The Road and Maps

Sometimes the road is the destination.  We found that out when we did our Route 66 tour.  Yesterday we discovered it again when we drove from Blanding UT to Bryce Canyon.  We could have taken the long way and used boring interstate highways, but we chose to take three scenic byways -- one north, one west, and one south.

It was necessary to take a circuitous route because there are lots of mountains, buttes, mesas, and canyons.  In this part of the state flat land is hard to find.  In fact, it's hard to find anything but wilderness!  For the first two hours (my driving shift), we drove up and down twisting, scary mountain roads traveling from 4000 feet above sea level to 9000 feet above sea level.  There were times when I really had to slow down, and I was glad that I was driving the truck.  In the Honda, I would have been sorely tempted to speed just for the fun of it and because I know how that car will handle.  The truck is not so maneuverable.  There were many times when I slowed down just because the views were so stunning.  During my 122 mile driving shift, we saw no more than 10 other cars on the road.

The road took us in and around red rock cliffs and mesas.  Then the landscape changed to sandstone cliffs and to petrified dunes that were washed white in the bright sunlight.  At first I thought that nothing could possibly live on this land, but we saw chipmunks and prairie dogs and sparse grasses.

We did reach a stretch of road that was flat and I was able to take it up to 80 mph -- that was fun.  We changed drivers at Hanksville and were driving behind a bunch of motorcycle tourists for awhile.  There were frequent signs that warned of steep descents and sharp curves, so Dennis had to slow down too.  We were suddenly back in a land of cliffs, mesas and canyons with a few streams.  One of our favorite sights was from far above the canyon floor -- we were driving along a ridge of land that was slightly wider than the two lane road itself with no barriers on either side.  The road twisted and curved back upon itself and I could look down into the canyon and see a campsite way below us and way before we reached the campground entrance.  I would have taken a picture, but my vertigo has its limits!

Down the mountain and over the Colorado River.

Don't look down!

After that exciting passage, we entered national forest lands and were surrounded by pine trees, aspens, and birches.  This area was watered by more than one river and the land was actually farmed in places.  The sudden sight of green was restful to our eyes; it felt familiar.

By now we were approaching our hotel for three days, Bryce Canyon Pines.  I booked various places just by guessing and hoping, but this place is a nice temporary home.  We have a tiny cottage with a front porch overlooking mountains and meadows.  We then drove into the park to see what it was like, to get a map, and to find out about night sky presentations.  National Park Service maps are pretty nice but often seem inexact.  We have a general idea of where things are but we have to keep our eyes open for the signs.  Our Utah map is much more thorough.  This afternoon we are taking a shuttle bus tour through the park to hear all about the geology and to see all the best sights and tonight we are going to a night sky presentation to learn and then view the night sky.  Who knew that the sky would be part of "the road?"