Bryce Canyon, Utah!

Ok...now I'm going to "catch up"!  Yesterday we decided to take a drive over to Bryce Canyon National Park, which is about two hours away.  It was going to be a sunny, but chilly, day so we thought this would be a good time to take a drive instead of a hike!!!  lol...

As we left Zion, we drove out the East Entrance.  We were not allowed to come in this way, although it would have been much shorter of a distance for us.  The reason was that our total length with camper and truck was over the limit of 50'.  They are VERY strict on these limits from what we were told.  So we had to take the long way around...up to Utah from Page, AZ, then back into AZ and then back up into Utah from Highway 9 and enter from Springdale.  That seemed kind of strange for us, but after driving the route from inside the park to the East Entrance, we totally understood.  The road is curvy, curvy, curvy..almost straight up and goes through a tunnel that is only about 14' high and just wide enough for two cars to pass each other.  Plus the tunnel is about a mile long.  We met some people in Page that we saw again when we got here and they came in that way...their total limit was about 45'!  Max was sure glad he didn't have to pull the camper on this road!!  You can see what I mean by the following pictures...

On our way, we noticed what seemed like a "tunnel to nowhere"!  We just could not figure out what it was. . .

After we were in the tunnel, THEN we figured it out!  This was one of the WINDOWS in the tunnel.  Of course, that seemed strange to us since there are signs that say "do not stop in the tunnel", so how would you see out these windows?  Oh well, it made for interesting conversation.  Before I get to the actual trip in Bryce Canyon, here are a few pictures of the east end of Zion Park.

The road going up to Bryce Canyon also goes through Red Canyon or Red Rock Canyon...can't remember exactly which name it was called, but it was really pretty.  We also came across something we have been avoiding as much as possible...SNOW!  There was only a little of it on the ground and it made for nice pictures.

I had been told by several people that Bryce Canyon National Park was a beautiful place, but that was an understatement!  This place was amazing!!  We both decided that we thought it was prettier than the Grand Canyon.  Now, don't get me wrong...the Grand Canyon is wonderful also, but Bryce is more accessible.  Well, I guess that is unless you want to walk down INTO the Grand Canyon.  Since I don't think words would actually explain what we saw, I'll just let you see for yourself.  Believe me, the pictures don't even begin to do this place justice!!!

The next was taken at the Natural Bridge stop...

Then we stopped at The Swamp Canyon Overlook. . .

But our favorite two stops were the Bryce Point and Sunset Point overlooks. . .

Hmmmmm....well, maybe our FAVORITE stop was the General Store on our way out...

As we came back into Zion, we saw many cars stopped along the road and this was why. .

Mountain Goats on the side of the mountain!

We decided this was one of our best days since we have been back on the road starting in August!!  It's been great here, but now we are ready to head out to new territory.  Tomorrow we head toward "Las Vegas, Baby!"  We will be staying at the Military FamCamp at Nellis AFB.  We will keep our money safely hidden!! 

All In A Day At Zion!!

Well, I know I am WAY behind on posting, but we have been enjoying the area so much I haven't had a chance to catch up.  It's been eye-opening, to say the least.  Like my friend, Kim, there really are no words or pictures to even begin to explain this area.  After driving from Page, AZ on Monday, we settled in at Watchman Campground inside Zion National Park.  Here are a couple of pictures of the view from our campsite...amazing...but only the beginning:

View from front of camper

View from back of camper

After a restful night, we took off on Tuesday morning for a drive around the park.  We had hoped to be able to ride the Shuttle Bus that takes you to all the stops on the Scenic Highway, but they stopped running the day before we got there...NATURALLY!  lol...

The weather took a turn during the night, so it was windy and COLD in the morning when we drove to the top of the Scenic Drive to Temple of Sinawava and the Riverside Walk...

Oh yes!!!  It was this cold!!

Since the weather was YUCKY, we decided to drive back to the campground and wait until later in the day to venture out...WISE DECISION!  So, after lunch, we once again eagerly drove off for some more sights!

We checked out the map and planned out our stops to try out some of the trails.  We haven't been hiking in quite a while, so decided on the Lower Emerald Pool Trail. . . a 1.3 mile round trip walk.

 One of the views from the trail

Small waterfall behind me on the Emerald Pool trail 

 STRANGE creature we saw on the trail

 View from the bridge after returning from the Lower Emerald Pool

There were bunches of artists all over the park

From here, we drove back up to the Riverside Walk Trail...a 2.2 mile round trip walk...and enjoyed the nice leisure pace of it.  By now, the wind had died down and the sun had warmed us up!!  These are just a few of the pictures from this trail. . .

 Thought Mr. Squirrel was going to follow us the entire way!

 End of trail...from here you can walk the Narrows, which takes you THROUGH the river!

As you can see, we had shed the coats!!

This place is remarkable and pictures just can't do it justice, but here are a few more.  God does beautiful work!!!!!

Next was a day trip to Bryce Canyon...watch for it!!