Arrived at Bryce Canyon, Utah! and Kodachrome State ParkBryce

Left Capitol Reef National Park and drove scenic highway #12 to Bryce.  Went through Ponderosa pine and yellow Aspen forests.  Stopped to hike a bit then onto a narrow road on the crest of mountain that dropped straight down 600 feet on both sides.  Wow!  It was a beautiful view.  Took about 4 1/2 hours to Bryce National Park which had only one campground open--about 25 sites--it was full by 4 pm so glad we were there early.  It is 45 degrees and slightly windy.  Drove to Sunrise and Sunset points and hiked on Navaho loop trail that was something else.  I swear we hiked 0.7 miles down to bottom of canyon and hiked 1.5 miles back up!  Our uphill climb was with a German second grade teacher who was teaching German children of military families in Texas.  Andrea Peters was great fun.  It started to SNOW while we were down in the canyon so we were happy to crawl back in camper and nap!  Ranger talks great!

Bryce

Bryce

Bryce Navajo Trail

Bryce Navajo Trail

Woke up to light snow—beautiful on all the pines!  We were grateful for our warm little coach and generator for hot breakfast.  We took the southern drive in the park to view all the lookouts—well worth it.  There were some areas of burns right next to beautiful pine forests.  The forest service does controlled burns here to avoid larger devastating fires and to clear the underbrush for new growth.  

Bryce burn area

Bryce with snow

Bryce

Bryce

Pretty cold here for my bones so off to Kodachrome State park!  It is only one hour from Bryce but much warmer and we were able to hike and sit out in the sun.  Bailey allowed on state park trails but not on national park trails and she and Pete are fearless--see the picture of the ridge we were on!  Again, great views everywhere you look.  The tall formations are called “hoodoos” and they make great pictures!  There is no phone or internet service here so we are “roughing it” with no electronics .  Pete tried to set up his DirecTv satellite but even that was no go.  Leaving for Zion National park in am.  

Kodachrome SP

Ridge Trail Kodachrome SP

Kodachrome SP from trail

Bryce Canyon is unlike any other place on earth!  Pictures and words just can't describe how spectacular this is.  We are SO glad Utah is funding the National parks and opened them just a few days before we arrived.  I feel like everyone should get to see these beautiful western parks during their lifetime.  What a treasure they are!



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