Jackson Hole, Bryce Canyon, Zion, and Las Vegas 2012 - Day 5

Red Canyon, UT

This is turning out to be the most relaxing vacation our family has ever had.  There are naps to be taken, rest to be had, and we are getting our fill of both.  I planned this trip knowing that we needed a break from chaotic schedules, but, as is my usual style, I tried to fit too much into our itinerary.  So we made the decision to skip the Grand Canyon.  That’s a trip that will be at LEAST a 3-part episode (Brady Bunch fans will understand.)  Instead we'll spend time exploring Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park and then make our way to Vegas.  This whole, slow and easy, moseying pace could really grow on me.

This morning Chad, Jackson and I got up early and took Jessie out for a beautiful morning walk.  There was a thick layer of brown smog at the tops of the hills, from what I’ve heard are the forest fires that are plaguing the state.  I wouldn’t know since I haven’t looked at the news in 5 days.  What a great feeling.  Not the forest fire part, the being news-free-for-5-days part.

The boys went for a run on the trail that borders the campground, and I took Jessie back to the RV.  As soon as the gang was up and ready, we left Provo, stopping in Springville to have breakfast at Cracker Barrel.  I love that restaurant so much.  It might be the gift shop with all the old-fashioned packages, or the tiny glass bottles of syrup Chad, Ashley, and Kenny got with their pancakes.  The black berries in my granola parfait were some of the fattest, juiciest berries I’ve tasted, and the coffee was good.  Kenny said his pancakes were better than Baily’s Motor Inn in Olympia, and I hear that says a lot, and Leah said her sweet tea was the best tea she’s ever had.  Ali ordered grits, and when Chad took a bite of them and said “they’re kind of gritty,” we instantly made the connection.  Sometimes we’re slow on the uptake.  We all ate too much, but left full, satisfied and excited for the next leg of our journey.

We drove south and realized the red rocks we had seen yesterday were just a teaser.  The view went back to an Eastern-Washington-but-with-more –hills kind of scene, so Chad and I took a nap in the bedroom.  I slept for 2 hours.  This is so out of the ordinary for us, as usually we are talking, singing and playing games on our long drives.    

Once we turned off highway 89 onto highway 12, close to Bryce Canyon, it was as if we had left Utah and landed right in the middle of Frontierland.  The rocks were a deep red and the surrounding trees were dark green.  We hadn’t been on the highway 5 minutes before we pulled off the road and went to Red Canyon in the Dixie National Forest.  Chad and I took the dog and the kids up a steep hill to explore a bit.  Leah and Kenny stayed with Spunky in the cool RV.  The temperature was in the 100s and hiking up that hill was tough on the lungs.  And on those of us who chose to wear flip flops for the dusty, unstable hike, because we refuse to learn our lessons on the importance of proper footwear.  

The KOA in Bryce Valley, where tonight we are calling home, is surrounded by ridiculously beautiful hills.  It was 101 degrees when we set up camp.  The bathrooms are immaculate and the grounds are well-kept.  The rocks that pave the campground are dusty pink and slate grey and the bushes and trees are a soft, mossy green.  It’s easy to notice the contrast between the soft and subtle colors of nature and the harsh burning heat of the sun.  The pool provided us all with instant relief.  I’m talking teeth-chattering- full-body-goosebumps-gasping-for-air-upon-surfacing-kind of relief.

Leah didn’t spend much time at the pool with us, but she did take a running, flying leap in, and then got out just as fast.  Chad got out of the pool and helped Kenny grill our dinner.  I stayed and watched the kids and—what do you know—rested.  And read.  We ate dinner at our campsite and then headed back to the pool, where the kids made no less than 6 new friends, and I felt more at ease than I have been in a year.  Except for the tiny bug that flew into my eyeball and sent me into an epileptic fit.  During my attempt to get it out of my eye, I ground the poor thing up into a fine powder and it’s still stuck in my lower eyelid.  But other than that, I was one mellow girl.

Tomorrow morning we’re going to explore Bryce Canyon and then drive to Zion National Park.  Maybe.  Apparently plans change and I’m totally cool with that.

"I've been everywhere, man.  I've been everywhere, man.
Crossed the deserts bare, man.  I've breathed the mountain air, man.
Of travel I've had my share, man.  I've been everywhere."

- Johnny Cash

- The Niemeyers