September 3, 2008We finally leave Rt 50 at Delta and pick up I-15 down to Rt 20 which takes us through the pass to route 89. By the time we get to Panguitch, it is dark and we turn in early so we can get up before sunrise. The next morning it is still dark when we get to Bryce Canyon and Sunrise Point. A large crowd gathers as the sky lightens but it is very quiet. After the sun comes up and floods the canyon with light, we walk down the trail through the giant formations. After walking for awhile we decide to head back to the rim, find a campsite and to stay an extra day in Bryce. We have been pushing pretty hard and need a rest day. The next day we use the bikes to ride down to Swamp Canyon where I find a somewhat less overwhelming landscape to paint. At night we go to the visitor center where they have telescopes set up to view Saturn’s moons.
After leaving Bryce, we head up Rt 12 to Capitol Reef National Park. We have seen a lot of "scenic" roads on this trip but Rt 12 has to be the winner for sheer grandeur. Unlike the reds and oranges of Bryce, Capitol Reef has more varied and subtle colors.
Hundreds of pictures later as we get closer to Colorado, the canyons give way to buttes and finally the Rockies appear on the horizon.
