Zion & Bryce Archives | LotsaSmiles Photography

Sunstar peeking into Yosemite Valley at sunrise | LotsaSmiles Photography

Why Winter is a Great Time to Visit a National Park

February 6, 2019February 5, 2019 by Brianna Shade

Brianna Shade

If you're anything like me, then you love visiting national parks. Not only are they a great reprieve from the bustling city life, but they also afford some of the most spectacular views in the country. Add to that opportunities for unique geological sites, history recounted right in the landscapes, and…

Bryce Canyon: Hiking the Rim Trail

June 21, 2018June 24, 2018 by Brianna Shade

Brianna Shade

These adventurous photographers spent our last day in the beautiful Bryce Canyon National Park soaking up every view we possibly could! We rose early for one last fiery sunrise, and we kept our boots on the trail as long as we could before taking the grueling trip back to Salt…

The sun peeks through the hoodoos as it sets over a frozen Bryce National Park

Bryce Canyon: Driving the Rim and Fairyland Loop

June 14, 2018June 14, 2018 by Brianna Shade

Brianna Shade

After a morning being drawn in by the trails, we took things a bit easy, sampling this magnificent park from the road.. until our itchy feet lured us back out to the trails once more. In a place like this, we just couldn't help ourselves! (more…)

Biweekly Wow: Sunset Point

May 31, 2018June 7, 2018 by Brianna Shade

Brianna Shade

We visited both Sunrise Point and Sunset Point in Bryce Canyon National Park, and we found they really aren't very different. Spaced just a half mile apart, you can get the same views from both. However, Sunrise gives more of the valley floor and the northern distance, while Sunset focuses…

Bryce Canyon: Call of the Trail

May 24, 2018May 22, 2018 by Brianna Shade

Brianna Shade

After a spectacular morning being awed by Bryce, the trail called. And this wasn't an "oh, we should check that one out later" or even a "that trail looks interesting; let's pack up our camera gear and go for a hike!" Nope. This was a "ooh, I wonder what's down…

This tree holds on by just its roots at the edge of a snowy Bryce Canyon

Biweekly Wow: Sunrise Point

May 3, 2018May 3, 2018 by Brianna Shade

Brianna Shade

I am quickly finding that most of Bryce is a Weekly Wow. After all, how many places in the world have these unlikely geological features? The colors - the rich red of the rocks, the deep green of the trees, the vibrant blue of the morning sky - all accentuated…

Bryce Canyon: First Impressions

April 26, 2018April 25, 2018 by Brianna Shade

Brianna Shade

Zion was wonderful. We got to see one of the oldest national parks in the country, we experienced some crazy hikes, and we snapped some cool photos. However, from the moment we came within half an hour of Bryce, we were blown away. (more…)

Biweekly Wow: Bryce Canyon’s Fire & Ice

April 19, 2018April 18, 2018 by Brianna Shade

Brianna Shade

About two months later, and we're finally to Part II of our little trip to Bryce and Zion National Parks. Much like Yosemite, we ventured out to these parks in late winter not only to avoid crowds but also in the hopes of finding snow. We were pretty disappointed in…

Zion’s Emerald Pools

April 12, 2018April 12, 2018 by Brianna Shade

Brianna Shade

Day 2 of our stay in Zion National Park was fairly low-key. After all, we were pretty beat after the crazy climb to the top of Angels Landing! We started the day with a cold wait for sunrise at the Canyon Overlook, and then we took a leisurely stroll to…

A car makes its way up the Zion valley just before dawn

Biweekly Wow: Zion’s Canyon Overlook

March 29, 2018March 28, 2018 by Brianna Shade

Brianna Shade

I'm somewhat beginning to adopt a habit of posting my "weekly wow"s every other week, so I suppose they're more of a "biweekly wow." I still have so much to share from this trip! I hope you're enjoying the journey. After our rainy bust at Zion's Canyon Overlook the morning…

1 2 Next »