We have left Zion and heading east towards our goal for the day Bryce Canyon.

We are planning to stay at Ruby's Inn which is at the entrance to Bryce Canyon National Park.

We rode through some amazing valleys and the most hilarious for Tom and I was when we entered the tunnel in the rock. This tunnel was about 3 miles long and motorhomes must be single file becaause of the height in the tunnel.

Well Tom and I positioned ourselves in front of Jeff since our bikes have loud pipes. This way we could rev the bikes and make some noise in which Jeff at one point yelled out to stop since his ears were hurting. It was so loud and deep that even the motorhome in front of us had to put his windows up.

After the tunnel we stopped at Checkerboard then onto Bryce, checked into Ruby's Inn dumped our bags in the rooms and rode up to Bryce.

On the way back we stopped at Sunset point and Jeff and I walked to the canyon bottom via the trail which is an awesome hike (LEAVE YOUR LEATHERS AND BOOTS AT YOUR BIKE - DON"T MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE WE MADE) to the bottom. Started out great with switch back trails heading down and a fairly easy hike until the way up.... it is a climb and a half and with leathers it was very exhausting.

I’m not going to be like my husband on this stop. He thinks Bryce Canyon National Park is so hard to describe.  If you can understand the word beautiful you get the picture.

We drove from the northern entrance all the way to the southern most point, known as Rainbow Point, where we began our tour of the park.  We got out and took lots of pictures and then moved north to one of about twelve stops along the way back up to take even more. Each and every one had wonderful scenes and sites and we enjoyed every one of them.

One of the highlights of our visit was a Raven that wanted to be the center of attention.  He perched on a pedestal where all of the tourists could see him clearly and sat very patiently as people took him picture.  Then he decided to show off his flying and soaring abilities with two or three of his fellow ravens.  It was about a ten minute show that had many tourists watching and clapping as they dive bombed and played games with each other.

One thing for sure, if you ever get a chance to be in the western United States, take the time to visit this park.  More color and more outstanding formations than the Grand Canyon.

Bryce was spectacular.  Also found Deer and Antelope here.  Will add an Antelope picture in the fairly near future.

Ruby's Inn is a large (360 plus rooms!) complex, consisting, in addition to the hotel, of a well stocked general store (food and good selection of camping and fishing gear), an art gallery/souvenir shop, laundry facilities, pool and spa, gas station next door, liquor store (you don't get many of those in Utah!), currency exchange, free wifi internet access (and this one actually works!) and two restaurants (fast food and steak, see other tip for review). And don't forget the row of utterly cheesy 'wild west' fronted shops selling souvenirs, rocks and other bric a brac on the other side of the road! Activities (horseback riding, ATV tours, mountain bikes and even helicopter rides) can be arranged at the desk in the lobby. Rooms are of the motel variety but very large and comfortable and squeeky clean, furnished in a vaguely western motif. Large bathrooms with separaty vanity area. Coffee maker and ironing things (not that I would actually USE those, but well...) supplied in room. Ruby's was established in 1918 as a small boarding house for travellers who had heard of the marvels of Bryce Canyon and grew with the parks popularity to the behemoth (for the surroundings anyway) it is today. Despite its size, service (lots of European exchange students!) was quite pleasant. Considering the location right at the park entrance, I thought the price ($85,- without taxes) quite reasonable. The Bryce Canyon shuttle also stops at the hotel entrance, which is quite convenient for those without a car. The hotel is quite popular with large tour companies and can fill up in the weekends.

After fretting upon awakening, I finally decided to let the kids sleep to a normal time and then take things as they come.  I’m convinced that lack of sleep is why many people are grouchy and we’re no exception.  So we got going around 8:30 am from Zion’s South Campground and guess what?  None of the bad things I’d worried about ever happened! 

1. Backing out of that tight camping space:  Our kind neighbor behind us (the one who saw us pull in and move some tree branches in the process!) moved his jeep out of his site, then directed me straight back into it (out of kindness and probably self-protection), so we could pull forward out of the campsite.  When I mentioned that I didn’t want to hit the post he said they were flexible.  “Really?” I asked.  “Yes,” he said, “You hit one yesterday when you pulled in.”  OOPS!  So he held it out of the way and off we went with a grateful wave.
2. Construction:  Nowhere to be seen!
3. Traffic up the 3.5 mile road with switchbacks- basically nonexistent!
4. The tunnel:  I’d bought my $15 pass for the East tunnel at the Visitor’s Center the day before, located it, and by the time we’d gotten there and waved to the Carlisles (that nice family we keep seeing), we were told to head on through and just drive down the center.  We’d timed it perfectly!  There was a long line of cars at the other side waiting to come through.  Maybe they stop traffic every 5 or 10 minutes each side?
5. A campground at Bryce:  Since everyone we’d spoken to at Zion was headed to Bryce today, I thought we’d have trouble finding a site.  But we found a gorgeous one (Site 49) in Bryce Canyon’s North Campground.  Terrific, beautiful campground!  At 8000 feet, it was nice a cool dry camping.

