Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah: After Dave went for a ten mile bike ride this morning, he came back to get me and we went on a ten mile bike ride. Our ride together was at a more leisurely pace, and we stopped at all the view points. The path is very nice, smooth pavement with a center dividing line. The path is for walking and cycling.
The first stop was to the Park Visitor Center where they have great displays about the geography, animal, and Native American history in the area. Of course, they also have a great book and gift shop, so I loaded up on postcards (see below).
Next, we continued to Sunrise Point, a gorgeous lookout behind the Bryce Canyon Lodge. The sunny weather was slowly changing and it looked like a thunderstorm was approaching.
Hoo Boy! My Driver did not like looking down into the canyon! Vertigo City. He was fine if there was a railing to lean on, but otherwise, it was me taking in all the views over the red rock hoodoos alone. So much beauty. Bryce Canyon is truly a national treasure.
We saddled up again and continued to Inspiration Point - truly inspiring!
Can you even believe this was created by nature and not Walt Disney? Amazing. The colors!
At this inspiring point, we reversed our course and rode back to our RV as fast as we could... well, except at one point, when I noticed my speed was 16 miles per hour and basically slammed on the brakes. That is too fast, no matter how soft a forest-floor landing would be. The return route required more braking than peddling - mostly downhill. We arrived to our RV just before the skies opened, but it didn't rain for too long and was still in the high-70s. Time for a rest/rehydrate, and finish-off the bison brats and potato salad for lunch.
The skies opened several times on and off this afternoon, so our planned trip to the southern-most rim was cancelled. Even late in the afternoon, when we ventured to the Ruby Inn to mail our postcards, we thought we had a good weather window, but walked back in light rain. Light rain, but huge raindrops.
We did not need to re-stock, but found the liquor store at Ruby's Inn quite interesting. Obviously they have converted their bell desk to a liquor store. Hope you do not need help with your luggage.
After returning from our walk to the Inn (one-mile round-trip), we settled-in for the evening. Cocktails and appetizers:
DT had a Negroni. I had my usual dry martini. Cheese & crackers, pretzel sticks, olives, dried apricots. Rinse and repeat. Dinner was quite nice. Chicken thighs (with bones and skin) were marinated all day in lime juice, curry powder, paprika, Kosher salt and chili flakes. DT grilled the bird, while I sauteed onion, red pepper and garlic with one small zucchini. Everything was garnished with the cilantro left-over from the guacamole yesterday.
We plan to hike tomorrow - and I see a curry chicken salad in our future.
Until my next update, I remain, your rainy-day 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.