August 5 - Bryce Canyon National Park

Lodging: Springdale, UT

What a treat! I left Torrey, Utah to visit Bryce Canyon National Park and was planning on seeing Zion National Park tomorrow. But I didn’t realize I had to go through Zion to get to my hotel. So I got to see both - six national parks in five days. Whew! Bryce Canyon is known for its statuesque rock features called “hoodoos.” There is a veritable ocean of them (the two pictures without my bike). They are a cool orangish color, lighter than the stone in Arches or Canyonlands. Going through Zion was a truly unexpected pleasure. I have been in this area several times in the last few years but don’t think I’ve ever been to Zion. It is it’s own separate world. The minute you enter the park the road becomes immaculate (no tar snakes or potholes) and it’s painted a really cool reddish brown color. The rock formations change shape entirely and are more like cliffs (see main photo with bike). The road has tons of twists and tight turns. I am really excited that I get to go back that way tomorrow on my way to the Grand Canyon. But I think the most thrilling part of my day was almost getting run over by a herd of cattle! I was leaving Torrey and passing through farmlands with open ranges. I had already found one lost cow (she was on the other side of the fence from her friends and was clearly lost). I found the farmer and he knew exactly what cow I was talking about and said he would send his herder to get her. Then I’m buzzing down the road and there is a large group of cows blocking the way. I tried pulling to the middle of the road because it looked like they wanted to go right. But then they switched directions and all came at me. I got the video up until when they turned at me. Then I decided I needed to jump off the bike and run for it. I wasn’t sure how much they weighed but I knew it was a lot more than me! Fortunately at the very last second the farmer told his dog to direct them away from me. Some things you just can’t make up. What an adventure.