Zion National Park, Utah, USA

It was pretty late in the afternoon when we arrived at the lodge in Zion National Park, Utah, USA. Despite the long drive we decided to get a first feel of the park by going to the Zion overlook. It was a bit of a drive to get there and the climb upwards was a little more challenging than we expected, but the views were magnificent.

Fast flowing water in the Virgin River, next to the Riverside Walk in Zion National Park, Utah, USA. This river really added a lot to the awesome experience we had while hiking this part of the park.

We really enjoyed the many awesome sights along the Riverside Walk in Zion National Park, Utah, USA. We especially liked this weathered rock wall, caused by water dripping down and through the cracks.

Enjoying the quietly rippling water in the Virgin River, next to the Riverside Walk in Zion National Park, Utah, USA. It was pretty easy to get to the banks of the river. We loved the peaceful sounds of the water flowing past us.

Shallow waters in the Virgin River, next to the Riverside Walk in Zion National Park, Utah, USA. Since we were in the park in the middle of summer the water levels were substantially lower.

These are 'The Narrows' in Zion National Park, Utah, USA. In order to walk any further, the Virgin River needs to be crossed and ... there's not bridge. As I wanted to go a little further I did need to get my feet wet. Let's do this thing!

The Virgin River is next to the Riverside Walk in Zion National Park, Utah, USA. We loved the amazing light reflection created by the vegetation and high cliffs.

Many animals can be seen while hiking on the Riverside Walk in Zion National Park, Utah, USA. Most of them rush away at the sight of humans, but this lovely squirrel was totally at ease.

We loved the green reflections in the Virgin River while hiking the Riverside Walk in Zion National Park, Utah, USA. We stayed here quite some time just admiring the peace and quiet.

Many rapids in the Virgin River can be seen while doing the Riverside Walk in Zion National Park, Utah, USA. Using long exposure photography to get the rapids to look kind of 'milky' white.

Following the curves at Big Bend in Zion National Park, Utah, USA. We loved this stop at the Virgin River and totally understand why it is called Big Bend. It took a bit of climbing down but it was worth it to be close to the water, especially as it was getting quite hot already.

Views like these make us feel humble and insignificant. It's the realization that humans are just a passing thing in the seas of endless time. Zion National Park in Utah, USA is the perfect place to get feelings like that.

Water dripping through the cracks at the Lower Emerald Pools within Zion National Park in Utah, USA. It doesn't look all that much but we actually got pretty wet walking here.

After our evening walk to the Lower Emerald Pools it was time to return to the lodge in Zion National Park, Utah, USA. I can definitely recommend booking a room in the Zion lodge as it is so close to the most important parts of the park.

It's an otherworldly experience driving through Zion National Park, Utah, USA. We had not seen rock formations like these anywhere else. It's really easy to imagine being on another world.

Passing some mesas that are really standing out in Zion National Park, Utah, USA. They sure have a way of getting attention.

We loved the gradient rock colours in Zion National Park, Utah, USA. Not all rocks were created equal apparently. It makes for some very varied views and was a joy to watch.

Admiring some amazing details in Zion National Park, Utah, USA. Great to be able to see these rocks up close. It's hard to imagine that erosion caused all of this.

Navigating our way through Zion National Park, Utah, USA. Mesas and buttes are sticking out everywhere and make for a fantastic landscape. This early in the morning there was hardly any traffic so we had unobstructed views.

Taking in the greatness by climbing some rocks in Zion National Park, Utah, USA. It really made us feel part of nature.

Magnificent looking rock structures in Zion National Park, Utah, USA. If this were ice and snow it looked like a glacier. Well, at least, that's the feeling we got when admiring this.

Trying to get the perfect view in Zion National Park, Utah, USA. It took some climbing but I really liked this view. The colours are amazing.

Can't get enough of these views in Zion National Park, Utah, USA. We stopped quite a lot on our way out of the park which caused some delays in reaching our next destination. But truly, every turn revealed more spectacular views.

We couldn't leave this amazing park without exploring Checkerboard Mesa in Zion National Park, Utah, USA. It is probably its most iconic and well-known landmark. Checkerboard Mesa is situated immediately southwest of the park's east entrance, towering 270 metres above the road. Looking at the lines it's clear where it got its name from.

Fascinating details on Checkerboard Mesa in Zion National Park, Utah, USA. The descriptive name stems from the cliff's distinctive multitudinous check lines in cross-bedded white sandstone which give the impression of a checkerboard.

Getting really close to the most famous landmark in Zion National Park, Utah, USA. The lines on Checkerboard Mesa are clearly visible and extremely intriguing.

The horizontal lines are caused by cross-bedding, a remnant of ancient sand dunes. The vertical and sub-vertical lines formed by the contraction and expansion of the sandstone caused by temperature changes, freezing and thawing cycles, in combination with wetting and drying.