We have been in the land of sandstone for about three weeks. I am learning quite a bit about geology. It is a complex and difficult subject, so I go for the Cliff's Notes versions of everything. This area is known as the Colorado Plateau. It is a huge part of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Arizona which was uplifted as a big chunk. Over millions of years erosion has carved the thing into awesome cliffs and valleys. There are also domes, hoodoos, reefs, mesas, fins, arches and balanced rocks. The Grand Canyon has the oldest rocks while Bryce has the newest rocks. If you want to learn more, have a look at the Wikipedia article "Colorado Plateau."

So, anyway, this is one of the toadstools that are found in Southern Utah. The balanced rock actually came from the top of the caprock in the background. Millions of years ago it got undercut by erosion and fell down a slope to the top of the red sandstone it is now poised upon. Over many years, the sandstone eroded away from around it and formed this pinnacle. I thought that is pretty cool. (easily amused, remember) It would seem that this is a rare event, but you see these balanced rock formations all over the place.

And so the adventure continues.