Day #11: More Canyons
Here a Canyon.
There a Canyon.
Everywhere a Canyon, Canyon.
After leaving the Lake Powell area, we spent the day in Utah. We drove through the Grand Staircase, Escalante National Monument, Cottonwood Canyon, Red Canyon, White Cliffs, Bryce Canyon, Dixie National Forrest, and Zion Canyon. Yes, it was all very beautiful, but I am quickly growing tired of Canyon-ville.
Now, let me tell you about “THE ROAD.” I first came across “THE ROAD” with Sherika and Alicia on our first trip around the Grand Canyon a few years ago. At the time, our map simply said “local road.” There was no street name or number, and if I remember correctly, the length wasn’t even marked on the map. We didn’t know it was a dirt road, nor what shape it was in until we got there. And, even after we saw it, we still didn’t know how long the road was. We just knew it was the shortest route through the area.
This road is mean. MEAN, I tell ya. M E A N. It is an approximately 35-mile dirt road. I don’t mean a 55 mph dirt road. 20 mph at best. Usually 10-15. It winds around rocks and canyons. Many places in the road are so washboarded that you feel as if the car is going to shake apart. It took us almost 3 hours and we passed less than 6 cars coming in the opposite direction. You even have to cross a creek.
Why did I take “THE ROAD” again on purpose? It is gorgeous. Really. It is unreal to be in the middle of nowhere. Of course, my mom almost freaked out. She yelled at me for a few minutes before she got silent (which, if you know her, is even worse.) After not speaking to me for about an hour, she loosened up some. In fact, we even took a detour on the road and took some pictures along the road and of Grosvenor Arch.
Once we made it through “THE ROAD” we went to Bryce Canyon. Erosion formed this canyon and hoodoos. There is so much erosion from the elements, that the landscape constantly changes. Strangely, there was even still snow on the ground there.
From Bryce, we drove to Zion Canyon. Along the way, we passed a buffalo ranch. (I’d never seen a buffalo ranch.) I hate to keep repeating myself, but Zion was also amazing. In Zion, the highway runs through the middle of the Park. Max speed is 20 mph. You cannot go faster either. Otherwise you’ll crash into a mountain or zoom off a cliff. There’s a tunnel in the Park, 1.1 miles through the mountain - with no lights! Very dark and very thrilling!
Tonight, we’re in Hurricane, UT. Tomorrow we’ll see Hoover Dam and drive into Vegas. Jack is scheduled to join us on Tuesday.
Also, I want to give Heidi props. Today she ran the Long Island Half Marathon in a little over 2 hours. Congrats, my dear.
