Thursday, May 12, 2016

It was a 1 whistle pig, 2 deer, 6 antelope and about 25 bighorn sheep day.  We left Beaver, Utah, and backtracked to I 70 to go to Capitol Reef National Park.  It was 74 miles from I 15 and not much traffic.  We thought not much traffic until we pulled into the Visitor Center and the parking lot was full.  The scenery at that Park is wonderful.  The rock formations and color are amazing.

The park ranger gave us directions to get to Bryce Canyon National Park.  Everything was good until he told us about having to go across hog back ridge for 12 miles.  My eyes were like saucers when he held his hands up in a pyramid shape with his fingertips about a quarter inch apart and said "this is how steep the sides are and the road goes right along the ridge top.  Now the driver has to keep their eyes on the road and the passenger can look at things, but you both cannot look at things."  At least he warned us.

So we set out and were gabbing away wondering when we were going to get to that part of the road, when there it was.  Maybe six inches of dirt beside the pavement on each side and straight drop offs.  I don't like edges.  I don't like high places where you look straight down.  So we both had our eyes glued to the road and neither was looking at things.  It did widen out a little and I took a few glances but we were relieved to get past that part of the road.  And I missed my chance at a great sign picture!  Before we got to the drop off place, there was a sign that said "Sharp Curves next 85 miles."  You read that right - 85 miles!  But it was a beautiful clear day with no clouds and the scenery is outstanding.  Now I understand why everyone always says these national parks are not to be missed.

Bryce was stunning.  The rock coloration and shapes are jaw dropping.  It was much busier than Capitol Reef, lots of traffic and a lot of motorcycles.  Then we left Bryce and went to Zion National Park.  Another absolutely amazing place.  It has a 1.1 mile tunnel, which was interesting.  Lots of people there also.  That's where the bighorn sheep were.

From there we were going to go to Phoenix until we realized that it's 411 miles from Zion NP.  Needless to say, we are staying in Page, AZ, tonight.  We drove, well, Stella drove 90 percent of it, 465 miles today.

We ate dinner at a steakhouse tonight and had a great meal.   We entertained ourselves by watching a woman teaching a group of Asian tourists how to line dance in the parking lot.  Went right with the 60's country music playing in the restaurant.   Tomorrow, we are off to the Grand Canyon and Phoenix.

I forgot a sight we saw yesterday.  Two Cowboys on horseback with their cow dogs herding sheep.  It just looked strange.