Highway 12: Day 2: Bryce and Escalante

Joe woke us up at 5:30am. Sunrise was at 6:24am so we bundled up as best we could with what we brought (not much in the way of warm clothes) and took our selves to Sunrise Point. For about five minutes, then the babies were too cold so Dave took them back to the car and I stayed with the camera, in 30 degree, windy weather, but cozily wedged in between French and Japanese tourists on the lookout over the Amphitheater. It was glorious to watch the sun warm the red sandstone. I was numb by seven so I jogged down a trail to warm up and take some more pictures and let me tell you - it was the prettiest run I have ever been on.

Meanwhile Dave and the babes (sounds like a band name) were having a breakfast of jerky, goldfish and Twizzlers. We took them back to the hotel and allowed Joe a 30 minute power nap while we googled and made a game plan. The game plan: Navajo Trail.

By 9am we were hiking again. I say "hiking" but it was not challenging. It was rather easy, actually, even hauling babies and water and whatnot on our backs.

 

Dave "poking" Thor's Hammer.

 When we finished Navaho loop we took a lunch/swim break back at the hotel. Then we drove the two hour trek to Escalante.

The Grand Staircase of Escalante. It is MASSIVE - covers almost 2 million acres.

The last half hour was on a dirt road - Dave was in his element. 

 

To get to the slot canyon of Dry Gulch (a MUST see, seriously), you have to scoot down this hill and slodge through some sand but it was worth it. 

Nature!

Every step of the canyon was breath-taking. There was a deliciously cool breeze blowing through, and the echoes and the sheer HEIGHT of the rock made you feel like you were in a cathedral. It was incredible and I totally get why those French and Japanese tourists came all this way.

You can see how high the water got in the last flood. Basically, you don't want to get caught in a thunderstorm here.

Stay calm - barring my arm falling off, or forgetting how to step down, we were good!

If God solidified the Red Sea after he parted it, it would have looked like this. This will be hanging on our wall someday.

We ended up wading in anyways. That water was freezing!

Here is where we turned around, but it went on for miles.

Riley loved the canyon - the echoes, dragging her hand on the wall as we walked, eating bits of jerky and nuts...girl knows how to party.

It felt like we were in a western. There was very little sign of civilization (But there WAS a sign; it said, "Road may be impassable - carry extra gas and plenty of water" eek!). But it was beautiful and totally worth the trek.

 We got back to the hotel about 7:30pm and it took Joe about a second to pass out. Riley took 2.