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@ Arizona Covered Wagon
Sparkle begins her 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

Navy Flower Power 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
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.
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
MELODEE was distracted by the sounds of loud rustling as Sparkle unfolded a very large tourist map, in the course of which she succeeded in knocking MELODEE’s hat off. “Put that away, do!” said MELODEE, 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!”
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
" 'Utah is nicknamed the Beehive State,'" read out Alexandra from the tour brochure.
Sparkle looked up from examining her Snickers wrapper. "Do they all keep bees here, then?" she 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 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
“A picture of this would look lovely printed on birthday cards, wouldn't it, Sparkle?” Mischief said.
“It certainly would, Mischief!" said Sparkle.
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
“Oh hello, Sparkle!” cried Mushroom. “Didn’t we bump into each other in Turkey last year? This is quite the change of scene, isn't it!”
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
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.
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
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.
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
Sparkle and Artic 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 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
Sparkle and Tallulah 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 Raven
Ravens are larger birds than you think, with an inflight wingspan of 1 to 1.5 meters!

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@ Arizona Train
“A picture of this would look lovely printed on birthday cards, wouldn't it, Sparkle?” Fatik said.
“It certainly would, Fatik!" said Sparkle.
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
Arizona produces silver and gold, but its top metal is copper—the state produces the most in the United States. In the early 1900s, the state’s copper helped build Arizona’s railroads.
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
Addie was distracted by the sounds of loud rustling as Sparkle unfolded a very large tourist map, in the course of which she succeeded in knocking Addie’s hat off. “Put that away, do!” said Addie, 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 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
Nightlight was distracted by the sounds of loud rustling as Sparkle unfolded a very large tourist map, in the course of which she succeeded in knocking Nightlight’s hat off. “Put that away, do!” said Nightlight, 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
Arizona produces silver and gold, but its top metal is copper—the state produces the most in the United States. In the early 1900s, the state’s copper helped build Arizona’s railroads.
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
“What have you got in your rucksack, MELODEE?” asked Sparkle. “It looks very full!”
“I’ve come prepared for anything, Sparkle,” responded MELODEE. “There’s canvas deck shoes, tennis shoes, flip-flops, sandshoes, walking boots, sandals, loafers—you name it, I’ve got it!”
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
“Oh hello, Sparkle!” cried Rowan. “Didn’t we bump into each other in Turkey last year? This is quite the change of scene, isn't it!”
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
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 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
“Oh hello, Sparkle!” cried Gordon. “Didn’t we bump into each other in Turkey last year? This is quite the change of scene, isn't it!”
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 is nicknamed the Beehive State,'" read out KAREN from the tour brochure.
Sparkle looked up from examining her Snickers wrapper. "Do they all keep bees here, then?" she 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."
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
Arizona produces silver and gold, but its top metal is copper—the state produces the most in the United States. In the early 1900s, the state’s copper helped build Arizona’s railroads.
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
“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," Inga said, offering Sparkle a Reese's peanut butter cup from the bag and then unwrapping one for herself.
“That sounds like a good plan, Inga!" said Sparkle. "Very relaxing, and your painting will be a great souvenir of the American Wild West!"
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
Sparkle has now completed her journey through Arizona & Utah! As she prepares to go home, she 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.
Sparkle has enjoyed her journey through Arizona & Utah, but it is time to go home now! Please select another pet as visitor, so it can also enjoy a journey through the American Frontier!