Friday, October 11, 2024
I’m sure some of you have figured out our destination especially with the town of Panguich clue. And now the rest of you can see oue destination on the above map.
Red Canyon on the way to Bryce Canyon NP
Tunnel on Utah Highway 12 between Panguich and Bryce Canyon.
Bryce Canyon National Park has some of the most stunning scenery on earth. The tall red spires contrast with white caps and the green forest on the canyon floor- wow, just wow!
To get to Bryce Canyon National Park one must drive through Bryce Canyon City. This link tells the amazing story of Ruby’s Inn and the wise Reuben and Minnie Syrett- https://nationalparkexpress.com/unique-story-of-rubys-inn-at-bryce-canyon/. The “city” was formally known as Ruby’s Inn before it got so big. The whole place is tourist oriented- at least the general store offers some groceries. Sleeping accommodations can be had at the Inn, Best Western Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel. During high season one can go horseback. A rodeo every night, mountain bike rentals, ATV tours, helicopter tours and a musical dinner show at Ebenezers Barn and Grill starring the Bryce Canyon Singers. It even has a full service auto repair shop and fueling station.
The Bryce Canyon Singers put on a good show at Ebenezer’s
We stayed at Ruby’s very large RV Park choosing an end site in their newer section.The sites are huge in this part of the park and we could walk our mutzos in native vegetation away from other dogs. The park is only 3 miles from Bryce Canyon NP entrance station so we pack up the mutzos and head to the park. We were here shortly after 911 some 23 years ago. My how thngs have changed! There’s three entrance booths of which two are open. It’s 0900 hours and we are about 6 cars back in the line to pay. Never have I seen a line to get into Bryce Canyon NP!
Views from Sunrise and Sunset Points
The first two places we visit are Sunset and Sunrise Points. The parking areas are packed but we find a spot in each one and walk to the rim. Wow, the view is just drop dead gorgeous!. Brilliant red spires and rows of parallel rock formations appear to be stacked close to one another. In reality these formations are all due to erosion. One could stay here all day long and just watch the mood of the canyon change as the sun traverses the sky.
We decided that we would see more the next day and let the thundering herd subside somewhat if that’s possible. So the next day we head up the road a ways farther in the hopes that Sunrise and Sunset Points are much busier due to their nearness to the entrance. Hey, we were right. Bryce Point, in our opinion is the premiere location to view Bryce Canyon. The view is a panorama of cliffs, hoodoos, spires, closely stacked ridges their reds contrasting with the green conifor forest at their feet. So beautiful.
Natural Bridge area
Jil and I notice that what seems the majority of people here are from foreign countries. Many take advantage of the Bryce shuttle buses and come in groups. And then there are the tour buses. These folks must get package deals back home and then they all come together. I don’t have a problem with visitors coming to visit the natural wonders of our country but they do contribute to the crowds.
We do a little snooping in Ruby’s general store and restaurant, trying to hunt down an ice cream cone. Not at this store but the one across the street in what’s called “Old Town” which looks buildings from the old west. We had to wait a day for our “cream” as the store opens on Thursday. The ice cream was good, by the way.
We are going to Capitol Reef National Park from here. It’s about 130 miles to Torrey where we’ll be staying at Wonderland RV Park. The National Park is about 9 miles east of Torrey. So until we meet again, Adios amigos!
Travel With Jil and Mike 