So of course, I thought that since everything had gone right, I was in for a doozie.  But it never happened and we had a terrific day at Bryce! 

The kids were yelling at me at the gas station, all in a twitter - They'd spied Matthew, our Adventure Cyclist Friend!  He was headed into Zion that day.  He'd found it easier to climb 3,000 feet plateau in 10 miles than to ride into that 40 mph headwind after Marble Canyon Lodge.  He is really fast!  We got his blog address and gave him ours.  Hope we run into him again soon.  His fabulous blog is here:  http://tinyurl.com/66zbnc

We found a campsite in the Bryce Campground and then rode our bikes to the nearby gorgeous Visitor’s Center.  There we saw a movie on Bryce Canyon.  Afterward, we conferred with the Rangers who helped us plan the shuttle bus ride to Bryce Point to see the amazing Amphitheatre. 

Zion is amazing for the enormity and close proximity of the sheer red cliffs surrounding you.  Bryce is amazing for the rock formations in the park.  They have “hoodoos” that are rock pillars that look like columns, statues, or pillars and their colors and numbers are just amazing. 

Both the lodges at Zion and Bryce are also fascinating, historical places to see with big wooden beams and stone fireplaces.  Just staying there would seem very significant because of the history, I’d think.  The Bright Angel Lodge at the Grand Canyon was the same way, and I’d love to have time to read the book I saw on the historic lodges of the National Parks.

We met many people along the way- I was trying to think of the difference between the visitors at the Grand Canyon versus Zion and Bryce Parks.  I think the ones at the latter are just more relaxed and probably a bit more sophisticated in the outdoors.  They enjoyed talking and giving/getting traveling advice, which made it fun on the shuttles, in the campground, waiting for the movie, etc.  We get our best info from fellow travelers.  I’m really proud of how the kids reach out and talk with others too.

After an early dinner, we walked back to the Visitor’s Center to catch the shuttle (they’re optional at Bryce, not required as at Zion) and found they were just ending for the night.  So we walked back through the campground to the General Store, got some more food for the kids, and walked on to the Sunrise Point rim trail.  It was amazing and I’m glad we got to see it.  Then we trudged back through the camp amphitheatre, doing renditions of our own 60-second comedy skits of each other, and headed back to the campground, loaded the bikes back on, and called it a great day!

    Hey Everyone!

I would like to dedicate this blog to the 1,680 people who have read this blog. My brother and I are having a litttle competion for who can get the most views and thanks to ya'll I have went from 300 less to 30 less. If you read this blog, maybe I will bet him! Anyway, thanks for reading my blog!!

I would have to say of all the places I have been so far, I think this is the most beautiful. On the way from Zion to Bryce, we went through a mile long tunnel. Along the way, we stopped to get gas we saw our biker friend named Matthew. This is the 3^rd time we have seen him this trip! The first time was at the Grand Canyon, the second was on the way to Zion, and then this time. I think it that is so funny! We continued on and got settled in our campsite in Bryce. We biked to the visitor’s center and watched a movie on Bryce Canyon (I know that is a big shocker that they didn’t show Kung fu Panda in a National Park but sadly, it is true). We then hopped on the shuttle and went to Bryce Point. It was amazing!! There were hoodoos everywhere! You NEED to look at my mom’s pictures because I can not describe how beautiful it was. We rode the bus for a little while longer and got a feel of the place. That night, we had dinner and walked back to the visitor’s center, but after sitting there for 15 minutes we had missed the last bus of the day and walked to the General Store. There we had pizza and continued walking to Sunset voice. It was amazing and we could see almost 360 degrees around. It was well worth the hike. We then went back to our campsite and now I am typing this. I should probably go to bed. Good night!

On the way from Zion to Bryce we went through the tunnel.  When we were driving to Zion, my Mom let some cars pass us.  Then when we were waiting for the tunnel, we saw someone poke their head out of the car in front of us and start waving.  It was our friends from Zion!

The tunnel was awesome because it was so dark.  When we stopped to get gas, we saw our biker friend named Matthew! 

We headed on to Bryce and rode our bikes to the Visitor’s Center.  We got to watch a movie all about Bryce Canyon.  It was so cool because you felt like you were there. 

Then we took a shuttle bus to the amphitheatre and it was so pretty because the rocks were red columns like I’ve never seen before.  Honestly, I think it’s more beautiful than the Grand Canyon.

After that we went to the Bryce Lodge and walked around.  Then we rode the shuttle back to the Visitor’s Center and biked back to the campground.

After dinner, we waited for the shuttle, but missed the last bus. So we walked to the General Store and got some ice cream!  Then we walked to the Sunrise Point and we saw the canyon- it looked spectacular because of the redness of the rock and the hoodoos (rock spires) looked funny.  Then we walked back to the campground.  That was an awesome day!

Hey y'all!! I would first like to thank all you peeps for tracking me on my blog (Hey Mrs. Jones and Lynden!!), and all you peeps who put comments or smiles on my entries. You guys rock!!

