Day 35 - Just when you thought you'd seen it all...along comes Bryce Canyon

But first - we spent the morning in the 'surprising' Capital Reef National Park.

We did the 10 mile 'scenic drive' which was REALLY scenic and then had a two mile walk to see some more Indian carvings and 100 year old grafiti.

The grafiti was written by early explorers to let people know they had been in these canyons. It was quite fun seeing "Joe Smith, 17 July 1882" carved on the wall. It made us wonder if in a few hundred years the current grafiti on walls will be viewed by tourists with as much interest....

Another good walk set us up for another 'scenic drive' to Bryce Canyon. On route we had another picnic lunch in yet another great canyon and watched a group of cowboys drive their cattle along the road. We are enjoying being back in Utah and back in the heat. Another 80 degree + day today - great for picnics and sitting by the river.

The last few days have seen the first signs of fatigue on this trip. I guess that after 35 days that is not too surprising. Capital Reef NP and Torrey perked us up as they were not expected. So today we had a little more energy and really enjoyed the morning walk and drive to Bryce.

Now - Bryce Canyon.

Bryce, Zion (tomorrow) and Grand Canyon (3 weeks ago) are all part of the same geological area. We are kinda back where we started and I was expecting Bryce to be just a smaller version of the Grand Canyon. Well I was wrong.

Our first view was nothing too special. A great canyon, great views - colours more orange than Grand Canyon (which was red) but once you've seen as many canyons as us...you get a little blasie....

Our second view changed everything. The Hoodoo's are what Bryce Canyon is all about. They are truly amazing and unlike anything we have seen in all the other canyons. We were all simply stunned.

Indian legends tell of a Tribe of 'bad people' who lived in this canyon who were turned to stone as punishmnet for being bad. Geologists tell of unique sand stone layers or rock weathered by rain, ice and wind over millions of years. Who ever is right - the end result is amazing.

Tomorrow we walk down into the canyon and we cannot wait to see the Hoodoos from that perspective.

This evening we enjoyed another Rodeo - this time without the torrential rain.

Yet another full day. 9 days to go....

Ken