Tue - Day 13

Parked at Bryce Canyon Pines

The morning started off not so well. Last night I asked the campground proprietor for directions to the parking lot where we could get on the shuttle bus that went through Bryce Canyon. He showed me on a map and, based on my previous investigations, I figured it out and was ready. This morning as we turned out of the campground Kathy said, “I think you turned the wrong way.” Of course I knew she was wrong. 15 miles later, which included at least a 5 minute delay waiting on construction, I decided she was right. Then it was 15 miles back, and another at least 5 minute delay at the construction area.

Since I had went the wrong way, and since we were going to pass by Red Canyon on the way back to the campground (it is only a few miles from the campground). We decided to see Red Canyon first and then go to Bryce Canyon.

I’m only including a few of the photos I took. They don’t come close to giving an idea of the true magnificence of this area.

The Visitors Center. Notice the 2 Hoodoos in the background.

 

Taking a walk.

 The top of this outcrop looked almost like it was several levels of pettrified wood that had been a fort.

We hiked up this path for maybe a half mile. The path got narrower and the wind was blowing so hard that we decided we had gone far enough.

Looking back from the path. The Visitors Center and the highway are down there somewhere.

We had a nice chat with Smokey the Bear.

Then it was back on the road. We drove through these arches, with the travel trailer, on the way to the campground.

Then it was on to Bryce Canyon. We parked and road a shuttle around part of the park. The first stop was Bryce Point.

 Then it was on to Inspiration Point

The shuttle dropped you off at the lowest of 3 observation levels. The highest level was Inspiration Point. It was the very top of this photo. Kathy waited while I walked up the path. I made a LOT of stops to catch my breath. I have no doubt that my heart is in great shape.

There are actually people walking up this path. They are just so far away that you can't see them. Part of it is the camera. The path was probably about three tenths of a mile long and the elevation change was probably around 200', at the most.

 We then walked from that shuttle stop to the next stop, about 8 tenths of a mile. We were told it was all downhill, NOT! Look between the trees. The highest point is Inspiration point.

 Railing, we don't need no stinking railing. This is the path, right along the canyon rim.

These sections were like standing walls. Everything had eroded between them.

We should both sleep well tonight, if we don't cramp up to bad 😊.

I would love to walk down to the canyon floor but the "easiest" path is 1.8 miles down and the 1.8 miles back up, with almost 400' of elevation change. No way am I going to attempt it. Just the elevation change would be like going down the stairs of a 40 story building and then back up them.

It has been very windy here the past 2 days. When we got back to the trailer the temperature was supposed to be 67 degrees. We sat outside and drank cups of coffee. I had to put on a windbreaker over my heavy denim shirt and tee shirt.

The scenery is awesome.

God is good may He bless you and yours.

PS. We can't believe the number of tourists, and how many are from other nations. There were 8 buses at one of the shuttle stops. We guess more than 75% of the tourists are from other countries. I'm sitting in the WiFi area of the campground store. There are 2 couples from Germany. Another couple who might be Americans and me.