We were up early to see the sunrise come up and light Bryce Canyon.
To fully appreciate and experience Bryce Canyon in my opinion is to venture out of the car and take the many trails to hike among the various hoodoos and rock formations! It is an unbelievable place.
Heading out of Bryce Canyon we stopped and saw Fairyland Canyon.
We drove across the barren and rocky landscape and through parts of the Dixie National Forest. Cattle have free range through much of this area.
Driving through the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument on Highway 12...one of the most scenic stretches of roads in the Southwest. This was declared a national monument in 1996 and is nearly 1.9 million acres! Many dinosaur fossils have been found here as well.
This car was the brunt of a lot of our jokes this trip. We lovingly referred to it as our "space probe" as we navigated through the Utah landscape that really did feel like we ventured into Mars in certain parts.
We drove from Bryce Canyon to the Capitol Reef National Park. The views are stunning here...it is desolate and beautiful.
"Egyptian Temple"
Capitol Reef National Park is much longer then wide. 60 miles by 6 miles. The park was established in 1971.
The waterpocket fold is basically layers of exposed wrinkled rock in the earth's crust by the Fremont River. It is nearly 100 miles. Beyond the colorful trees and grasses by the river it is mostly an arid desert.
One of the questions that the girls asked the ranger while getting their badge is why the park has the name it does. He explained that the white dome looked like the dome of the Capitol and reef refers to the barrier that humans found while traveling through here as it is very rugged.
Once we stopped at the visitors center we took the scenic drive which gives you a good overview of the park.
Viewing the petroglyphs
Juliette took a look at the petroglyphs and exclaimed, "they look like aliens"! People next to us got a good laugh and agreed.
We went to a ranger-led talk on the Fremont Indian Petroglyphs. Seen above are pictures of bighorn sheep.
From 600 to 1300 C.E., native people of the Fremont culture lived here and gave us the very primitive "emojis' in their time to let us know of their life here.
It is amazing that the Native Americans and then eventually Mormon pioneers could make a living off the land...but where there is water, there is life! The trees were ablaze with bright yellow leaves making it all the more colorful!
The "dab". :)
We drove through Fruita which is a historic Mormon village. There wasn't any fruit in season to pick but we did find some ice cream and pie for an afternoon snack at the Gifford House Store!
Fruita was established in 1880 by a group of Mormons. They planted an orchard and farmed. There are about 2,500 trees here and are preserved by the NPS.
Fruita was established in 1880 by a group of Mormons. They planted an orchard and farmed. There are about 2,500 trees here and are preserved by the NPS.
Hickman Bridge hike and a view of Capitol Dome.
Meeting a few new friends...
Just so beautiful!
Until you stand underneath these arches and climb among the fallen rock do you really appreciate how grand it is!
yuca
Fremont River
With so few towns, the skies practically glow with thousands of stars! Even with the full moon ebbing you can see the Milky Way every night.
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