We eventually left Zion (sigh) and entered the outskirts of Bryce. The change in scenario and climate was immediate and dramatic. The temps dropped ten degrees and the wind picked up. We noticed that there was snow in small patches in many places. Rock formation started appearing on both sides of the road. They looked like sculptures that had been beaten by the wind and rain so that their original details were obscured.
Once we entered the park we quickly found the lodge and sat down to dinner. Our ulterior motive was to plug in the laptop next to our table and charge it. After dinner we sat in the lodge for hours and caught up on all the things we missed over the last few days. We ended up heading back to the campsite around 930 that night. It was dark, cold and windy so we quickly changed and went to sleep.
It was probably the coldest night we've spent in the van thus far. The locals said it got into the teens that night and I don't doubt it. We were huddled together wearing whatever clothing we could find. My feet were freezing. The morning was not much warmer but the sun eventually climbed into the sky and defrosted our windshield. After breakfast we made our way into the park and found the rim trail which would lead us down into the canyon.
From the very first steps into the canyon we were amazed. The formations in Bryce are indescribable. Every shape, size and many different colors were on display. The sky was bright and blue and the temps were increasing steadily. It seemed like we were stopping to take pics every ten steps.
We wanted to get away from the crowds near the entrance so we headed down into Queens Garden and then into the Navajo Loop. As we descended into the canyon the trees became thicker and soon we were walking along a babbling stream. The day could not have been nicer. At this point it was in the mid fifties with a very light breeze. We dead ended in the Navajo Loop and traced our steps back to Picabo Loop, a 3 mile trail that ran into the lesser used area of the park.
The loop allowed us to see the formations on the far side of the canyon up close. We got some great pics along this part of the trail. The light was filtering through the rocks and creating some great illumination. The sun continued to climb in the sky until it was in the sixties. The weather could not have been better. Unfortunately my wife didn't put on extra sunscreen that day. "Do I look burnt to you?", she asked. I told her not really... big mistake. When it comes to Kristen's complexion I should know to air on the side of safety.
That 3 mile loop turned into a slushy death march on the sunny side of the canyon. We were trudging through mud and snow the entire time. Our feet were moist and we were ready for a beer. After what seemed like an eternity we found the end of the trail and hoofed it for the rim of the canyon. Bryce is unique in the way that you start at the rim of the canyon and walk down into it. At the end of the day you need to hike up and out of the canyon. Well after the seven miles we had walked in the sun the climb up was like a work out on a stair master. We passed several tourists in jeans and fleece jackets (it was above sixty) that looked at us like we were mad. We were huffing and puffing our way up the trail to the rim as fast as we could in an attempt to end the agony. Finally we hit the rim, then we hit the van, then I hit the beers! It was a good day all in all.
We ended up back at the lodge that evening working on the computer. We met the maintenance guy the night before and he was there again. He wanted to hear all about our travels into the canyon. He sat next to us as we uploaded our pics and commented on which ones he enjoyed. He was a really nice guy and a hard worker! We enjoyed your company Pat! We hit the campsite again that night. It was much warmer that night in the van, thank the lord.
The next morning we woke up and headed for SLC, to our extended stay motel! A bed and a shower! And I won't have to put my pants on laying down! Sweet.
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