SUNDAY, 9/30

SUNDAY, 9/30:

     Got going a little earlier this morning.  Our first stop on the way into the Nat’l Park was a short turn-off to Fairyland Point.  Really, that’s what it’s called, for obvious reasons.

 

 

     Then drove down to the southern part of the Park –out of the large Bryce Amphitheater where we spent all of yesterday and where the most popular trails, overlooks, etc. are located.  Our first stop on the road going south was Natural Bridge.  Stunning formation.  

 

 

 

      Even a few aspens to complement the scene! 

 

 

  Then drove on further to Rainbow Point, which had marvelous panoramic scenic vistas.  We also hiked nice little mile loop here recommended by a ranger – Bristlecone Pine Loop, so named for the Bristlecone Pine tree which really thrives in this environment – high altitude (highest in the park at about 9,100 ft.)  and arid climate.

 

 

 

 

 

     Then drove back up, and parked in the Bryce Point parking lot.  This is one of the places a Ranger recommended to view a sunset.  So we left the truck there, and hoped on the shuttle up to Sunset Point, where we began our little trip into amazement yesterday.  After spending a little bit of time there, identifying a few of the formations we now were more familiar with from yesterday (including the iconic Thor’s Hammer),

 we started out again on the rim trail, this time, walking the opposite way,

 

  down towards Inspiration Point.  There were 3 different viewing platforms there, at different levels, so you had different perspectives of what you saw below.  Thought we could see part of the Navajo Loop trail we hiked yesterday.

 
 

     The trails here (as in every other National Park we’ve been in) are extremely well maintained, and very well thought-out.  They lead to and through spectacular scenery.  Another example of what our National Park Service does so well for us citizens. One government agency where I’m only too glad to see my tax money being used!  I read that the rim trail here, and I believe the rim road itself, were both constructed by the CCC in the early 30’s.  Whether FDR’s CCC helped turn around the economy is a matter of debate, but what can’t be questioned is the lasting good so many of those projects did.  Generations later, we’re still enjoying the legacies.  Those civic projects certainly weren’t “make-work” jobs!

     Walked back down to the shuttle stop at Inspiration Point, intending to take it back to Bryce Point and our truck.  We could have hiked the remainder of the rim trail down (1.5 miles), but I’d read that the trail in that stretch is pretty narrow, and uneven, and Bill’s knee was strongly protesting.  We’d decided that we’d had enough hiking/walking for the 2 days we were here.  Waited for quite a while, and finally saw a sign that said the last shuttle at this point ran at about 5:30.  It was after 6!  Oops!!  Bill flagged down a friendly-looking couple walking across the parking lot and asked if they were by any chance going down to Bryce Point.  They said they were, but I don’t believe they were intending to until we told them our dilemma.  Another example of the wonderfully friendly people we’ve met everywhere! 

     Were pretty hungry, so when we got to the truck, ate our sandwiches and caramel apples I’d picked up in Kanab!  Took a few pictures of the sun setting here, but I’d read that the sunrises are much better subject for photographing than sunsets, because everything here faces East, so we didn’t expect anything spectacular.  Still, a lovely way to end our stay here.   

 

 

 

 

     We’re so glad we made the little detour to come to Bryce!  It’s considered one of the “lesser” western National Parks, but what a jewel!  It’s a sight-see-er’s, hiker’s, and photographer’s paradise.  We’ll long remember the Creator’s art galleries of amazing statuary, painted perfectly with a palette of soft oranges, corals, pinks, purples, and accented with creamy shades of white.      

     We took Pappy for a little walk when we got home.  Still a little light, but no one is out.  So different from when we began our trip, over 2 months ago during the height of summer.  Then, when we’d walk around a campground, lots of folks would be outside, eating, or around a campfire, or walking their dogs, or whatever.   Now, a very different feeling.  People are staying close to hearth & home, even when travelling.  A sure sign of the changing of the seasons.  Another spring and summer gone . . . another autumn here, soon winter.  This time of  transition always affects me.  Even though I’m so happy to see summer go (certainly, hot St. Louis summers) and fall with its glorious colors arrive, there’s still always a twinge of melancholy and nostalgia.  Just acutely aware of the passage of time, I guess, and how universal, yet personal,  and how irrevocable it is.

     Tomorrow we travel over to Zion for 3 days.  Then back to Sedona for a few days, then home.  ’m I'm beginning to feel ready – for home!