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DAY 6 Thursday 2nd August 2001
A WALK IN BRYCE CANYON
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| A Filling Start | I woke up early and was in the shower by 8. We had to get the girls up at 8:45. They then showered etc and . . .
. . . 9:30 to the restaurant for breakfast. Didn't have to queue long. I had scrambled eggs with diced ham, hash browns and toast, tea, orange. Girls all asked for pancakes. I asked how big they were. Waitress indicated about 8ins across - I advised caution! Katie had a "short stack" 2 pancakes - Lucy followed, but Mary had a "full stack" - 3 pancakes. When they were delivered the Germans on the tables either side of us were amazed. So much so that they ordered one to try - and it was extra to their buffet meal. Suffice to say that no-one finished breakfast except me.
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| Today's Adventure | Back to room to prepare for the day. Everyone water-bottled up and ready about 10am. Went to the Blue Line free shuttle - this one goes from outside the park to the Visitor Centre. The bus shelter says we need tickets. Mary insistent that we don't. I go to the kiosk and get our tickets. Both right of course, we do need tickets, but because we have the Annual NP card it is free.
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| The Descent . . | Off we go to the VC. Then catch a Red Line shuttle to Sunset Point. Different light to last night, so all the colours and the shadows are also different. Took the path downwards, ever downwards thru the Slot Canyons made by the rows of Hoodoos. Took this route because the book says 521ft of descent/climb. This trail hooks up with the Queen's Garden then the Sunrise Trail. This last trail has 320ft descent/climb. Therefore, there should be a gradual climb at the bottom before a shorter steep bit to come back. Luckily this proved to be correct in all respects. Logic triumphs.
The descent was steep and windy down a man-made trail zig-zagging on an otherwise impossible slope. The people coming back up were suffering - remember 8200ft at the top is hard work. Several small children looked really pale and distressed - hope they made it OK. The views on the way down were amazing - whereas you don't get the overall majesty, you do get to see how it (the erosion) all works, and being amongst them all adds to the effect. Walking along the bottom gives another perspective altogether.
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| . . Followed By | Then we came to the ascent. Slow and steady with plenty of stops for drinks - sometimes in the shade, sometimes not, but always plenty to see (and photograph!). Eventually reached the top. I was drenched, the girls weren't. That says something about obesity doesn't it (plus being the eldest a bit?). I sat on a wall with my back into the wind and partially in the sun to dry off - I had worn a rucksack - while the girls all looked at the thunderstorm in the distance. Yes folks, on this 8000ft-plus plateau we had temperatures in the low 70's, clouds and thunderstorms in the distance. A far cry from fan oven LV!!
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| R&R + Technological Marvels | Bus back to Visitor Centre (Red Line), swap to bus back to Ruby's (Blue Line). Into the General Store to get 2 litres Pepsi to go with the Doritos and Dips we bought yesterday - that's our lunch. Gave girls some dollars and they went back over the road to shop at the Tacky Trading Post. I started a concentrated effort to get up to date with the diary and succeeded. Mary had a snooze.
Eventually girls came back, I carried on writing, Mary stayed asleep. Took time out when I reached yesterday to write my postcard home and go to the store, post my cards (and Katie's and Lucy's) and get money from the Wells Fargo ATM. Now that was impressive 'cos not only did it give me my money (multiples of $20), but also told me my UK Bank Balance in GBP. Int Technology Brilliant!
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| An Evening Stroll | Decided to go 6ish to Fairyland Point, just outside NP to have a look from that perspective (North End). OOPS, missed the turn so went into the NP (flash the card at the toll booth), to the VC where Mary bought a poster for the kitchen and KT got a postcard. THEN we went to Fairyland Point. Couple of photos, saw some very brightly coloured bird life. Back to Ruby's and the evening meal.
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| Another BIG Meal - & Flatulence | Girls wanted salads - chose the Chef's Special - no-one finished again. They had been eating for about 20mins when Lucy noticed that it didn't look any smaller. I had salad, ribs, jacket potato and a bottle of Coors. Lovely. $59 the lots (+tips and taxes).
Katie had a little discomfort throughout the meal. Discomfort caused by a gaseous condition - we think probably due to the pancakes for breakfast, as all the women were similarly affected to a lesser degree. She squirmed, she stood up, she wandered around. Eventually she left the restaurant altogether to take "remedial action". Her unfinished salad went into a Doggy Bag. Lucy wasn't looking forward to her evening with KT - we said she could come to us if it got really bad! Back thru the general Store where I bought my Bryce T-shirt. Then back to rooms for a quiet night in at altitude. Tomorrow we move to Lake Powell - well Page near Lake Powell.
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Words and pictures © Steve Andrews 2001 - 2012