From Zion to Bryce and Back Again

We've been all around the park the past few days. Took the Raider on a ride up to Bryce, three days ago, about 90 miles distant or so.

The weather man said it would be up near 70 and sunny. I guess he changed his mind after we left... I don't know as it got to fifty... and that bit of white stuff spittin' at us had me wonderin'.

*Bryce National Park*

It's another place I have some difficulty photographing. You're up above the scene for the most part and looking down in is sometimes a tough angle. It's another awful pretty place though.

But being higher, it might not be the best for an early spring visit on a motorcycle for some gals that are a mite thinner blooded than I am. ;)

*Stormy Weather over Bryce National Park*

Then the next day we took a hike... 4 or 5 miles up on the east rim of Zion Canyon. We started out too late so we didn't make it all the way from the trailhead to the rim... but we still got to see a thing or two that most others here missed...

Not long after we stepped off along the trail we encountered signs that weren't painted...

These partic'lar signs were left by what I took to be a "gal" and somewhat bigger than the one we saw down in Arizona...

This one had what I took to be a "yearling" walkin' along with her...

*Cat Track in Zion*

We followed this pair for about a mile or so up the trail... Takin' a SWAG, I'd put her at somewhere around 150 lbs. Maybe even a touch heavier.

Yesterday we left the protected shelter of the canyon...

... and took a run up the west side of the park...

Drove the truck up Kolob Terrace road to Kolob Reservoir.

I'm not sure how high that gets to be... but... once we climbed up there, it was but 60 degrees while down here in the canyon it was still warmin' up to 82.

*Kolob Terrace Road... A GOOD Motorcycle Road! ;) *

It's a narrow winding road running up there... and until a day or so ago much of it was still snow covered from the last storm they told us...

Up at the top it was muddy! Put the Ol' Dodge in four by and waddled on through... Ate our lunch of cheese and crackers sitting in the cab in the cool high country watching a Hawk hunting for his...

In the evening, while everyone else was choosing to take their supper we rode the tram up to The Temple of Sinawava to take a sunset stroll up the river walk...

It's a nice time then. Few folks around... The Turkeys and the Deer stand quiet just off the path as you walk by.

The sounds and scents of the canyon are clear to be heard... without having to "zone out" the sounds of other "spectators"...

...awful nice...

One of the nicest parts is, you can capture a few shots that can't be taken at any other time of the day...

*Temple of Sinawava in Zion Canyon at Dusk*

We'll be spending much of the day today cleaning up and packing up... gonna be pulling out and turning back toward the east some time tomorrow...

... Bound for? ... We think we know... but we're never quite sure...

Yondering down the Road
Brian