Thanks Utah! And can I just say Wow!

This morning I woke before the sun and quietly slipped into my running gear and out the door. My iPod had died in the night so no pictures this time and I was without music which was odd for me. I wanted to run without music this morning anyway just in case I startled a rattlesnake coming out from a rock. I wanted to hear it's warning sign so I had my hearing aid in.
It's funny how cold it is in the morning. It is crisp and cold. Yet by 8 it will be 30.
There is an awesome bike path that goes all the way into the Red Canyon. I only ran a four mile this am so just to the top of the canyon and back. I was nervous to venture down on my own so I turned back at the two mile mark. The sun had been busy rising behind me and I was awarded a gorgeous run back making the big hill seem flat and the road easy. The air is thin here and a four mile felt like a ten on my body. Everything felt heavy as I heated up with the asphalt.
I'm so glad I got that run in though as we pack up today and head to Nevada. Although I didn't have the camera I will always have a picture in my mind of one of the most gorgeous running routes I have enjoyed to date.


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Grand Canyon

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Bryce Canyon Sunset

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Sunset

Grand Canyon

Today we set out at 9am - destination Grand Canyon - dNorth Rim. Our original itinerary had us bound for Flagstaff, Arizona today but we decided to change it up. With the camper already off, we booked another night here in Bryce Canyon and climbed in the truck for the Daytrip to end all daytrips. A three hour drive each way on a gorgeous curving road leading us to the Grand Canyon.
Worth every minute of the drive we enjoyed the vistas and took pictures galore. It is a sight that leaves you speechless and yet wanting to grab your kids and say wow! Can you believe this?


We had lunch in the Grand Canyon Lodge which was surprisingly inexpensive and afforded us additional time to soak in the view of the canyon. We bought a few souvenirs at the gift shop and the ladies happily checked off three state licence plates on the walk back to the car, that up until now had eluded them. A long drive back and just pulling in now with plans for a pool swim before dinner.


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Hoodoos-not voodoo- but definitely magical

I can't believe how much we crammed in to the day yesterday. It was like a camping triathlon of horseback riding, hiking, and pool frolicking plus the warm up of getting laundry done and the cool down of s'mores around the campfire....oh and the victory lap which was the sunset at Bryce Canyon.
Although the $25 entry fee for the park came as a surprise, the sunsetting over Bryce Canyon is priceless. The sandstone takes on a pinkish hue and the layers of colour across the sky are absolutely breathtaking. So far the highlight of this trip for me and I hope all my pictures turn out.
Here are some from my iPod


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Horses,Hiking and Blue Skies

Today we were booked for a horseback ride at 9am so we were up early for showers. The cowgirls put on their newly purchased cowboy hats and kicked up their heels with their best cowgirl swagger and we headed over to the corral. That's right podnah!



We were a little early, can you say excited? so we moseyed on down to the saloon and rustled up some hot chocolate and coffee while we waited. (sorry couldn't resist)


We were driven down to the start of the trail where we were then fitted for our horses. Grace had Sandy, Rachel had Cedar, and I had Diamond. We were in a group with a family of four from Switzerland who had been in the USA for a month, renting a camper in San Francisco and traveling throughout the western states. They were as awestruck as us by the beauty of the canyon. We had a spectacular two hour ride. I used the Canon to take the pictures so I will have to post when we get home.
After the gorgeous ride through the canyon you would think it would be hard to top that scenery but....we headed back to camp to find Dad had taken the camper off. So after a nice lunch we drove down to Kodachrome Basin and went for a hike up Angel's Trail where we took some more spectacular photos.


Rachel and grace at Kodachrome Basin




It was a hot and hard hike in the blistering heat but it was all worthwhile to reach the peak and take the photos. Glorious view!

We went for a nice swim in the pool when we got back and felt very refreshed. BBQ chicken fajitas for dinner around the campfire and now we are set to drive up to Bryce Canyon where we are told nature puts on a light show in the form of a sunset that is out of this world.