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@ Arizona Covered Wagon
Gerome begins his journey through Arizona & Utah!
Arizona Covered Wagon
Wagons HO! Trails were full of settlers seeking land and new life, their possessions carefully filling the wagon bed. Tarped against the pounding sun, and keeping mosquitos at bay during the night.

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@ Arizona Wild Mustang

Blue And Copper Egg
The first painted eggs came from Mesopotamia, and because eggs were forbidden food during Lent, people painted eggs while Lent was being observed—after Lent, they would eat the eggs on Easter Day.

Beautifully decorated eggs “pysanka” are associated with Ukraine, and the oldest painted egg that was unearthed in northern Ukraine is dated to the end of the 17th century.

Arizona Wild Mustang
To this day, wild horses, the mustang breed, run free on the plains of Arizona, a symbol of freedom in the West.

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@ Arizona Snake River
Gerome and Arty had shaken paws, exchanged greetings of "Howdy!" and took some time to enjoy the super view of the American West in a companionable silence!
Arizona Snake River
Sunlight glinting off the Snake River in the Grand Canyon takes on such a golden hue it looks like molten gold.

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@ Arizona Tunnel
" 'Utah is nicknamed the Beehive State,'" read out Helga from the tour brochure.
Gerome looked up from examining his Snickers wrapper. "Do they all keep bees here, then?" he queried.
"No, it's because the early pioneers considered themselves as hardworking as bees. The name is thought to have been coined by people of the Mormon faith, who came to Utah in 1847 seeking religious freedom."
Arizona Tunnel
Dynamite helped create the tunnel carved into the mountain near the Hoover Dam, cutting down on travel time going up and down the peaks.

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@ Arizona Route 66
“If there's time at the end of the day when we get back to our accommodation, I might do some initial sketches for a painting in acrylics," Pookey said, offering Gerome a Reese's peanut butter cup from the bag and then unwrapping one for herself.
“That sounds like a good plan, Pookey!" said Gerome. "Very relaxing, and your painting will be a great souvenir of the American Wild West!"
Arizona Route 66
The road of songs, travels and an attitude! It's not just a destination, it's a life style. Starting in Chicago, IL and winding to the pier in Santa Monica, CA it's time to grab the sunscreen and put the top down and cruise.

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@ Arizona Prairie Dog
"I think there'll be quite a few tired paws, wings and flippers when we get back to the tour bus," said Gray, after she and Gerome had spent some time exploring another narrow, winding alleyway to its end.
"Is there a gift shop at the end?" enquired Gerome. "The thought of that generally keeps me going."
Arizona Prairie Dog
Loving life, and family, these cute little rodents live in a variety of terrains, burrowing deep in the sandy soil. Community groups find safety in numbers.

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@ Arizona Road Runner
"I think there'll be quite a few tired paws, wings and flippers when we get back to the tour bus," said sweetheart, after she and Gerome had spent some time exploring another narrow, winding alleyway to its end.
"Is there a gift shop at the end?" enquired Gerome. "The thought of that generally keeps me going."
Arizona Road Runner
Meep! Meep! Speeding through the desert, this wily bird can't be caught by that silly coyote!

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@ Arizona Cactus at Sunset
Utah has three major geographic areas: the Rocky Mountains, the Basin and Ridge Region and the Colorado Plateau.
Arizona Cactus at Sunset
Set in shadow, cacti look inviting but don't touch! You'll pull back a prickly paw.

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@ Arizona Wagon Wheel
" 'Utah is nicknamed the Beehive State,'" read out KaitoSushi from the tour brochure.
Gerome looked up from examining his Snickers wrapper. "Do they all keep bees here, then?" he queried.
"No, it's because the early pioneers considered themselves as hardworking as bees. The name is thought to have been coined by people of the Mormon faith, who came to Utah in 1847 seeking religious freedom."
Arizona Wagon Wheel
Every weary traveler hates a flat tire, but poor pioneers didn't have a Wagon Wheel Worker club to call for roadside assistance!

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@ Arizona Wildflowers
" 'Utah is nicknamed the Beehive State,'" read out Spoty from the tour brochure.
Gerome looked up from examining his Snickers wrapper. "Do they all keep bees here, then?" he queried.
"No, it's because the early pioneers considered themselves as hardworking as bees. The name is thought to have been coined by people of the Mormon faith, who came to Utah in 1847 seeking religious freedom."
Arizona Wildflowers
There's a natural beauty that blooms quietly in the desert, forgoing the bright splashes of color, preferring the muted tones that slow a traveler down to see them, rather than quickly pass them by.

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@ Arizona Raven
" 'Some birds that fly through Utah include red-tailed hawks, American kestrels, golden eagles, red-winged blackbirds and green-tailed towhees,' " declared Pynelope, reading from the brochure.
"They sound very colourful!" responded Gerome.
Arizona Raven
Ravens are larger birds than you think, with an inflight wingspan of 1 to 1.5 meters!

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@ Arizona Train
"I think there'll be quite a few tired paws, wings and flippers when we get back to the tour bus," said Blossom, after she and Gerome had spent some time exploring another narrow, winding alleyway to its end.
"Is there a gift shop at the end?" enquired Gerome. "The thought of that generally keeps me going."
Arizona Train
Workers broke the wilderness laying gauged rails, allowing the locomotives to thunder across the plains, into the mountains, and cutting the travel time for those seeking the call of the West.

