It seems exhaustion proves to be a great sleep aid as everyone crashes as soon as our heads hit the pillow. These days of driving have been full, but today had to be the most stunning. Leaving Beaver we began to make our way to Arizona. The magnetic pull of interest and adventure forced us to leave the interstate and head into Bryce Canyon (we were just SO close). What a great detour! Just before getting to Bryce Canyon we passed through Red Canyon. The intense red rocks were incredible and they even formed archways over the road to drive through. The kids thought those were very cool. We took in the amazing red rock hoodoos, sprinkled with snow at Bryce Canyon. The rim elevation at Bryce Canyon is 8,000 feet and this year they received a record snowfall, 11.5 feet of standing snow! They only had one trail open, but because this was just a detour we didn’t have the time to explore as we would have liked. We’ve already discussed a return trip in May! We are impressed at the magnificent creation and how all the canyons we have explored are so different from each other. Bryce Canyon with all it’s pinnacles & spires is breathtaking, and so different from Zion National Park with it’s flat rocks and multiple layers, and the Grand Canyon with it’s veins of red and white rocks and indescribable vastness. Back on our scenic route it proved impossible to make good time. Every pull out was a must stop to take in view points and multiple photos! We headed from Bryce Canyon to Page, Arizona and Lake Powell. Along the way we passed through Kanab, Utah where all the mountains were completely red top to bottom. It is so strange how some of the mountain ranges just look like normal mountains and then some of them are brilliant red. We passed by the Pink Coral Sand Dunes, but just didn’t have time to stop. It seemed around every corner was something to stop in to see - another trip is a must! Page was a beautiful little city perched high on the bluff above Glen Canyon. Traveling from Page, south to Flagstaff, we passed through all kinds of scenery from towering red rock mountains, to vast plateaus, stark dessert, and ponderosa pine forest. Several times throughout the day we reached highway elevations in excess of 7,000 feet, the highest being 7,920 feet. It’s hard to believe that’s 80% of the way up Mt. Baker! Even at this height some of the mountain peaks towered above us. The sun set as we took the interstate from Flagstaff to Phoenix. We arrived in Goodyear at about 9pm, clear, starry skies and 23C. Tomorrow’s forecast: Sunny & 29C! Hello summer, it’s great to be back.
Cutting across Utah towards Bryce Canyon.
Red Canyon
Lake Powell near Page, AZ.
Fantastic scenery. Love it!
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