Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah: DT was up early on his bicycle to scout-out the trail we planned to hike today - one we have hiked previously. He returned over one hour later to report there was no way he could do that trail due to his vertigo. Okay. Plan Two. We decided to hang-low in the RV until mid-morning, then take the free park shuttle out to the outer edge of the park and walk back, taking our time, keeping to paths with railings, maybe have a late lunch at the lodge, and use the shuttles between vista points as needed.
That was our plan anyway. DT was working on the New York Times crossword. I was stitching. Suddenly we heard the news President Biden had decided to withdraw from the race and not seek re-election. Wow, what a moment in history. We switched-on the news stations and listened to the report from every angle (except one). After listening for one hour, we decided there was nothing left to learn so laced up our shoes to go for a hike... and that is when the sky opened with thunder, lightning, and gallons of rain in 60 minutes. It was crazy, came from nowhere and was not predicted. My phone was blowing-up with flash flood warnings, thunderstorm warnings, etc. We hunkered down, and waited out the storm.
At 4p (mountain), it was finally safe to leave, and the sun was shining. We hopped on the free National Park Service Shuttle bus (there is a stop at this campground) for the first time and took it to the final stop at Bryce Point. Wow, what a gorgeous overlook into the valley of stunning red hoodoos.
We caught the shuttle to the Sunset vista point. Again more ridiculously pretty views. Previously, we have hiked all the major trails in the valleys, so do not feel too bad about not being able to walk them again. I posted photos yesterday from this same spot, but it looks so different in the sunshine.
We hiked walked from Sunset Point to Sunrise Point along a wide rim trail. Really so very few people on the trails mid/late afternoon. We also noticed the campground at Ruby's had really emptied-out and the other thing we noticed is we (as Americans) were in the minority. Most of the park visitors were European, primarily from Scandinavia or Western Europe. A few Indians and very few Chinese. Even the young European children speak very good English. Cruise America is very well represented in Bryce Canyon National Park this weekend.
I took the shuttle back to the campground from Sunrise Point. Dave left the rim and walked to the Visitor Center on the bike path, then caught a shuttle back to the campground. I baked a frozen Whole Foods Pizza in the Barbie oven that didn't turn-out half bad. A Caesar Salad accompanied.
We leave the dizzying canyon tomorrow for a golf mecca.
Until my next update, I remain, your Bryce correspondent.
Campground Information: Ruby's Inn RV Park & Campground - Full hook-up in gravel with fire ring and picnic table. Bath house and laundry, store, pool, hot tub, restaurants. We are paying about $65 per night. This company also operate many hotels, a rodeo, tours, and anything else one could want in the area.
Vertigo is a beast. I’ve had it for 10 years. I feel his pain.