Day 2 of park exploration was decidedly lower key with all hiking being short jaunts along the amphitheater rims. We started at the far south end of the Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive at the Rainbow Point, Yovimpa Point, and Bristlecone Loop Trial which is a low key 1.4-mile loop with spectacular views to the northeast, southwest and south. For those not well versed in topographic maps, we stayed in the area where the contours were further apart, thus saving our thighs and calves from further abuse.
Heading back north, we stopped pretty much at every stop and overlook and OOHed and AHHed at the views. The picture set below includes those. We then stopped for an extended stay at the Natural Bridge Overlook for some pretty stupendous pictures and views. Continuing our travels north we stopped at Fairview Point and Piracy Point where there was a short rim walk of about 0.6 miles. Best part about hiking and walking was always the beer at the end of the day.
While staying at Ruby’s campground in the motorhome, we ate in with some great meals. Joni had made a large batch of Sangria and then a second batch which was well received. Joy and Joni had collaborated on menu items, and we ate like royalty. Mostly simple breakfast, lunch of cheese, crackers, cold meat, leftovers and dinners that included tri-tip and scalloped potatoes and other fine combos.
On the late afternoon and evening of the 4th, the weather started getting rough. The big RV was tossed. If not for the courage of the fearless crew and Sangria….. In any case, we had high winds and decreasing temperatures. We made a quick foray into the park on the morning of the 5th to stop at the park store and secure the obligatory knick-knacks then returned to the RV for a day of just hanging out. Larry and I tore into his wiper motor circuit which was not working and making travel in rain and snow somewhat unpleasant. We did not succeed in fixing it, but we did narrow the problem down.
The out of the gray of the western sky a slowly building snowstorm which because of the high winds and applying authors right to embellish, turned into a blizzard, garnered extreme interest for an hour or so.
Bryce Canyon – scenery, geology beer. All of the perks that pushed me into a 43-year career.
