There are some exceptional camping spots in southern Utah. The sky is clear and dark, and they’re conveniently located—Bryce Canyon was fifteen minutes away. The bitter autumn wind tugged at my cheeks as I popped into the visitor center. Too early to hike. I took the scenic drive instead, which was rather commonplace. All I saw were golden aspens, lush pines, and thirty-mile views with the stately Aquarius Plateau standing guard on the horizon. Such a drive is normal here.
I returned to the canyon itself and was instantly rewarded. Bryce Canyon is home to the world’s largest collection of hoodoos—tall rock spires anywhere from 6 to 100 feet tall. The park’s hoodoos are part of the Pink Cliffs and are brilliant red, orange, and white. While the Grand Canyon is simply too grand for human comprehension, this formation is an exquisite blend of size and detail. I spent a full half hour looking and investigating, caught up in the strangeness and mystery of the hoodoos.
I’ll enter the canyon tomorrow; the afternoon today was for chores and phone calls. One of my primary goals for this trip is to improve at being present in the moment, so I try to arrange my “home time” on Mondays. That way, I can spend six days a week fully immersed in my trip, and the seventh with friends and family. It was a perfect day to sit and talk, sitting in the mid-60s with only the slightest breeze. Cold mornings make for lovely days.
Beautiful picture of Bryce Canyon.
Thanks for educating me about “hoodoos.” I knew NOTHING about them before.
Glad you’re trying to organize things so you can “be in the moment” and find the peace within. That’s really important.
The late legendary conductor, Sergiu Celibidache, felt that all music should be a “meditation” — it should come from within and communicate to “within.” That’s a really cool way of looking at it. Enjoy finding the music “within” in such peaceful surroundings.
Great picture of Bryce Canyon. Good to know your weather is perfect for enjoying this beautiful and interesting place. You will enjoy hiking in the canyon among the hoodoos. I took many pictures there, of course. We went there twice. The first time the altitude was bothering Jeff so we did not do any hiking. The second time, several years later, we were able to hike the canyon floor. It was this time of year; I remember the yellow leaved aspens all around. I am so glad you are there enjoying it all! Love, Grandma