May 15 - Bryce Canyon

Fri, May 15– The tent was super comfortable. It was a little cold, but we cuddled and had plenty of blankets. We were also shaded, so the morning sun didn't wake us at dawn. It was after 10am when we finally emerged from our chambers.

Heading out of the National Forest and towards Bryce Canyon, we drove near the Cedar Breaks National Monument without realizing how close we were. A few hours later, we noticed and kind of wished we had backed up and seen it.

No matter though, after gasing up and refilling our water in Panguitch, we headed back uphill into some beautiful red rock canyons and into another section of Dixie National forest. Within half an hour, we pulled into Bryce Canyon.

You don't hear much about Bryce canyon, and it is quite far off the interstate, but the park is amazing. The main feature of the canyon are the hoodoos, which are tall tower like rock formations that crowd the canyon.

Stopping at one of the main attractions, Sunset point, we marveled at the colors and breathtaking views of the canyon and hoodoos. Dazey wasn't allowed down the trail into the canyon, but we walked a mile along the canyon rim to Sunrise point, another amazing view.

We drove down the 18 mile road and stopped at half a dozen other viewpoints. Each was more outstanding than the last. Finally reaching the end of the road, we were at over 9000 feet and had a great view south and east, all the way to Arizona south and across the Grand Staircase to the east.

After a romp around the overlooks, we headed back towards the exit. Stopping at inspiration point, we climbed a couple hundred feet up a steep trail for one last incredible view. Bryce canyon blew my mind away; it was much better than I had imagined. Then again, we were in Utah now.

After talking to the ranger in the visitor center and failing to get good advice on what sights we couldn't miss, we headed up into Dixie National Forest again to find camp for the night. After turning back a few times on roads that were too rough, we found one that wound up into some junipers, but no camping spots off the dirt road. After several miles, we disappointingly said, "1 more miles and we will turn around." Exactly one mile later, a barely visable but rockfree road opened up on the left. A few hundred yards down it and we were on the edge of an overlook and into the broad valley beyond it. Just as we were goin to turn around, a firering and camp site appear, just as we needed it.

Scouting out the area, we found some amazing "painted" rocks in the wash. Tyne set up her tent while I beamed in the fact that I was going to get the van to myself in this cool and shaded forest. We cooked prepackaged pasta alfredo on the grill and made tea. Hot drink in hand, we then walked back up to the overlook and sipped tea while the sun set. I got overexcited and climbed the butte to the top, with no payoff. Tyne and I watched as the sun slide in between whisps of clouds and away from our view.

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