Today we are in Bryce Canyon National Park, and it is BEAUTIFLUL!! The weather is great, and you get to just sit under a tree and eat lunch.

If you have not been to Bryce, or any National park, I take pity on you. Go to Zion, Bryce, or Yellowstone, because those are the best!! PLEASE POST A COMMENT OR A SMILE, AND YOU TOO MAY BE ABLE TO SEE YOUR NAME HERE LATER!!

Ciao Baby!!

Bryce Canyon National Park had always been among my "top ten" places-to-visit-list. We arrived there in the early afternoon and pitches up our tent at the North campgound. Again it was no problem to find a vacant spot. Fortunately there was plenty of time left to visit some of the viewpoints along the rim (including Sunset Point, Inspiration Point + Bryce Point). When I approached Bryce Point I was speechless with admiration. Sooo beautiful! Like you would expect in a fairy tale. Despite its name Bryce Canyon it is not a  canyon but rather a huge natural amphitheater. The "Canyon" is best known for the innumerable ammount of "hoodoos", fascinating rock formations formed from wind, water, and ice erosion. From above the size of the hoodoos was only vaguely perceptible. On the following we would learn that they are huge!
What a day. We started at "Devils Garden" with its wonderful arches, visited the fascinating stony goblins at noon and chilled out in the evening at Sunset Point at Bryce Canyon. Just great!

Spent 2 days hiking in Bryce Canyon.  Hiked the 8 mile Fairyland Trail down into the canyon and through the Hoodoos.  Also hiked several other trails and caught an awesome sunset at Sunset Point.  Absolutely Beautiful!!

Here are the photos I took as I hiked below Sunset point...........................

Here are my backpacking photos as I made my way through the Bryce backcountry.......................

I get off the Cottonwood road and make my way through the town of Torrey where I get gas and a few food items at the store and then head up towards Bryce Canyon National Park.  At Bryce Canyon I check out the visitor center and then head out to find a place to camp in the megalopolis campground.  I find a spot and then head out for a sunset peek at the scenery from the edge of the "canyon".  The scenery here is amazing.  Just beautiful colors and endless numbers of amazing hoodoo sculptures.  Amazing!

The next day I have planned on taking backcoutry backpack into Bryce canyon's backcoutry.  I get up and explore the highway leading out into the park.  Bryce is set out in a linear fashion with a dead end at the south.  I made my way to the south and visited all the scenic spots which are mainly drive-up viewpoints over the edge to the scenery.  After that I drop my backpack off near the trailhead, drive down to the other end of my hike and then ride my bike back to the trailhead with my backpack to begin my backpacking trip.  I am planning on spending just one night backpacking.  You are required to fill out  permit setting up your camping spot and filling out your itinerary.  The Bryce backcounrty is not all that popular so it is easy to get a campsite.  I head down on my backpack and see the world below the rim which most visitors to Bryce don't get to see.  This part of the park has trees that you are down hiking in and there are a few hills to cliimb along the way which feel bigger than they really are at the high elevation of Bryce (7,500-8,000 feet).  I spend the night at my campsite at Yellow Creek and there is a family that shows up just after I set up my Camp.  They are from Maryland and they are doing a 4 day trek.  There are about 7 sites at each official camp spot and with just these two groups it is quiet. 

On my second day I have to climb out of the canyon to Rainbow point which is a major viewpoint for car tourists.  It is a beautiful hike up the long hill through the rock formations.  Some very nice scenery.  Especialy the last mile or two.  There are some tourists hiking down from the viewpoint now too so it is getting busier.  Nice backpack though.  By just driving to all the viewpoints along the roads I never would have seen the scenery from this perspective.  I finish my backpack, retieve my bicycle and find a campsite in the campground city.  The campgrounds are not all that bad I guess just big and spread out.

The next day I take a morning hike deep down into the canyon from Sunrise point.  There is a 5 mile or so hike I took that takes you around the rock formations and gives you a diferent perspective on them than the one you get from above.  There are spots where they are very tall and that is impressive.  It was a nice hike with lots of picture taking.  After that I pack up and head my way over to Zion National Park which is just a few hours away from Bryce canyon.

Sixty miles north is the entrance to Bryce Canyon National Park.  Bryce is different.

We drove all the way from the northern entrance south to Rainbow Point at the southern end of the Park.  Then we made about a dozen stops at viewpoints along the way back north.

How do you tell someone about the experience without just showing them the pictures?  I just can’t imagine doing that. Not about these places.  Words just can’t describe.  And most people hear words like amazing, wonderful, outstanding, and beyond belief just too often to make them really understand how special this place is.  Just enjoy the pictures.

Have you ever felt that you could soar with the eagles?  Well today I got to do nearly that.  Okay, so it wasn’t eagles, it was Ravens.  And I really didn’t fly with them so much as watched them with my camera.

At the very end of the photos you sill find several shots with one, two, three, and even fours Ravens flying, soaring, and just allowing everyone to enjoy their antics.  I know you can’t have as much fun as I did watching them but I hope you enjoy the pictures.