03/22/14 Bryce Canyon National Park and on to Salt Lkae City, Utah

We spent the night in Cedar City , Utah and this morning the plan was to drive to Bryce Canyon National Park . . . see the highlights maybe do a little geocaching and drive to Salt Lake City for the night. When I checked the weather for the day this morning they were calling for snow showers temps starting below freezing and working the way up to the 50's. We were wondering why we left the warmth of the desert to come up here to the cold.
We left the hotel and took State Route 14 toward Bryce. The road climbed from 6100' to 9915' with hairpin turns and a few snow flurries.. We were a little concerned because the tires on this rental van are nearly down to the wear mark but we made it to the top and the sun came out and all was good. We are going to replace the car in Boise on Monday or Tuesday hopefully before we head through the mountains again or run into some heavy rains.

 Once again I am going to post some pictures I took in the park but the stunning landscape is just impossible for a simple digital or any camera for that matter to fully capture. 

Natural Bridge

Bryce Point

Inspiration Point

Another interesting picture is of a burn area that happened in July 2009 and consumed nearly 1500 acres of the park. The fire came from the west up and over the rim across the main road in the park and down into the canyon. Forest fires are so devastating to look at but interesting in the way that the trees eventually renew themselves.

The last pictures of the day are of the man made arches at the beginning of Red Rocks Canyon which leads into Bryce Canyon. It is the way in and out of the Park.

 
After leaving the Canyon we drove 4 hours to Salt Lake City . . . settled into our room at the LaQuinta and then headed out to the Bohemian Brewery for dinner with Pam . . . Topher couldn't join us because he was working. To bad because he missed a fine meal and good beer.

Tomorrow is going to be spent with Topher and Pam.