Day 10 - Bryce Canyon

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We got a slow start this morning, but we enjoyed the easy pace. We ate a light breakfast and headed out for Bryce Canyon Nationl Park. To get there we had to drive through Zion NP and got to enjoy the the views again. We were not sure we wanted to go to another canyon park since we had seen so many and Bryce is only 90 miles from Zion. But, we didn't have anything else on the schedule so we packed Maggie into the car and headed north. There were about 3 changes in the environment along the way; from green pastures w/ slow meandering streams like Germany; a national forest; and a bright red canyon, but nothing prepared us for Bryce. I don't think there is another place on the planet that looks and feels like it. When you look at the pictures of the "Hoodoos" and the Fins check out the scale w/ the pinyon pines. The hoodoos are hundreds of feet tall and have amazing range of reds, whites, and yellows! The views were from over 8000ft and we could see for miles across the Dixie National Forest. After visiting the park we drove down to the desert of northern Arizona to see Pipe Spring National Monument. Looking across the endless desert we were surprised by the lack of plants. The guide told us that at the time Brigham Young came to Utah, the desert was high plains grass lands similar to wheat. The settlers brought cattle and sheep with them which destroyed the natural grasses, leaving the now barron desert. They provided an interesting tour, but the main reason we went was to check the route we will take on the way to the Grand Canyon.

It was another great day, but we're both looking forward to a day of rest tomorrow. Then Monday we will head out to the Grand Canyon Village. We're sure glad we bought a 1 Year National Park pass before leaving home, we've more than made our money back already! They cost less than 90 dollars and each of the parks was around $25, we've been in Zion twice and will go to the Grand Canyon a couple times as well.

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Photos

Day 10 Bryce Canyon 001
Red Hoodoos at beginning of park

Day 10 Bryce Canyon 008
Bryce point, you stand out at a point overlooking part of the canyon, there is no way to capture the view snce we are surrounded by almost 360 degrees of canyon.

Day 10 Bryce Canyon 014
Mi Hyon trying to capture views from Bryce point, that fence is on the edge of a 2000 foot cliff

Day 10 Bryce Canyon 017
Amazing view from Fairview Point

Day 10 Bryce Canyon 025
Natural Bridge, it was actually bright red

Grand Canyon trip 162
entrance to Red Canyon on way to Bryce NP

Grand Canyon trip 203
Some of the White Hoodoos

Grand Canyon trip 204
Out at Bryce Point

Grand Canyon trip 243
Part of the forest that was recently burned.

Grand Canyon trip 287
Thors Hammer

Grand Canyon trip 293
Pipe Spring NM

Comments

[Dancing Dave]

BEAUTIFUL
Gotta say pity it has a date on it as this pic is superb. If you are going to take more great shots might I suggest you take the date setting off and keep them coming!

[Mike and Mimi]

Dat Display
Point taken, we'll turn off the date ;-) Thanks.

[Susan]

Hoodoos
Amazing views! I really like the hoodoos. Why are they called hoodoos?

[Mike and Mimi]

Hoodoo
It means to cast a spell...they cast their spells on you when you see them. They are breathtaking to see;-)

[Cal]

Howdy
Hey Mike, Looks like you all are having fun... Great photos too! Cheers, Cal