Bryce Canyon

(Wednesday, June 9th)
 It is the day we leave AZ.  It has been oppressively hot during our stay here, much hotter than average.  We are traveling up into Utah, straight north from Flagstaff.  The trip takes us around the side of the Grand Canyon that we did not see.  Traveling through this beautiful area is fun because the scenery is so fascinating and wonderful!  It is almost like a new canvas for every break in the trip.  New canvas but the same beautiful pallet!

We were confused about the number of boats passing us during the morning.  (For those of you who have driven with Bingo, you read that correctly...we were passed by other vehicles towing boats.  She was very good about her speed this trip!)  We finally understood the reason when we drove through Page, AZ.  The area has a recreational lake and it is well used by people in the area.  We found this out just before we got to drive over the local dam.  So, while we decided not to pass near the Hoover Dam (my request was skipped due to concerns about the time needed for a security check), I did get to see a dam on this trip after all (albeit, a very small one)!

Entering Utah, I recalled a conversation with someone before the trip started.  He had lived in Utah previously and was very excited that we would be driving through Utah.  He exclaimed that it was the most beautiful place, exclaiming that we would love it!  I had not heard too much about Utah previously, but was curious about that claim.  We also heard from at least 2 other people that mentioned that, if possible, not to miss Bryce Canyon.  Bingo and I thought that this was an unusual statement coming from 3 different sources at three different times, all completely unsolicited.  Since I consider twice a coincidence, but three a trend, we planned an overnight stop at Bryce Canyon National Park. 

The scenery in Utah was much different than in Arizona.  It was indeed, beautiful, not more beautiful, just a different kind of beauty...and less dusty!  So, I spent the early afternoon finding a place to stop overnight.  The first place I found did not have any openings, but the second place did, it was less than 10 miles from the park!  As we made our way to the site, we passed Bryce Canyon and shortly afterward, realized that we were driving INTO the canyon itself (not the park, the canyon...).  For those who have NOT towed a travel trailer, inclines and decline are not our friend, especially anything over 3% grade.  The signs on the road casually mentioned a 6-8% grade for the next 2 miles...

Suffice it to say that Bingo was NOT thrilled with this situation.  Even as we were going through a small tunnel and she worried about the trailer fitting through (it did), the 2 miles down with turns and curves did not help her knuckles at all.  After we made it to the camp and unpacked, Bingo was noticeably upset.  Worried about leaving the next day, making the trip back UP that horrible grade in the poor SnowBus had her on edge!

We took a few minutes to allow her to get composed and then headed back to Bryce Canyon Park.  As the saying goes, you've got to get back on the horse, and this indeed was a good thing.  The drive back was not as bad on the second inspection.  Our conversation on entering the park was more reflective than hysterical about our chances of getting our of the canyon in the morning, whew!  Crisis averted for now.  Time to enjoy the canyon!

Bryce canyon is indeed a fabulous place!  I wish we had an extra day to stay and enjoy the area, but we had not planned on this.  Oh well, we enjoyed it while we were there.  We bought a CD tour of the park and drove to may of the stops.  We even got to hike about 1/3 way down to the base of the canyon at one point.  My brain was better able to comprehend the size of the canyon as compared to comprehending the size of the Grand Canyon.  We were able to see an excavation crew at work in a section of the canyon as well!  The one thing we did not get to enjoy was a night in the canyon, they are very proud of the darkness at the canyon.  This area boasts some of the littlest light pollution and so the night sky is abundant with stars!  That would be a sight!

We spend the better part of the early evening in the park, but left before sunset.  Another drive tomorrow and the driver wanted some sleep.  The kids went swimming until sunset (about an hour) then some basketball (until the bickering started), then ping pong (until dad was tired).  A Lot of driving, but a fun day nonetheless.  Tomorrow, we continue the trip towards Yellowstone!