Utah - 'The Best Snow On Earth"

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And, apparently "The Best Fires On Earth". I slept under the glow from the blaze on Navajo Mountain. It was about 50 miles away and you could see the flames. From my understanding, that's a smaller one. Parts of Zion are closed and you can smell the smoke,as well as see it, from many miles away.

It has been a very fun couple of days. I am staying at Bryce Canyon; at the historic Ruby Inn. It's just a stupid Best Western. Rented a White Toyota Camry. Not a bad little car. But I digress.

Flew through Monument Valley on the way to Hall's Crossing Airport. It's ONLY ten miles from Lake Powell. Very hot and long bike ride. After sitting for a few minutes I decided to bike down to the ferry and take it to the other side of the lake. Not free like Hatteras. 12 bucks round trip for me and a bike. Biked some more, uphill of course, and ate at the Anasazi Lodge. Just some parks service place. It was OK. Biked back to catch the 7 PM ferry and made it in plenty of time. Talked with the crew. I was offered a ride back to the airport by Diane. I thought that was great. I even got to ride in their little, leaky launch from the ferry to the dock. Don't tell the management. We stopped at Diane's house where I met Mark, her husband, and a few other people. Scott, A NPS Cop, Matt, Ditto, Kirby, an NPS Ranger from Georgia, Chuck (I think) and some other guy. Mark and the other guy, well Chuck too, work on the roads out there. Anyway we hung around Mark and Dianes until about 11 PM. Kirby finally gave me a ride back to the airport. Slept under the plane. Windy but really nice. Mark came by in the morning so I took him on a quick sightseeing trip. Then hung out with Morey for a bit before leaving for Bryce.

Arrived in Bryce about 1130 AM. After getting kinda settled in went hiking through the Hoodoos of Bryce Canyon. Really one the most beautiful places I've ever been. Much more to say but this connection sucks so I want to publish,dammit.

I'm off this AM to California. I am going to have to divert around some fires as well as some mountains and militray operations areas. Such is life. Trying to make it to Mammoth Lake. Stop in Tonopah? Perhaps. I like the name.

Aloha

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Photos

Joe and Olga
My friends in Albuquerque

Chinle, AZ
On the way to Lake Powell

Lake Powell Ferry
The Charles Hall

Lake Powell
From Halls' Crossing

Morey
Airport Manager-Hall's Crossing-"I am here 25 hours a day,8 Days a Week, 53 wekks a year"

Navajo Loop
Bryce Canyon

Wall of Windows
Peek-a-Boo Trail-Bryce

Hoodoo
Coyotes turn men into stone

Comments

[Dorothy Scheublein]

I really am enjoying your vacation
I look forward each day to your narration and pix. I spent many months doing research in that 4 corners area so, it brings me back. I am loving your panoramic photos and detailed experiences. You certainly live life in every breath. Thank you for sharing. Dot.

[BOB BARBERO]

HI
WISH I COULD HAVE WENT WITH YOU

[Peppi]

Bite Me!!!
Can't believe how Kewl this trip is. Continue to keep us updated. Just returned from Soggy Washington DC. Beer Festival in Virginia. Leaving for Charlotte, NC on Friday.

[Nancy]

I can't believe their brisket was better, I won't mention that fact to Ted. Be safe, love ya

[Laurie]

Fly right!
Sounds like you are having a great time - continue!!!!!

[Kelli]

Hoodoo!
I've read up on Bryce Canyon and read water and ice worn the canyon rocks into odd shapes in more than 60 shades of red, pink, copper and cream. The bright colors change with the sunlight. Geologists say that 60 million years of history of the earth's crust can be read in the rocks. It's all pretty amazing. Be well Tom...

[debbie]

= )
i went to monument valley too! and i got a 100% on my first flying quiz..YAY for me .. love you<3be careful