A day off and more pictures

Days off are key for morale and the professor's sanity.  The students are off enjoying themselves and I'm enjoying some air conditioning (it's almost 100F right now!) and a high-speed internet connection.  We spent the last week mapping in the central Canyon Range and tomorrow will begin a 3-day exercise along the western part of the range.  On Friday, we will move out to Great Basin National Park near Baker, Nevada.

So at long last, here are pictures from the trip so far (click on pictures for larger version):

The Canadian Armada headed toward Craters of the Moon, Idaho.

Kyle conquering Angel's Landing in Zion NP

Stephen M., Justin, Erin, Cal, Anthony, Marko, and Josh on the hidden arch in Hidden Canyon, Zion NP

Cody on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon

At Mile Zero of the Colorado River (Lee's Ferry) - where the raft trips begin above the Grand Canyon and where the water temperature is 47F!!  Several of us jumped in... I'm still trying to get those pics from "Camera Steve" (Michalchuk).

Monument Valley

An arch not in Arches NP.  South of Moab.

The Grand Staircase of the Colorado Plateau (view north from road to Grand Canyon North Rim)

Salt Valley - our 3-day exercise near Moab.

Cal, AJ, and John mapping in Salt Valley.

Kyle (pictured), Cody, Drew, Cal, and Melissa decided to "relax" on our Moab day off with some climbing.

Cody on the Navajo Sandstone

It's very relaxing.  Really.

Our camp in the Canyon Range (Fishlake National Forest).

Note the "Cooler Dam" - an excellent natural refrigeration system.

World class geology in the Canyon Range (view to the north)

World class geology in the Canyon Range (view to the south)