Day 03 - To Salt Lake City

Today our trip will begin by reversing our route to Bryce along Rte 12 and 89.  When we reached Rte 89, we turned north until we reached Rte 20.  Heading west on 20 we will connect with I-15 until we reach Salt Lake City.  By the way, the temperature this morning was 43 degrees.

We expected to head out to Salt Lake City when the bus left, but No!  Instead, we are lucky enough to head back inside Bryce Canyon for a hike around the amphitheater at Inspiration Point.  From Inspiration Point, we hiked north towards Sunset Point. 

Absolutly fantastic!  The sky was clear this morning and the sun was up so we were able to get some good pictures of the Hoodoos.  From Inspiration Point, those on the tour who wanted to walked along the rim trail.

Along the way, I was able to get a picture of a horny lizard.  Not sure what it really is called and I didn’t really see it until the lizard scuttled out of the way of me stepping on it.

After the hike, we got back on the bus and started our trip to Salt Lake City.  Before we really get on the road, we made a stop at Red Canyon.

Red Canyon is a section of the road that runs through red sandstone and rock on Rte 89 heading to Bryce.  The formations are pretty amazing and inspire names like the Salt and Pepper shakers, as seen in this picture.

Back on the road to Salt Lake City, the scenery is not as dramatic as yesterday but it is still nice. Lots of farm lands with cattle and pastures or crops with hugh watering systems. 

We still see mountains in the background on both sides of the road. 

At one point, we pass a section of the country side that has lava rock exposed in the grass.  The black lava is highly contrasted with the lighter colored grass and dirt.

Also, we did not see as many different animals today as yesterday, but we did see deer while in Bryce Canyon Park.  As usual, we were able to see horses and cows and we also saw some Pronghorn Antelope.  They were some distance from the road and we were traveling along a highway, but you can still see them.

We stopped in Provo for lunch and then continued on our way.  The temperature was around 95 degrees and it was pretty hot.  However, there is snow in the top of the mountains from snow they had last week!  Go figure. 

In Salt Lake City we drove around, and stopped at the State Capital for the tour picture, temperature around 103.  Tonight we head to a tour the Beehive house, gardens surrounding Temple Square and the Mormon religion headquarters, and then dinner at the Lion House.

I will post another entry for pictures of Bryce Canyon after this posting.

Tomorrow we head to Jackson, Wyoming.  Bob and Carmen.