Day 45 - April 30, 2008

Today we slept in as we had to recuperate from our big previous day. Since we were low on groceries, we made the 25 mile trip to Kanab to the nearest decent grocery store. I never will not appreciate having a grocery store within a few miles again. In this remote part of Utah, a full service grocery store is a rare thing. We also visited Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park today. It was really weird seeing orange sand dunes. Lots of western movies have been filmed in this location. The funny stick figure you see on the orange dune is me. You wouldn't believe how much orange sand I had in my shoes after that picture!!!

Kanab, Utah - Parry Lodge - place where movie stars of long ago western movies used to stay

Day 44 - April 29, 2008

We got an early start on the day as we had tickets for the Ranger Guided Shuttle ride at 9:00 am. We are about an hour away from the Visitor's Center so we left our campground at 7:10. That has been the first day we had to use an alarm clock. I'm sorry if all you working folks are offended by us having to use an alarm clock but I'm sure your day will come when you can stay up late and sleep in.

After our Ranger guided shuttle ride by hiked the Weeping Rock Trail. Amazingly we ran into our French Canadian friends we met on a trail at Bryce Canyon National Park. After lunch at the Lodge we hiked a bit and then caught the Ranger Museum talk. Then it was more hiking till we went on a Ranger guided hike. That was the killer. It was 2.7 miles with quite a rise in elevation. Frank did it with no problem but I had difficulties.

We had told our French Canadian friends we would visit them at their camp site and exchange email addresses. What we thought would be a quick visit ended up being an 1 1/2 visit. Of course, it helped when they offered us a beer after that grueling hike. We headed back to our camp site and didn't get back till 9:30. I was praying along the way a deer would not jump out in front of us but all we saw were 3 jack rabbits.

I hope you enjoy the attached pictures. Zion is truly a magical place and again my wish is that each of you can see the majesty of our wonderful country in Zion National Park.

Day 43 - April 28, 2008

Today was a mini travel day as we just went from Bryce, Utah to Glendale, Utah (about 50 miles). We got set up and headed to Zion National Park to get some information to plan our successive days. OH my gracious, what an emotional experience. When we came out of the Mt. Carmel/Zion tunnel the view was so spectacular that I broke down in tears. This place is truly one of the most majestic places on this earth. It is eye candy for the soul. It was truly emotional and when I was speaking with the Ranger about hiking plans I actually teared up again. What a wuss I am. I hope each of you get to experience the splendor and majesty of Zion National Park. It is amazing.

Today was a FYI day. We watched the film in the museum, wrote a bit on the shuttle (you cannot drive your private vehicle on the scenic drive) and took a small hike to a grotto. I left my camera in the car as I didn't think we would do any hiking - big mistake. Just hold on for tomorrow. We plan to be in the park and do 3 Ranger programs. Who knows -maybe one of the following days we'll take a trail ride.

Day 42 - April 27, 2008

Today we took a drive down All America Highway 12 to Kodachrome Basin State Park. It was a spectacle of towering sandstone chimneys. The vibrant color and contrast prompted the National Geographic Society in 1949, with consent from Kodak Film Corp., to name the park Kodachrome. We did the Panoramic Hike and saw some neat stuff. On the way back we did a short hike to the Mossy Cave and Waterfall. By then we had really worked up an appetite so we went to the Bryce Canyon Lodge and had a great trout dinner. Last but not least, we stopped at the Fairyland Overlook as we bid good bye to Bryce Canyon National Park. Tomorrow it will be on to Zion National Park.

Kodachrome Basin State Park

Kodachrome Basin State Park

Kodachrome Basin State Park

Mossy Cave and Waterfall Trail

Mossy Cave and Waterfall Trail

Mossy Cave and Waterfall Trail

Mossy Cave and Waterfall Trail

Bryce National Park -Fairyland Canyon Overlook

Day 41 - April 26, 2008

Today we drove 40 miles to the nearest grocery store in Panguitch (name means Big Fish). The General Store here at Ruby's Inn charges Disney World prices for their stuff and we needed to replenish our supplies.

