July 9 – July 15; Trip days 100 – 106
After Zion, we departed for Bryce Canyon National Park. We had some awesome views of arches along the way and wildlife.
There was a herd of Bison along the road.
After arriving at our camp site, I set up the RV and went to go fix the bathroom shower door. One of the screws had come out of the track wheels and it fell of the track. Fairly easy fix, but to do so involved lifting the heavy glass doors out and reseating them in the track.
We stayed at Ruby’s Inn and Campground, just outside the park. The site we had was very large and we had our own grassy area and fire pit area. The kids loved it as they could play in the grass near the RV.
Taking a break from the heat. The kids were coloring and journaling in the shade. The blue cube is a misting fan we picked up to help combat the heat in the dry air.
We went to the Visitor Center, which is just down the road from the campground. It was busy, but not as busy as Zion. The kids did their books and got their badges. We learned in the museum that the whole area of Utah and parts of Colorado and Arizona, referred to as the Grand Staircase, is connected through geology (NPS, Wiki).
A depiction of the layers and their ages. Best viewed enlarged.
I got Ducky his own Camelbak and his own Junior Ranger hat. He is very proud of them. This way he carries his own water, and if I need to put him in the pack, I can strap his water to it so it’s accessible.
Ready to head out on the Mossy Cave trail. Ducky wanted to walk. I’m getting the GoPro ready to record the hike (yet to be processed…). You can view the Mossy Cave hike log here.
After a short hike, we made it to Mossy Cave, which is more of a grotto. We also found our first Hoodoo medallion.
The kids look on at the cave and watch the water flow.
Victory shot – shenanigans may have been involved!
From there, we hiked over to the Tropic Ditch. The kids enjoyed putting their hands in the water and feeling the speed of the current.
From there, we could take a short walk and see the Tropic Ditch waterfall and see other visitors playing in the pool.
After the hike, we did the scenic drive and got some awesome views of the Bryce Canyon formations.
Back at the campground, Ducky asked me to take him for a walk. So, we went on a walk around the campground and he told me all about the ghosts in the campground. Ducky is apparently very into ghosts right now. But we did meet another little boy, who was camping with his family that was an only child and was very excited to share his toys and have someone to play with.
Randal enjoys dinner in the cool evening. The building behind him is the Inn across the lake.
Everyone has a good time catching up with friends back home via video chat!
Evan takes Randal out for bike rids on Garrett’s bike. Randal really enjoys the rides!
Meagan, Jarek, and Randal went out for the Bristlecone Loop trail one morning and found their Hoodoo medallion.
Views from Bristlecone.
Views from Bristlecone.
Afterward, they went to check out the nearby town of Tropic.
Do you ever feel that you are having trouble navigating life?
Queens Garden – Navajo Loop Hike
We mounted up the family for a big hike to do the Queens Garden – Thor’s hammer – Navajo Loop Hike. You can view the GPS log of the hike.
So this was how it started…
The trail started off with a decent descent down the sandstone slope into the canyon.
We were rewarded with numerous spectacular formations along the trail.
Family shot at the bottom!
There were several places where the trail was carved through the rocks. Fortunately, it wasn’t as bad as Carlsbad Caverns where I had to crawl on my hands and knees.
The “Queen Victoria” Hoodoo.
Documenting the Hoodoo for the quest!
The Navajo Loop Hoodoo!
Taking a break on the way up.
Wait, you mean we have to back up all that?
How it ended… Family portrait at the (almost top) with Thor’s Hammer off to the left.
As we were headed out, we passed the start of the Wall Street trail, which we elected to not do, as we were all pretty tired after this hike.
Ducky and Randal enjoyed some playtime after the hike.
We made it back to the Visitor Center in time to get our Hoodoo stickers!
After the hike, we took a rest day.
I’d like to speak to the manager about my milk rations….
Meagan and the kids baked cookies for a treat.
Jarek get some cuddle time with Firefly and Gambit snoozes in his favorite spot on my chair.
