Bryce Canyon - Truly a dream becoming a reality!

When I was in 6th grade I was doing some project for Social Studies and came across some photos in the encyclopedia (remember when we used those?) that stopped me. I was stunned! Where is this place? Does this really exist? The photos were of Utah! Right then I promised myself that some day I was going to visit Utah in person to make sure those photos were real. Man, they are real!!!!

I did Zion yesterday and today I was heading up to Bryce Canyon. This is the place I am most excited about in Utah. This is the place in the photo that stopped me! Like the Grand Canyon, I wanted to see the sun rise over Bryce. I'm staying in Kanab, which is about 1 hour 20 minutes away so I had to get up REALLY early to make sure I was there before the sun rise. I was on the road at 4:30 and got there at 5:45. Bryce Canyon National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. I just drove right in and made my way to Sunset Point. I know, it says Sunset not Sunrise but this is the photo I saw and damned if it wasn't going to be the first glimpse of Bryce that I saw!

I will do my best not to inundate you with photos but, come one, how could I not take a hundred photos of this place?
 This is the first photo I took. The sky was getting lighter but the sun wasn't up yet. I was overwhelmed with emotion.


 As the sun rose, I made my way down the path that runs along the canyon. It was only 54ยบ out and my plan was to hike the Navajo Loop Trail that takes you right down to the bottom of the canyon.





 I'd stop at the end of the hairpin turns to take another shot of the sun coming up.


 The red of the rocks was just getting brighter and brighter as I made my way down the steep path.








 The light begins kissing the tops of the outer walls and hoodoos.








 I was really here; seeing this magical place for myself!!



 I kept making my way down the serpentine path (that's it above) until I made it all the way to the bottom. Now I was taking photos looking around me and up!




I made my way around hoodoos and through rock formations so I could visit the Queens Garden (the end of this particular trail). See the likeness?




 Now the sun was up and the tops of the canyon were on fire. Now it's time to make my way back UP to the top. 


 The return goes up somewhat gradually at first but at over 8,000 feet elevation, it's a good workout. Then things changed!





 You literally have to walk back and forth up the side of the canyon up some stairs at times and on an incline at others. It took me about 90 minutes to do the under 3 mile round trip and it wasn't even 8:00 a.m. yet.

After my hike, I drove out of the park, bought myself a cup of tea and waited for my Shuttle tour of the park. I signed up for a 3.5 hour tour of the park that left at 9:00. Here are a few spots we stopped at.










 Every step I took at Bryce I could see images in the rocks. It felt a lot like I was in an Indiana Jones film. The longer I was on the tour, the more I saw different people and creatures. Let's see if you see what I see.
 A baby dinosaur....or Bart Simpson
 A woman holding a baby


 Just me practicing taking a selfie.

 Looks like a dog.





 A baby sucking it's thumb
 A lion
 A woman in a bonnet and a row of Chinese soldiers
 A pioneer woman
 A face in profile

Is it just me? Do you see it?

 Doesn't this look like something you'd see in a movie? Doesn't look real! It looks more like an ancient city.

 The final stop....Inspiration Point





Exhausted, I drove out of the park at 1:30, having spent almost 8 hours there. I'm not sure it can get any better than this fulfilling of a promise.






Comments

  1. staciaJuly 9, 2018 at 3:45 PM

    i know you would love it! the only one i cannot see is the dog. the others are clear as a bell.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownJuly 19, 2018 at 11:11 AM

    I love it out there! I'm envious that you got to see it at sunrise. That does seem magical! xo

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

I did it!!! Final blogpost!

Image
You all know what it's like to come home after a long trip. This was a LONG trip! I really didn't miss home that much because, really, what's the point. I knew I was going to be gone for over 8 weeks and I put my energy towards being truly present wherever I was. I'd say it was when I crossed the line into the midwest (with only 5 days left) that I let the thoughts of home sneak in. I am so happy to sleep in my own bed. Why do so many people have extra firm mattresses. You might as well sleep on the floor! I'm so happy to cook my own meal and to walk around barefoot! Sigh! 13,031 miles (a palindrome), 30 states, 25 National Parks, countless hairpin turns, crazy elevations, defying my fear of heights, a multitude of conversations with people from around the world, local brews and food and endless beauty. I am so incredibly fortunate to be able to take such a trip. I worked hard to save the money by working 2 jobs, took the summer off for the very first time, pla...
Read more

Vancouver - Part 1: Chinatown, Gastown, Granville Island and Stanley Park

Image
I already know I wish I had stayed longer but I did pack it in while I was in the Vancouver area. Here's a map of Vancouver to give you some perspective on the places I visited while there. First, I'm staying in an airbnb west of downtown but a quick ride by bus. After I checked in and chatted with the owners (who are so lovely and welcoming), I hopped onto the bus that took me to the edge of Chinatown so I could walk around the city. It was warm and sunny out (in the 80's) but seemed so much cooler because it has been SO HOT throughout my entire journey. I zigzagged around Chinatown and stumbled upon the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. What a beautiful oasis inside a bustling city. It was the first garden of its kind outside of China with winding paths, rocks, water lilies, koi and turtles in the pond and pagodas nestled beside lush green plants. It so reminded me of my time in Taiwan. After the gardens, I continued to walk around Chinatown ...
Read more

Wow! Almost done! Michigan and Niagara Falls!

Image
Can you believe it? I'm almost done with this incredible adventure! After tonight, I have only one more night on the road. Wow! When I started, it felt so huge with over 8 weeks of travel and now I'm almost done. I am damned proud of myself, not just because I did this on my own but that I kept my energy and enthusiasm up the whole time. I only took 2 days off where I didn't drive or seek out adventures. I averaged over 230 miles a day! Yesterday I left Illinois and made my way up into Michigan to see the west coast. My good friend Jahn is from Michigan and she raves about this beautiful state. My first glimpse of Lake Michigan when coming around Indiana and up into St. Joseph was beautiful. It was a hot and hazy day but you still get an idea of how massive the lake is.  I then headed down to the beach to dip my toes in the lake.   I stopped at the classic carousel for a quick ride before heading down to the lake. It is so strange walking a hot...
Read more