We hiked at Red Canyon. It was a fascinating hike with spectacular colors and fanstatic formations. The trail was labeled with different information about the flora and also the formations so it was very informative. Hope you enjoy the pictures of our hiking experience in the Red Canyon.

Susan with a "Hoodoo"

"The Totems"

Red Canyon

"Serpent"

"Camel"

Day 40 - April 25, 2008

Move over Arches National Park - you have been replaced in the #1 position by Bryce Canyon National Park. What a phenomenal place. Words just cannot describe it's beauty. This is a magical land, a place of inspiration and spectacular beauty where thousands of intricately shaped hoodoos stir the imagination as they stand in silent watch. This place is truly unique. We had the opportunity to hike the Navajo Loop Trail and the Queen's Garden Trail. What an experience. I know the pictures do not do it justice but I hope you will just sit back and enjoy the majestic beauty of this tremendous place. After our hike we took the scenic drive to several of the overlook view points.

Bryce Canyon Lodge - Built by the Union Pacific Railroad in 1924

"Wall Street"

"Thor's Hammer" - we personally think it looks like ET

Hoodoos - pinnacles of rock, often oddly shaped, left standing after millions of years of water and wind erosion have carved away softer or more protected rock. According to the Paiute legend, these are really "Legend People" who lived here in the old days; for their evil ways, the powerful Coyote turned them to stone, and even today they remain frozen in time.

View from Rainbow Point. The views were quite amazing and encompassed southern Utah.

Agua Canyon - contrasts of light and color that are the best in the park

"Natural Bridge', which isn't really a bridge at all but actually an arch carved by rain and wind, spanning 85 feet.

View from Inspiration Point. Don't you think the name is quite fitting? This is called the "Silent City", a sleeping metropolis of stone.

View of the "The Grottos" from Bryce point

View from Bryce Point

Here we are at Bryce Canyon viewpoint. Incredible sights and incredible day. We are so thankful.

Day 39 - April 24, 2008

Today was a travel day from Torrey, Utah to Bryce, Utah. Some of the scenery was incredible - especially Red Canyon. We will definitely hike Red Canyon or we may be adventuresome and so a trail ride. All depends on the weather - the highs for the next few days are 55 - 59 and when you throw in the wind it sure feels like the 40's. Tonight it is supposed to freeze - 17 degrees. Sure am glad we have our nice warm coach.

This campground is like a little western themed city. It not only has a campground but it has several huge lodges, indoor and outdoor pool, grocery store, general store, gift shop, photo processing, beauty salon, hot tub, liquor store (which in Utah those are few and far between as they are regulated by the state), 2 gas stations, very popular restaurant and a diner. I'm sure I'm forgetting some things but I think you get the idea that it is a really cool place. Tonight we may enjoy the hot tub and the indoor heated pool. All of this for only $31 a night. Sure balances out the price of gas.

Tomorrow we plan to explore beautiful Bryce Canyon. Wow this sure is living a dream and we are so very, very thankful.

Day 38 - April 23, 2008

We started the day with a fantastic lunch at the Capital Reef Cafe. They are famous for the 10 vegetable salad. We sampled it and other entrees. This is a completely organic restaurant and they grow their own vegetables.

Then it was on to driving part of the Utah Scenic Byway 12. This road has been designated a National Scenic Byway and an All-American Road by the Federal Highway Administration. All-American Road have one-of-a-kind feature so exceptional that they qualify as a destination "unto themselves." Only a few byways achieve the status of an All-American Road, making Scenic Byway 12 one of the most unique roads in the United States. I only wish the pictures did justice to the incredible beauty and power of this drive. There was one stretch of this road which is called "Hogsback". It is extremely narrow and on the edge of cliffs. I was continually hyperventilating on this road but its beauty was awesome. I only hope each of you can drive this same route. It is truly memorable.

Reproduction at Anasazi State Park Museum. During the 15th and 16th centuries, the Navajo arrived in what is now the southwestern United States. Anasazi is a Navajo word interpreted to mean ancient enemies or enemy ancestors. Most of the National Parks refer to these people as "Ancestoral Pueblos" since the description isn't quite as harsh.

View from Scenic Byway 12

View from Scenic Byway 12

View from Scenic Byway 12