This is our fifth road trip to the West and one thing I appreciate about each trip is that we always do a whole lot of brand new to us things and repeat lots of our very favorites. Everything we did today was done in 2016 and I’d happily repeat it all next year.
We started the day off at the Thunderbird Restaurant, home of the ho-made pies. There is no doubt that the sign caught our eye last time and intrigued us enough to consider a special breakfast out. (It’s a lucky day to get more than a Clif bar these summer days.) Two years ago Zak and Ellie ordered a biscuit and gravy concoction with eggs, cheese, and sausage. I have no idea what I ordered, but know I have regretted not ordering what they did every single day since. Needless to say, breakfast was insane. We all went with the half order and, still, I could only eat half. Best breakfast ever and the strong woman who ran the business for decades was a bad ass. Want to know why they are the home of ho-made pies? When they got the sign made in the 50’s they had a limited room on their sign and had to reduce the number of letters. Ho didn’t mean what it does these days so they went with it. The original sign still stands and they’ve done some creative marketing with the new meaning of the word.
After our early breakfast we made the hour and half drive to Bryce. I was afraid we would be getting too late of a start and the crowds would be out of control, but that couldn’t have been further from the truth. I was shocked at the lack of people on the beautiful 75* morning.
We began at the Sunrise Point observation station and were admiring the hoodoos from above. I overheard a couple tell one another that hiking down into them wouldn’t be worth it. We could see everything from above. This was our third time doing the hike, but I still stopped and questioned myself. Could it really get better than this? I couldn’t remember and this sight did take my breath away a bit.
We started the hike down and I immediately remembered the feeling of actually being surrounded by the hoodoos. There isn’t anything else like it. Each switchback, bend, and curve provided even more spectacular views. Although we had done this 7.5 mile hike two other times, that didn’t stop us from taking hundreds of photos. It was simply that beautiful. That couple from the observation point was wrong.
Being among these most fantastic rock formations kind of felt like coming home. Our first visit in 2010, with a 4 and 2 year old (who needed a leash buddy to not run off the edge) was what whet our palate for these road trips. Zak and I knew we wanted more than a rim trail. We wanted to be down there. In there. Where all the amazing things happen. And we’ve made it work. Our goals have been met.
After the strenuous hike, all of which was uphill or downhill, there is zero flat on this one, we rewarded ourselves with a fancy lunch at the Bryce Lodge. Two awesome meals in one day!!! The food was great, and as exhausted as we all were, the company was delightful. We laughed a lot. People actually started to look at us. Judging or jealous??
The past two days have been a lot. We’ve hiked over 20 miles in terrain we’re not totally accustomed to. We’ve encountered blisters, bloody feet and noses, incredibly sore muscles, a bit of sunburn, and persistent bruised toenails. But I wouldn’t trade the pain or memories in for anything. We’ve connected with two of the most sacred places in America. And to think, we’re not quite halfway done with rtxviii.
Right now, we’re settled into the Bryce Canyon Log Cabins. I’m on the porch with a nice rose out of a can. There is a herd of sheep in the pasture next to me. The sun is about to set over the mountains in front of me. I’ve attempted to converse with the lovely French families in the log cabins next to ours. I can’t think of a time I’ve been happier.
