles which are nourished by energy and chemicals that are available in the hot springs. The microbes construct coloured communities that are startling to behold. This is a phenomenon that must be seen to be truly appreciated. A wooden walkway allows for easy access to see the pools.
Bison are another success story. After being hunter to near extinction they are now thriving to such an extent that plan are being considered to reintroduce some of them to other parts of America. There are other surprises waiting for
This is a park that can truly be enjoyed by people of all ages. Between the bubbling mud pools, the geysers, the landscapes that appear to be smoking and the wildlife, Yellowstone National Park is not to be missed. ď ¸
ch more than just one geyser
(ABOVE) A HERD OF BISON GRAZE PEACEFULLY ALONGSIDE A RIVER (FAR LEFT) OLD FAITHFUL ERUPTS LIKE CLOCKWORK (BELOW) THE PRISMATIC POOL IN ALL ITS BEAUTIFULLY COLOURED GLORY (RIGHT) VIEW FROM THE TOP OF THE GRAND CANYON OF YELLOWSTONE PICS: NICOLE SIMPSON
For those that enjoy hiking THERE ARE 1,449 KM OF HIKING TRAILS THROUGHOUT THE PARK. DAY HIKING DOES NOT REQUIRE A PERMIT. REMEMBER THAT THERE ARE INHERENT DANGERS IN WILDERNESS HIKING AND TO TAKE ALL REASONABLE PRECAUTIONS. FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.NPS.GOV/YELL/PLANYOURVISIT
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(LEFT) THE DELICATE ARCH, THE MOST PHOTOGRAPHED AND ARGUABLY THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ARCH IN THE PARK (TOP) A SIGHT NOT OFTEN SEEN, A DOUBLE RAINBOW OPPOSITE THE DELICATE ARCH (ABOVE) THE GLOWING ROCKS AT SUNSET PIC: NICOLE SIMPSON
Arches National Park: A red rock paradise By: Nicole Simpson Arches National Park in Utah is one of the most stunning geological sites in America. When told that the rock will glow red at sunset, believe it. The beautiful landscape has many arches in the park, but perhaps the most famous is the Delicate Arch. This arch is a 65-foot tall freestanding natural arch that is situated at the edge of what appear to be a giant coin bowl.
the area is covered by a biological soil which plays a huge role in the surrounding eco-systems. However walking or cycling over it damages the fragile organism and so visitors are strongly encouraged to keep to the hiking trails and paths that are already established.
It's easy to forget the wildlife and vegetation in this incredible place, but they hold their own secrets. Much of
Discover a landscape of incredible colors and texture, with over 2,000 natural arches, this park is sure to impress. ď ¸
Return Address: Very Beautiful Places 945 Jervis Street, Apt 603 Vancouver V6E2B8
Robert Boffard 945 Jervis Street, Apt 603 Vancouver V6E2B8
Contact us for more information, or to send in suggestions of what areas you would like to explore. Or connect with us on @VBP WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/VBP
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