Day 19 Friday May 24: Part 1 Bryce Wildlife Adventure!

With each of our adventures on this trip, we say “Nothing can top this!” Well, our ATV excursion has got to be one of the top 2-3 experiences. When I made the reservations, I wanted to pick an activity that Thomas and I could do together, that we had never done before and where we could experience a wilderness area. This scored a perfect 10 on all counts.

Here we are: Old farts on the Arctic Cat ATV!

Being a horse person, I have never had much use for off road motorized vehicles preferring peace and quiet and a slower pace. However, this adventure proved me wrong. The Arctic Cat was much quieter than expected with very comfortable seating, especially since Thomas was driving. We were able to see extraordinary terrain and wildlife that would take hours longer on foot or by horse and would be completely inaccessible by regular roads.

This pronghorn antelope stag gave us our first wildlife viewing:

Followed by yet another stag:

Our dirt road took us through the high desert countryside:

And another pronghorn, a pretty doe this time:

Then on to the view from the top: no words are needed here!

Back from the top, more terrain diversity:

And more antelope:

Past a beautiful small river:

And red rock hoodoos:

Arriving at a peaceful lake:

Then back up to the top on this trail:

More views from the top:

By the way, the air up here (9000+ feet) is absolutely incredible; like breathing pure oxygen. I have never experienced anything like it – could not get enough. At the very top are these exceptional bristle cone pine trees:

Then this awesome view:

And the road back down!

All total the elevation change was 1468 feet: Ground level at start: 7717  Highest point: 9185

On the way back, we happened upon a wonderful herd of pronghorn. We stopped, were very still and they walked right by us: what a treat!

We had signed up for the 3 hour tour and ended up extending to 5 hours! If you are ever in the Bryce Canyon area, we both heartily recommend this. Contact info: Bryce Wildlife Adventures 1945 W Scenic Hwy 12 Bryce UT 84764  (435) 834-5555     www.brycewildlifeadventure.com

Day 18 Thursday May 23: Jacob Lake AZ – Bryce Canyon UT  

This being a short travel day, we decided to add a beer run. The proprietor of the liquor store in Page AZ told us about the Wasatch Brewery in Utah and named 2 varieties we had to try. Unfortunately, he was having trouble with the distributor and didn’t have in, but suggested we try a package store near Pipe Springs AZ. Note: Being a Mormon state, you can’t buy much beer in Utah and then only 3.2% alcohol content.

Ever aspiring to “be prepared,” I made great use of my iphone5 and located 3 possible establishments on route in Fredonia AZ. We called ahead and had luck at Judd’s Automotive Service.  Their slogan: “Lotto * Guns * Ammo * Beer”: all undoubtedly staples in this part of the country.

The Wasatch Brewery really does outstanding package marketing (+ @ 6% alcohol content). We left with a supply of Polygamy Porter (why have just one!); its label features a bearded man surrounded by several women, all in a state of classic Greek statue-style undress:

We also selected their Devastator Double Rock Lager and Ghostrider White India Pale Ale: Another cool label with cowboy on pale horse against desert backdrop and description: “Legend has it the Ghostrider roams the high desert seeking revenge on those who stole his recipe for the perfect IPA… we might be in trouble.”  

All in all, one of our best beer runs ever; even the store manager wants to come to the beer party!

Again, we experienced another day with major terrain changes. Our campsite at Jacob Lake had an elevation of 7925 feet in a dense Ponderosa Pine forest. Descending the mountain on a 6% grade most of the way we reached an altitude of 5902 feet at the base; a descent of 2000+ feet in about 500 yards of travel, Tom estimates. The altitude at Fredonia is 4683 feet, back in Arizona red rock.

As we crossed over into Utah, the terrain change continued. Green grass appeared:

Then forested hills:

And lovely river valleys:

I can see why the early Mormon settlers were so taken with this land.

Then back to the scrub brush, sage and red hills of the Bryce Canyon area:

 

Oh no!! Will we fit through the tunnel??

 

We did, and arrived at the Bryce Canyon Pines RV Park, got settled in and prepared for our big Bryce Canyon ATV Wildlife Adventure scheduled for 9AM Friday morning!

Day 17 Wednesday May 22: Grand Canyon National Park, North Rim

Blogger Note: Between lack of time and no or poor internet, I am way behind on publishing the blog. It is now Day 56, June 30. Because Glacier National Park was so incredible, we decided to expand the trip and will now be home @ July 12. Writing this at the Lincoln Road RV Park in Helena, MT: we’re supposed to be fishing the Missouri but Thomas’ knee is acting up, I’m a bit puny myself, the river is way mossy, it’s hot (@92) and the fish aren’t biting; fished some last evening – beautiful river – more on that in turn. At any rate do have some time for blogging today so will take you back a few weeks to the Grand Canyon:

The 45 mile drive to the Grand Canyon takes you through the Ponderosa forests with budding Aspen trees lined with beautiful grassy valleys. We kept expecting Ben, Adam, Hoss and Little Joe from Bonanza to come riding up!

The Grand Canyon definitely lives up to its name! Impossible to photograph in its entirety, you have to be content with small vignettes. When pieced together you get some idea of the vast area and diversity of this amazing place:

Being a very windy day, picture taking was interesting, especially on the lookout points with wind gusts 50+ mph. The wind also blew up dust which made images hazy:

I couldn’t resist a few “neat plant” photos:

We decided to not even try to picnic and opted for a very nice lunch inside the historic dining lodge.

Thomas decided this was his very favorite place so here he is for posterity:

 

Bird of the Day – this saucy Raven:

On the way back, we passed part of the resident Bison herd.

 

This little guy kept us entertained for at least 20 minutes running around and around and harassing his sibling:

Rolling in the dirt:

All tuckered out: