In December 1980 we took a driving trip throughout the western United States, visiting Las Vegas, Zion, Bryce, Lake Powell, and the Grand Canyon. Linda drove her faithful RX-3 station wagon, while I took photographs. We enjoyed the brisk weather, and the solitude afforded by the nearly empty National Parks.
![Utah 1980](https://blog.writingacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/1980/12/Utah-1980.jpg)
Linda’s venerable RX-3 Station Wagon, somewhere in Utah. This picture was taken shortly after we learned what “black ice” was, and we were probably stopped to change our underwear.
![Not US89 1980](https://blog.writingacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/1980/12/Not-US89-1980.jpg)
Yup. This is definitely NOT US-89.
![Bryce 1980](https://blog.writingacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/1980/12/Bryce-1980.jpg)
Bryce Canyon. We stayed at a colorful place called “Ruby’s Inn”. I’ll never forget the mattress. We finally put it on the floor.
![Lake Powell 1980](https://blog.writingacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/1980/12/Lake-Powell-1980.jpg)
Lake Powell. It was like glass.
![Col River Linda 1980](https://blog.writingacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/1980/12/Col-River-Linda-1980.jpg)
Sunbathing along the Colorado River. I suggested a bikini, but she was worried about snow.
![Col River Steve 1980](https://blog.writingacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/1980/12/Col-River-Steve-1980.jpg)
This canyon gets much deeper, downstream.
![GC Linda 1980](https://blog.writingacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/1980/12/GC-Linda-1980.jpg)
Grand Canyon. Linda held this tree up for a while…
![GC Steve 1980](https://blog.writingacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/1980/12/GC-Steve-1980.jpg)
…then I took over.
![gc 80](https://blog.writingacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/1980/12/gc-80.jpg)
Dangerous to overlook this overlook.
![GC Car 1980](https://blog.writingacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/1980/12/GC-Car-1980.jpg)
We stayed at the El Tovar, and it snowed the night before we left. This was cute until we couldn’t get the car started.