Sunday, October 4th. In the hotel lobby Joan and I met the guides and other guests for our Country Walkers trip to Bryce and Zion Canyons, and soon we had loaded up the two vans and set out from Las Vegas on I-15. We were headed for Kolob Canyons and then Bryce Canyon, slicing across a corner of Arizona and entering Utah. But we needed a snack stop along the way.
Our guides, Heather Harding and Eric Kessler, also used the break to give us an orientation, including an overview of the area's geology. Then we were back on the road.
The Kolob Canyons, a short drive off I-15, are a part of Zion National Park. Our destination was the Timber Creek Overlook, and a picnic area (click on the image to enlarge).
Even the view from the parking area was enchanting.
A short walk (round trip one mile) took us to the overlook; we weren't the only ones there.
A zoom down into the canyons.
A study of the peak across the valley, with its twists and folds.
Back at the picnic area we sought out some shade and had a savory lunch with a middle-eastern twist.
We rejoined I-15, and eventually reached Fairyland Overlook in Bryce Canyon National Park. From here we would traverse the rim as far as the park lodge, about three miles away.
The timing was fortuitous, even perhaps planned, because the low afternoon sun was highlighting the upper reaches of the canyon against a backdrop of clouds.
These amazing formations are due to deep history (geology) and erosion.
Erosion is undermining this determined tree.
Rain had built up to the east, and the wind somtimes smashed like surf against the edge along which we walked. Most of the trail, fortunately, hung back from the brink of the precipice and kept us sheltered from the worst gusts. Occasionally a light sprinkle would lash us, deterring my photography, but there will still great moments.
This is a look back partway along the Rim Trail.
A closeup from near the rim.
An hour into the hike we were treated to a pronghorn antelope sighting.
Our rooms were in a separate building a short distance from the lodge. Walking back after dinner, Joan and I saw a bright meteor, more impressive than an ordinary "shooting star," streak across the sky. We continued to stare up, but clouds moved in swiftly and we reached the door to our building just as the rain started again.
For a transit day with perhaps 300 miles of driving, we saw and walked a lot!
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