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@ Arizona Ranch
"Our tour leader was saying this morning that although English is the most widely spoken language of the USA, more than 350 other languages are spoken regularly, the most common being Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese and French," remarked PHOENIX.
"Wow! That's impressive!" replied Gerome.
Arizona Ranch
Depending on the altitude and water sources, you'll be able to visit rolling green ranches, marked by split rail fences you can book a ranch experience and try your hand at pioneering.

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@ Utah Cabin
"Would you like a piece of Almond Joy, Gerome?" queried Fresco de la Reye.
"What is it, Fresco de la Reye?" askedGerome.
"It's a milk chocolate coated coconut sweet, a bit like a Bounty bar in Britain, but with an almond on top."
Utah Cabin
Squatting in the wilderness, the cabin still stands, a reminder of the way of life past.

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@ Utah Juniper in the Canyon
Oh look ... you won a Frontier pet!
Utah Juniper in the Canyon
Juniper standing tall, showcasing the backdrop of Canyonlands National Park.

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@ Utah Twilight at Arches
Priya was distracted by the sounds of loud rustling as Gerome unfolded a very large tourist map, in the course of which he succeeded in knocking Priya’s hat off. “Put that away, do!” said Priya, exasperated. “We’re about to pose beside this amazing scene—the picture will be of your map if you don’t fold it up PDQ!”
Utah Twilight at Arches
Just as the sun dips below the horizon, dragging the last slivers of daylight behind it, a spectacular show of stars rise into the heavens to be adored.

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@ Utah Arch
“Oh hello, Gerome!” cried Lucky. “Didn’t we bump into each other in Turkey last year? This is quite the change of scene, isn't it!”
Utah Arch
Created and carved by layers of sandstone and other mineral deposits, the wind has creatively and wondrously carved natural bridges in the wild.

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@ Utah Homestead
In Arizona, evergreens such as piñon pines and junipers grow in mountains, and deserts are dotted with mesquite trees, flowering cacti and shrubs such as sagebrush and creosote bushes.
Utah Homestead
Brave souls picked up and moved to the desert countryside to try and carve out new lives. Wind worn and sun faded, the structures still stand, persevering.

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@ Utah at Night
Gerome and Olivia Sunshine shook paws, said “How do you do?” and posed for a souvenir photo. “Why am I always on the left?” grumbled Gerome. “Let’s change sides.”
“No,” said Olivia Sunshine. “This is my best side.”
Utah at Night
Bryce canyon by night, when the stars beckon you to count them, name them and you realize just vast the sky is.

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@ Utah Monument Valley
Gerome and Bahama shook paws, said “How do you do?” and posed for a souvenir photo. “Why am I always on the left?” grumbled Gerome. “Let’s change sides.”
“No,” said Bahama. “This is my best side.”
Utah Monument Valley
Nature's art museum? Different formations of sandstone, all beautifully carved by time dazzle the traveler with brilliant shades of reds.

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@ Utah Zion Park Cliff
"Have you seen this in our tour guide, Gerome?" remarked Choose a name. "In 1856, the US Camel Corps was an experiment by the United States Army to use camels as pack animals. Shortly after the Civil War started, this experiment was abandoned."
"That's remarkable, Choose a name!" responded Gerome.
Utah Zion Park Cliff
Nature's painting in sandstone and trees, the colors deep and rich, showing tourists shades of red never seen before in nature.

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@ Utah Monument Valley Wagon
Utah has three major geographic areas: the Rocky Mountains, the Basin and Ridge Region and the Colorado Plateau.
Utah Monument Valley Wagon
Imagine your best little house outfit, bonnet tied tight against the relentless sun and driving wind, bumping along the road no one taken before, watching the gorgeous sandstone formations.

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@ Utah Riverbed
The Rocky Mountain elk is Utah's state animal, common in its mountains. Desert bighorn sheep, mountain lions, white-tailed jackrabbits, piute ground squirrels and Hopi chipmunks are also among Utah’s mammals.
Utah Riverbed
Rivers run leaving cool waters for animals and travelers to rest weary toes. Verdant greens line the riverbed, adding another vista in the countryside.

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@ Utah Bryce Canyon Rainbows
The Rocky Mountain elk is Utah's state animal, common in its mountains. Desert bighorn sheep, mountain lions, white-tailed jackrabbits, piute ground squirrels and Hopi chipmunks are also among Utah’s mammals.
Utah Bryce Canyon Rainbows
Storms blow up on the horizons quickly, unleashing rain and lightening, but after the rain, dazzle the traveler with rainbows.

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@ Utah Juniper
Gerome has now completed his journey through Arizona & Utah! As he prepares to go home, he receives a wonderful gift!
Old Train Engine and Rattlesnake
Howdy! Pleased to meet ya! I have been running this engine, on this here line for years. Yup! Love this old iron horse, it has never let me down, sturdy as those mountains. If you wait just a bit I will get it all fired up and ready to take a pass through the canyon. See that basket on the front, that’s a cowcatcher. Nah, it never caught a cow, they don’t like the noise and stay far away, but it has caught a lot of those wandering tumbleweeds, get enough of those on the line and it can mess up the wheels. Are you ready to hop up here with me and go take a closer look at those mountains?

Utah Juniper
Twisted and dry, the Juniper tree is the symbol of the desert tree.
Gerome has enjoyed his journey through Arizona & Utah, but it is time to go home now! "The American Frontier" is over now, but there will be more events in PnF soon!