Find bliss. Stay a while. This world is Magic!
– Of Wildest Heart

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TOADSTOOLS of GRAND STAIRCASE-ESCALANTE NAT’L MONUMENT, UTAH

*This was Roadside Stop #2, leaving Paige, AZ –> Bryce Canyon*

During our road trip to the South West, I had hoped to visit Coyote Buttes and The Wave of Arizona. But it turned out that visiting those places required permits given out on a lottery system. Boo! :)

So instead we put our extra time into good use by exploring more of the surrounding areas — places we had never heard of before.

The visitor center in Paige, AZ had told us about the Toadstools off highway US Route 89, between Lake Powell and Zion National Park.

And I’m so glad we took some time to find this little piece of Mars!

The day was particularly hot. Surprise, right? We could hardly stand a few seconds in the car without the A.C. So out we hopped!

I thought I had kept myself hydrated, but despite a hat and lots of water, my body was beginning to crash.

…But, Mars!  Walking here brought me right back to the Painted Hills of Oregon. We were separated by several states, yet here we were standing on similar soil.

The shadeless paths led us through hills of stardust.  And then, TOADSTOOLS!

How perfect is Mars?

Sandy waves…

The more we walked, the more Toadstools we discovered.

It was almost as if someone had carefully placed a giant stone on top of each structure to make perfect sandstone mushrooms (or toadstools).

Can you imagine how many years of wind, water, and perfect conditions it took to create these? Just. Whaaaat?

Under other circumstances, I would have been prancing beyond this first stop of the trail. But I was ready to close my eyes and not wake up for the next few days.  Was I really that dehydrated?

Mars proved to be harder on my body than I anticipated.

The short mile-hike suddenly felt endless, and my feet became heavier with every step.

But my spirit was happy :)

We walked back to the car, chugged as much water as we could possibly fit into our bellies, and we were ready to launch our ship back into space. Until next time, Mars. Until next time…

Love & Magic,

Denise

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Stay curious, wild hearts!

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