What a beautiful part of the country. I learned a lot and would recommend this program to my friends

While seeing the grand vistas of many of this country's more spectacular National Parks is at the heart of this program, the real value comes from the opporunity to view these sites under the guidance of one of the country's senior geologists whose mature expertise and personal familiarity of the sites is presented with warmth and humor and and an obvious love of his subjet material.

The Utah National Parks and State Parks were even more beautiful than we expected. The knowledge and humor of Janice, our geologist, and Marcia our fearless leader plus Kelly's (AKA Jim) fantastic bus driving made this Road Scholar trip amazing and full of "WOWS!" You really should take this trip.

Janice, our enthusiastic geologist, made the rock formations come to life. Marcia, our group leader, made the explorers and early settlers come to life. Ask for this dynamic duo if you wish to be amazed by the wonderful parks of southern Utah. What an outstanding experience for my first time as a Road Scholar participant! ---Hyman, San Jose, CA

Truly an awesome experience, seeing the diversity of nature in such a small area of the country.

Go on this tour to learn the newest thinking on what those beautiful rocks in SW Utah are telling us about what happened to them over the last 250 million years.

The scenery in Utah and Arizona cannot be beat. It would be hard for a person not quite physically active to be able to take part in this trip as it is now structured, but i enjoy the hiking and ability to see more than just a short walk would enable. There were enough pit stops available, too.

I have traveled in close to 30 countries and have nowhere else experienced the natural beauty that overwhelmed me traveling on the Colorado Plateau with Road Scholar. I have traveled on 5 continents and have never experienced a concentration of so many varieties of awesomely glorious land forms as we encountered traveling Staircase to the Past. I have sometimes had my finger glued to my camera's shutter, though never for so long and with such astounding results as when visiting the geologically miraculous sites found in the parks and monuments of southern Utah. This, indeed, is a trip of a life time.--Hendrik Hart, Toronto, Canada.

If you enjoy exploring national parks, I highly recommend this program. Our guide, geologist and bus driver were all superb! Avis, CT

I will definitely go on another Road Scholar Program. Fantastic value for your money. So many wonderful educators!

The countryside was truly beautiful and the learning was outstanding with great leadership and instruction. The transportation and housing were each good in every aspect.

Staircase to the Past was a life highlight and I would recommend this program to anyone interested in touring our amazing National Parks around the Colorado Plateau. The folks taking this trip were interested in learning more about the unique geology of the region--spectacular views, nature and history...Brenda Barrett October 2012 trip

As a result of the trip to Utah and all the beautiful parks we visited we will be going on added trips in the future. It was wonderful. Crystal, Marc and Ron sure were great hosts. Helen and I really had a great time Chuck and Helen Grosinske Baraboo, WI

This trip was so great we were going to change our names to the Rogue Scholars, commandeer the bus, Dave, Marc, and Crystal and just keep going....

Fantastic trip with wonderful guides. An amazing value.

A lot of sights to see and enjoy and this program and its leaders do a great job of presenting them.

I highly recommend this trip - the sites are amazing and not too difficult to hike.

It was an exceptional experience with wonderful, knowledgeable and fun-loving leaders! I'd highly recommend it! ...Joan S.

I have wanted to take this trip for years, as it is on my bucket list. But I had no idea how great it would be. The guides, Marc, Chrystal, and driver Dave, were professional, and welcoming. The scenary took your breath away. And the best part was the new lifelong friends I made on this trip. We didn't want the trip to end.

An amazing programme. Scenery breathtaking.

WOW factor !!

I live in Colombia and am hoping some of the participants come to visit in Bogota !!

Road Scholars did a magnificent job with this program. Program #2814 was a terrific combination of education, entertainment and some of the most spectacular sights in the world.

This program is absolutely the best. The trip leader is completely organized and experienced. You also travel with a geologist on-board the motorcoach. The scenery is spectacular, and walks/hikes have different options for different ability levels, which is very nice. If you like scenery, don't hesitate to take this trip.

The May 14-24 trip was the first Road Scholar experience for my wife, my son and me. We returned with memories of 40 delightful companions and jaw-dropping scenery, as well as a keen appreciation of the expertise of Pat and Dan Magelby (tour coordinator and geologist) and David Boyce, our driver. Pat's organization was flawless and her enthusiasm infectious. There was no doubt that Dan was teaching a subject that he revered and we all came to see David as a friend and source of knowledge as well. There was a prize photo around every corner, ample fare at mealtime and a comfortable bed every night. All three of us enjoyed the trip immensely.

As Carol wrote, put this tour on your must do list. These amazing parks came alive with Dan's teaching and love of geology. One participant called it "spiritual" which it truly is. Pat and Dan complement each other with their experience and knowledge. Be prepared to hike among interesting land forms which you will quickly recognize as a result of the geologist's instructions. This makes the surroundings come alive as you view them.

My husband and I went on the Utah Parks and Monuments trip in April of 2012 and had a wonderful time. Rod Griffin is a geologist with a lot of experience and clearly enjoys sharing his knowledge with the Road Scholars. His wife Jean is very gracious and keeps things running smoothly. The parks are stunningly beautiful. One piece of advice--dress in layers and be prepared for any kind of weather from hot and dry to rain or snow. We experienced them all.

My wife and I had a wonderful time on this expedition, our seventh with Road Scholar. Our program leaders, Dennis and Linda Williams, were informative and friendly. The scenery and hiking were wonderful, and all of the accommodations and meals were good. You can read a detailed review of our experience at http://www.posix.com/Utah12/

ST. GEORGE, UTAH Program: #2814RJ Staircase to the Past: Utah’s Grand Circle of Parks & Monuments and Picturesque Antelope Canyon This is a great program. It covers very beautiful and interesting country. Our leaders Marc and Chrystal were outstanding. Marc's presentations using the bus technology and no night classes are the way to go.

Utah's Parks and Monuments #2814 should be on people's bucket list! Dramatic scenery constantly! Excellent learning opportunity!

This was a memorable trip full of hikes, new vistas and terrific informative programs!

program 2814 was outstanding. Of course, the places we went were naturally outstanding as well as the weather. HOWEVER< this could have been negated by the leaders, but it wasn't. THE LEADERS+(s) were truly awesome. I have been ona bout 39 trips with EH/RS and the leader here ranks with my top two in that category. Many others had fine leadership, but he was one of the top two. The organization was great, the information was good for he has a passion for geology but he limited his presentation time carefully and had grand visuals to go along with these. This is a trip I would highly recommend with these leaders. The age spread was from 53-93 and the older ones did what they could and enjoyed it and did not slow the younger and more able ones down. A five star program!!!

When I read the itinerary for this program, I could not believe that I missed it in the past. A 10-day program that is crammed (in a good way) with spectacular attractions. As a photographer, I was like a kid in a candy store. It was a geology trip, which was excellent also, but you cover the five National Parks of Utah, as well as few national monuments of Utah and Arizona; WOW!! When I read the program was guided by Dixie State College, whom I had traveled with before, I signed right up with no regret. There were 33 fantastic participants on the trip, as well as the trip director, a geologist and bus driver. I'm considering going back next year if the trip will be offered. Participants can view photos of the May 9th.-19th. trip at: www.quality-image-photography.net