14th May - Bryce Canyon

A short drive from Red Canyon to Bryce Canyon. Just like the ranger at Grand Canyon complained about, we saw two SUVs stopped in the middle of the road. So we had to stop behind them and like them, try to take photos of a petrified pronghorn antelope/deer thing. I tried to take some photos of it, but they were mainly of the poor animal’s white butt as it sprinted across the road in front of traffic going both ways. It was a gorgeous looking animal though. But I may never be very good at taking paparazzi shots, so I better keep practising!!

We went to the visitor information centre to try and work out how to make the most out of our time at Bryce. And check our email using the free wi-fi there J. We spent a few hours taking the free shuttle bus to various look-outs and taking photos. At the first and furthest spot on the normal shuttle bus trail (there is a really far away spot which is supposed to be nice for sunsets/rises) we stopped to take in the spectacular view. Again, it was so different from Zion, Monument Valley and Grand Canyon. A few squirrel photos later, we were admiring how the rock formations were so tall and narrow and looked like apple crumble or apple cobbler topping – yumm! Will took lots of photos of a cute deer which was minding its own business near one of the carparks. We walked part of rim, but when thunder and lightning started, decided to call it a day. The scenery was just stunning, with the crumbly peaks heading down the sides of the canyon. We saw lots of people hiking in the bottom of the canyon, but the thunder, lightning and on-and-off rain stopped us from going down the sides. 

After that, we accidentally took Betsey on a drive of pain and heat. We didn’t realise the pass was actually over 9600 feet. This was scenic route 12. It was definitely scenic – and we should know as we had to keep stopping to let her cool down! Honestly, it was incredibly high and we didn’t realise it was going to be like that! On the drive I counted at least 40 deer – some a little too close to the sides of the road we were speeding along! As it started to get dark we found a camping ground that was actually open (e.g not still partly snowed in) and spent our last $10 in cash.