We left Flagstaff and finally began to head north-ish.
Our last destination was Bryce Canyon in Utah. I have to say that our Rocky Mountains are breath-taking. It's what I expect to see, when someone says the word mountains. Our drive from Flagstaff to Bryce Canyon was spectacular. The landscape and the rock formations in this area were so unique. I really enjoyed it, and would love to go back and do the drive again. Maybe spending more time in a few more places. Maybe going when it's not quite so busy. Or quite so hot.
I had hoped to see Horseshoe Bend, and was delighted that it gave us a smidge of advance notice. Enough to at least signal and get off the highway in time.
We paid to park, and were told by the attendant,
IT'S VERY HOT TODAY.
WEAR A HAT.
TAKE WATER WITH YOU.
DON'T LEAVE ANIMALS IN THE CAR.
I got the distinct feeling, this walk isn't for everyone. We parked and proceeded to make our way to the viewpoint. We were told it was a 45 min walk, return. I had to go back to the car and change out of sandals into runners, the pathway was red sand.
We wondered whether we had time to get to the viewpoint, before the storm him. [We did] It is something else to hear thunder rumbling across canyons and valleys. We heard a lot of it in these few days. [Vegas, Grand Canyon, here at Horseshoe Bend and Bryce Canyon]
First glimpse approaching the canyon.
And here it is, taken with an iPhone. As best as I can, trying to get the whole image into the photo.
Again, mostly no guard rails here. [She's not as close as she looks]
But he's obviously more mindful of staying back from the edge.
Heading back up. Yes. Up.
It.
Was.
Hot.
We stopped in Page, AZ, for a water break, then continued on.
We arrived at Bryce Canyon, and checked into our hotel. This was our rustic little cabin. It was exactly the same as I remembered it when I was 13. We quickly made our way to the 'amphitheatre' for the view.
Mason, by this time was giving us one-word answers. He'd had enough together time. He was crabby. So naturally, we told him to walk it off. When he's crabby, there is often an underlying issue, usually it's hunger...
Then we went for dinner. Not a lot to choose from here, but we did end up having a pretty good pizza at Valhalla and were able to sit outside and eat it.
After dinner we headed back to the canyon again, where Madelyn said, and I kid you not... "Why, we already saw it..."
We made our way to Sunset Point, and watched the last of the sun go down.
The stormy sky followed us here too, and we actually had lightening and thunder through the night.
The next morning I got up and walked to Sunrise Point, where the canyon looked once again, altogether different.
Then we began the long drive home.
We drove through this magnificent storm. This is not edited. This is what we drove into...
Spent the night in Idaho Falls, the kids marvelled at the roaming buffalo...
Our plan was to spend one more night on the road, but we ended up driving home from Idaho Falls in one day. We were all looking forward to our own bed, our own bed partners and some privacy...
First glimpse approaching the canyon.
And here it is, taken with an iPhone. As best as I can, trying to get the whole image into the photo.
Again, mostly no guard rails here. [She's not as close as she looks]
But he's obviously more mindful of staying back from the edge.
Heading back up. Yes. Up.
It.
Was.
Hot.
We stopped in Page, AZ, for a water break, then continued on.
We arrived at Bryce Canyon, and checked into our hotel. This was our rustic little cabin. It was exactly the same as I remembered it when I was 13. We quickly made our way to the 'amphitheatre' for the view.
Mason, by this time was giving us one-word answers. He'd had enough together time. He was crabby. So naturally, we told him to walk it off. When he's crabby, there is often an underlying issue, usually it's hunger...
Then we went for dinner. Not a lot to choose from here, but we did end up having a pretty good pizza at Valhalla and were able to sit outside and eat it.
After dinner we headed back to the canyon again, where Madelyn said, and I kid you not... "Why, we already saw it..."
We made our way to Sunset Point, and watched the last of the sun go down.
The stormy sky followed us here too, and we actually had lightening and thunder through the night.
The next morning I got up and walked to Sunrise Point, where the canyon looked once again, altogether different.
Then we began the long drive home.
We drove through this magnificent storm. This is not edited. This is what we drove into...
Spent the night in Idaho Falls, the kids marvelled at the roaming buffalo...
Our plan was to spend one more night on the road, but we ended up driving home from Idaho Falls in one day. We were all looking forward to our own bed, our own bed partners and some privacy...
We made it home safe and sound, and have all the memories of our trip to look back on.
It was such a good time!
It was such a good time!
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