Bryce Canyon National Park

HooDoo Heaven: The brashly colored, gravity defying limestone tentacles reaching skyward- known locally as "hoodoos" are the main attraction of Bryce Canyon.

"Bryce Canyon National Park is a national park located in southwestern Utah in the United States. The major feature of the park is Bryce Canyon, which despite its name, is not a canyon but a collection of giant natural amphitheaters along the eastern side of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. Bryce is distinctive due to geological structures called hoodoos, formed by frost weathering and stream erosion of the river and lake bed sedimentary rocks. The red, orange, and white colors of the rocks provide spectacular views for park visitors. Bryce sits at a much higher elevation than nearby Zion National Park. The rim at Bryce varies from 8,000 to 9,000 feet."

Since we didn't get to go to Moab and Canyonlands we decided that we should at least go see Bryce Canyon National Park. From the Grand Canyon we drove to Lake Powell. It was amazing coming down the side of the Grand Canyon. It really does just go on forever. A few times we had to pull over just to stare at it a little longer. Every time the sun hits the rocks a new color illuminates across the canyon walls.

We decided not to drive very far that day and stay in Page, AZ. There was a good Walmart parking lot in town and we really wanted to watch the King's game somewhere. So we found the "Damn Bar and Grill" and made ourselves at home. We met all sorts of hockey fans (even some Canadians) who helped us root on our boys! It was Game 7 vs. The Ducks and it was another elimination game. Win or go home! The game was absolutely amazing because we killed 'em!!! The final score was 6-2!

After the game we headed back to Walmart to try and get some rest before our early start in the morning.

We took the most beautiful drive up the AZ/UT-89 through small towns, farmlands and inside canyons. I'm not sure we'll ever take a main highway again. We are always so pleasantly surprised when we take the roads less traveled. Plus Destiny and her four cylinders really appreciate the speed limits of 55 on the side roads. She doesn't have to work as hard and we get to slow down and enjoy the views.

We made it to Bryce Canyon around lunch time and started the 18 mile tour. It's not a loop so you have to turn around at the top and come back down. We stopped at most of the look out points. It was a little weird after just seeing the Grand Canyon and the canyons around Lake Powell. We were a bit Canyon-d out, but still found some beauty here. It was so red.... all of the rocks and dirt were shining these radiant hues of reds you have never seen before. And the views from some of the look outs were incredible. It seemed as if I could see across the entire state of Utah and the hundreds of canyons and plateaus it beholds.

The hoodoos made the whole place, well and the natural arches. It was just insane how tall and narrow some of them were and they were everywhere. We didn't have much time for hiking around  so we only did one at the very end of the road. It was 1.5 miles through a beautiful little forest and then out to the very edge of the canyon. It made me nauseous looking down. Jordan went all the way to the edge. I think he likes near death experiences. Haha, little tiny rocks were falling off the side as he was taking pictures. That was enough to make me cringe in fear!!! I have to admit though, it was a pretty incredible view from up there!

It was a bummer we were on a time crunch because it would be fun to explore more!

 Farewell Bryce, we are off to Salt Lake for the night.