Bryce Canyon NP - part 2

On our 2nd day at Bryce, we took a bus tour of the southern section - a nice way to see the overlooks without having to drive the whole way down. Plus we met some fun people. Our bus driver (who was an entertaining storyteller) took photos of people at this overlook:


A short hike at Rainbow Point:


The southernmost hoodoos:


John still really wants one of these:


We had the thought many times - what if the Desert Winds race course were here? And we were always thankful that it wasn't!


The second Queen Victoria (QVII?):


Not sure who this guy is:


The Natural Bridge:


Interesting shapes within a burn area:


In the afternoon we ran the Fairyland Trail - another awesome place for trail running:



My favorite tree in Bryce:


John under the rocks:



Looking back at the wonderful Fairyland Trail:


Hoodoos everywhere:



In the background you can see the "Sinking Ship":


Near Fairyland Point:


A fun little window, shaped like a small car:


Bryce is awesome and we highly recommend it!

Bryce Canyon NP - part 1

Bryce Canyon National Park was awesome - we "communed with the hoodoos" on a couple trail runs, took a bus tour, and camped in the chilly autumn-like high-elevation air. I've tried to cull down our multitude of photos but I still feel the need to break this into two parts.

So, here is part 1, from day 1.

Sunrise at Bryce Point (yeah, I can get up early when there is a compelling reason to):



Sneak attack in the Visitor's Center - and watch out for the fox!


Crazy rock formations, aka "hoodoos":



We ran on the Queen's Garden, Navajo, and Peekaboo trails - what a fun set of trails!


Selfie practice:


Lots of pretty colors:


This makes John sad:


A bit of canyoneering practice :)


ET?


Isn't this incredible?


More funky shapes:



Moon over the hoodoos:


Tall trees growing in deep canyons:


Scary...


Thor's Hammer:


Continuing ahead, on the Peekaboo Trail now:




Hi John!


Wall of Windows:


John heading up the trail:



Love these amphitheaters:


Twinkle Toes! A favorite tree of the park rangers:


Stir fry! A favorite meal of Marcy and John :)

Cedar Breaks NM/driving to Bryce

Howdy all!

Time for one last series of "How I Spent My Summer Vacation" photos. John is taking a solar class, so we're hanging out in Colorado for the week before returning home to Austin. I should get a full Desert Winds race report written while he's in class. In the meantime, Kip has posted a bunch of race photos that Bob took - check them out by clicking here.

In the week since the end of the race, John and I managed to see a few additional (and wonderful) places in Utah. We will miss this state and its amazing scenery.

First stop - Cedar Breaks National Monument:


It's a big bowl-shaped valley with interesting erosion patterns and fun colors in the limestone:


John posing with a very old (1600 year-old?) bristlecone pine tree - he said it makes him feel young:


Neat fins and formations:


A nice view off toward Cedar City in the distance:


A tree trying to hang on before being "eroded" off the edge of the rim:


We saw lots of colorful aspen trees while driving in that area and then toward Bryce Canyon. We have never been in Colorado in the fall to see the aspens change colors. They sure are pretty!


John looking off at Zion NP in the distance - ah, memories! We have more "Utah canyoneering" plans for future visits - and would love to have other people along, just let us know!


We found a lava field next to the road, and John reminded me that we have managed to clamber around on top of lava fields each of the past 3 years now. Nice that we didn't have to break the streak this summer!


Howie in the aspens:


Aspens over the lava field:


I almost match the tree colors:


At least John managed to get HIMSELF in focus :)


Next up: Fun at Bryce Canyon