Saturday 20 January 2018

"Over every mountain there is a path, although it may not be seen from the valley." - Theodore Roethke _ Hiking into the wilderness... _ This little corner of Southern Utah is highly underrated. Only about an hour drive east from Zion National Park, Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is a dream for ATVs and sandboarding. You can rent a sand sled for $25 from the park staff or in my case I tried to improvise by sliding down this 50-foot dune on a cardboard box. In the end the box split in the powder-soft sand and I ended up sliding on my backside and sand in every possible crevice. Hilarious! _ On this Arizona/Utah road trip I used my @tepwireless hotspot every day for Google Maps and on-the-fly accommodation bookings. _ #utahgram


"The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience." - Eleanor Roosevelt _ Hickman Bridge in Capital Reef National Park, Utah. _ The short hike out to this beautiful rock formation is relatively easy. It is one of the most popular trails in Capital Reef National Park, one of Utah's "Big 5" parks. _ I arrived at Hickman Bridge just before sunset and the warm orange glow reflecting off the surrounding cliffs gave the scene a surreal ambiance. I love those colours! _ @visitutah


Wednesday 17 January 2018

Making lemonade from lemons. _ At my kids' request, we took a stab at a steel wool fire long exposure shot. Sunset over tide pools provided the perfect backdrop. Unfortunately the steep wool just wouldn't light up so we improvised and did a little light painting instead. _ This image reminds me that love is rarely perfect. Yet it can be beautiful anyway. It's in those imperfections that character is developed. It's in the reflection and stillness that it's beauty is revealed. _ This shot is a little different from my usual. What do you think about it? _ Brand new on the blog: an in depth look at the @gotenna Mesh. An amazing communication device that transforms your phone into a futuristic walkie talkie. See more details in my IG stories or follow the link in my bio @travelwithbender πŸ”ΈπŸ”ΈπŸ”Έ


goTenna Mesh Review: Disaster-Proof Ultra-Portable Phone Network That Fits In Your Pocket

This little thumb sized travel gadget could save your life. The goTenna Mesh is one of the most impressive new travel products I’ve come across recently. It will fundamentally change the way you communicate with people that you travel with, in the best way possible.
Read more at our travel blog.

Saturday 6 January 2018

"The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness." - John Muir _ This was a rare event... _ Driving through Zion National Park's scenic drive. _ Since 2000 the only way to see this road has been via a public shuttle. Cars were no longer allowed. However in winter 2017/18 maintenance is being done to the shuttles so the road had been reopened to the public. _ It's an absolutely spectacular drive. _ #zionnationalpark


"People often say that this or that person has not yet found himself. But the self is not something one finds, it is something one creates." - Thomas Szasz _ The Labyrinth at @redmtnresort near St George, Utah. _ This luxury adventure, health & wellness resort has everything you could want to unwind and relax - gorgeous views, amazing healthy onsite restaurant, guided hikes, personal discovery exercises, free bike hire, fitness classes... The list goes on. _ If you're planning a trip to Utah in 2018 I can recommend this resort as your base and place of discovery. But my tip is to allow at least 3-4 days (or more) here to get the most out of all the onsite activities on offer. You will not leave the same. _ #luxuryhotelsworld