Utah's south and the important three

Drive from Churzit in a short time through three states, Wyoming, Idaho, and Utah, to Jackson. Most cities/towns have been founded by European Mormons, so I drive through Paris, Montpellier, Geneva, and even Bern. Along Bear Lake, it's a bit like our lakes, wonderfully beautiful and very deep, but also a bit different. After Logan Valley, I arrive in Salt Lake City, where I am a bit overwhelmed by the 6-lane highways and the noise. So I just cut my hair (short is definitely easier for traveling) and make a swim/shower stop at the swimming pool.

The swimming pool, the information center, and the library are my important three and they fulfill three essential needs: hygiene, information/planning, and wifi. This means I can wash my face everywhere, brush my teeth, fill up water, and use the toilet. The staff can answer questions and give ideas. And last but not least, wifi makes everything easier.

In the south of Utah, it is finally warmer and it feels like there is always a blue sky – perfect for me! In Torrey, I visit another information center, and because there aren't many other people around, I am already like the son that I never had. The next day, the kind 60-year-old lady surprises me with homemade apple sauce, cookies, and something like bread. With enough supplies, I embark on an incredibly beautiful landscape with canyons and various rock formations, still showing their autumn colors. I spend the night in a few extremely friendly places and enjoy brushing my teeth while admiring the breathtaking starry sky. Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Zion. In the first two, I am almost alone (as almost everywhere in the states so far), but in Zion it is a bit busier. It is, after all, the 3rd most visited national park in the USA - with a total of 59! I also really like it, the weather is getting warmer again (around 20 °C) and there is a convenient river where I can wash my clothes every day - luxury!

Finally, I'm back in sports mode a bit more, doing a lot of hikes. I hike 26km in the canyon without any pain in my shin. In St. George, I have the opportunity for rock climbing and spend a few days with locals. I decided to attend a service at the church on Sunday since there are so many members of 'The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' in Utah (Utah has a population of over 3 million and over 2 million are members). Okay, I admit, maybe it's also a bit because of the daughter of the family who invited me to breakfast and family dinner. Thanks to my mom (inherited from my grandfather), I have never had any problems talking to people, I think that's why I have always experienced great hospitality and have met really cool people, the Americans.

October to mid-November is absolutely the right time to travel to this area, occasionally a bit chilly at night when camping, but otherwise perfect. The other tourists are primarily local, which makes it even better.

I will be in California in a week, and I'm happy that the terrible wildfires don't affect the place I'm going to.