Bryce Canyon - by Nicole

Day 8 and 9 Bryce Canyon

I was really excited to get to Bryce Canyon. You see, I had no idea what to expect because I did zero research on the place. Stephanie was the experienced hiker and I counted on her to get me ready for my first real hike. I just bought the equipment I needed and let her do the rest. She really prepped me so that when it came down to the actual hike I had tons of fun because I was prepared for anything, all I needed to do was enjoy myself and take lots of photos! I have to also thank Alan too for sending all of his incredible hiking PowerPoint presentations to me: ) I had a great pair of shoes and all of the right clothing so I didn’t overheat…I loved my new hat and walking sticks are the best for stabilization when going up or down a hill. I was so excited to be there hiking for real!

We arrived Monday afternoon at Ruby’s Inn just outside of Bryce Canyon Park. It was a relatively easy drive for us so when we checked into the hotel we decided to get to the park and at least do a short hike to scope out the trails. The clouds were blowing in as we hiked down the canyon…it was around 5:30pm when we started our decent…we knew we would start losing light around 7 or 8 so we kept the hike short. The canyon was gorgeous! The rocks have eroded over time and created what they call “Hoodoos”. Check out our photos to see what I am talking about. The park rangers refer to the tops of each eroded column as “Hoodoos”. They encourage you use your imagination when looking at these beautiful yet oddly shaped rocks…I thought one of them looked a little like snoopy : )

On Tuesday we went on our official hike early in the morning so as to avoid heat and thunderstorms. I was so excited! Our hike took us all the way to the bottom of the canyon where the pine trees grow and where the birds chirp loudly. If I didn’t have to watch where I was stepping the entire way I may have been able to identify more birds. Our hike lasted about 3hrs. It was awesome as you can tell by the gorgeous photos. We did have to make a choice to come back up either using the Navajo Loop Wall Street side or the Navajo Loop Two Bridges trail. We took the Wall Street trail and I think we lucked out and had the better trail for the journey back up. At one point you find yourself lodged between two towering cliffs that provide much awaited shade and a lovely tree that some how reaches to the sun above the crack between these cliffs. It was at this point the hike really began to feel like we were in an Indiana Jones movie as we traversed between beautiful red towering rocks. The last leg of the trail was a series of switchbacks straight on up. I would highly recommend this hike to beginners wanting to get into hiking. It wasn’t very difficult and offered plenty of sightseeing along the way with no fear of bears and few bugs. It was long enough to feel some sense of accomplishment and the trails were well marked. I hope to one day be able to come back and do the full day hike!

Written By One Excited Hiker!-

Nicole

Days 9 & 10 - Bryce Canyon National Park

Our trip from Salt Lake City to Bryce was successful due to my disobeying the navigation system. I still don’t know where we would have ended up of I had not turned when I did by following road signs instead of listening to Mercedes. We found Ruby’s Inn in Bryce Canyon City and checked in after Nicole’s Best Western rewards were figured out by the staff there. Ruby’s Inn was a mini city and we were told it is legally its own city by a receptionist. It had a small grocery store several nick-knack shops, a pool, spa, restaurant and several separate motel style lodges. Separately from were we stayed Ruby’s had a large RV and Campground with its own store and pool too.

We attempted to do a short hike called the Queen’s Garden, but we only got about half way due to some serious black cloud action. Later the canyon did get thunderstorms so I was glad we bailed. In the morning we set out for the second attempt and there at the end of the Queen’s Garden trail we found a very determined ground squirrel after our snack. After a rest at the bottom we set out onto the connecting trail to Navajo Loop and took the Wall Street route which turned out to be very scenic and memorable too. I’m so glad the hike was relatively easy because later in the evening we hope to attend the Ranger’s Astronomy lecture and viewing. The lecture was really interesting and the viewing was even better once people started dropping out as it got colder and later. Bryce was an amazing place, I would to go back and camp there.

Day 7 - From Tetons to Salt Lake City, UT

We packed all out things up from our Lakeside Room and headed off to breakfast. Nicole tried the Blackberry French Toast which was recommended by Chet. I ordered the Blueberry pancakes but they were way too big to finish. We took it easy as we drove to Salt Lake and even stopped at Bear Lake to make a sandwich and take in the view. When we arrived at Salt Lake we made a quick run to the mall across from the hotel to give out toes a much needed pedicure before our hikes at Bryce. Thanks for looking - Steph

Day 6 Steph's Pics Float Trip & Teton Range

Day 6 Part 2 Nicole's photos

Day 6 Grand Teton Float Trip

I had been waiting for Saturday all week…you know why??? Saturday was float trip day! When Steph and I first checked in to the hotel the receptionist told us Saturday would be the first float trip of the season and asked us if we would we like to sign up? We immediately said yes please sign us up! Neither of us had ever been on one before. We met our guide in front of our lodge at 9am sharp. This first trip of the season would turn out to be a small one, but it was just right for us. There was Gary and Shay, a couple from North Carolina, Chet from Mississippi, Steph and I and finally Mark our guide, originally from Chicago. Mark was very educated on the wildlife and the history of the area…he also managed to slip a few jokes in here and there as tour guides often do. Would highly recommend this trip to anyone who gets a chance to visit Signal Lodge in the Grand Teton National Park. It was a beautiful 2hr trip down Snake River with views of the entire mountain range. We were so lucky to enjoy this unique view from the river. These float trips are also great opportunities to see wild life. Steph and I were still hoping to see a Moose, but as fate would have it we saw no Moose today : (However we did manage to see two more Bald Eagles perched high above in their trees. We saw several other birds, so many I can’t list them here because I forgot all of their names…but Steph has the info and is keeping track of them in our kids guide to wildlife in Grand Teton.
One of our friends on the float trip just so happened to be the father of the head chef at the Lodge’s restaurant “The Peaks”. He suggested several menu items we should try while on our stay. We made it back to the Lodge just in time for lunch. We listened to Chet and decided to try the bison burgers, they were delicious! He also recommended I try the blackberry margarita. So a midday drink it was. We really hadn’t enjoyed very many alcoholic beverages since entering the park, mainly due to the constant need to consume water to stay hydrated, but today was an exception. My midday drink led to a very nice midday nap in the sun. Yes the sun finally was shining and it warmed up enough that I was able to wear a pair of shorts and flip-flops and take a glorious, much needed, much deserved nap. Steph followed suit and curled up on the couch for a nice long nap too. When we woke up we both took a nice walk along the lake and then headed back to our porch for beers and the sunset. After sunset we made our way over to “The Peaks” for dinner. Chet had also recommended we try the bison new york strip. It was so delicious, yet another great meal prepared by Chet’s son Josh!
It was our last evening at Signal Lodge…tomorrow we head back into Utah. Bryce Canyon is just a day away! See you all real soon - Nic

Finally Mammoth Hot Springs

Finally at Mammoth Hot Springs I really knocked the dust off my camera and even changed lenses. Those of you who really know me know I've sort of put photography on the back burner, well I'm back baby! There we also got as close to a bear as we hope to get by spotting BIG paw prints. The day turned out to be a twelve hour day and we had to drive back at night. I drove very cautiously, and we kept ourselves awake by listening to a Stephen King audio book. I had a close encounter with an elk crossing the road, thank God I wasn't speeding it could have been scarier than Stephen King! Good Night.