Day 20 - Bryce and more

We set off East today and our first stop was at Cedar Breaks National Monument (see photo 1), a dramatic canyon overlook of red rock, quite impressive. We then continued East to Bryce Canyon National Park where we took the shuttle bus around the site, stopping off at the Visitor Center to see a brief film about the park and its history. We also stopped off at the canyon overlook shown in photo 2. There were people hiking down into the canyon - younger and fitter than we are : it was hot, there was no shade and the only way back up is to walk. We returned on the shuttle to the pick up point at Rubys Inn and looked round a rock shop before going on our way again. Continued along the very scenic route (Route 12) to Torrey, on the way driving along hogback ridge (photo 3), dramatic drop-offs on either side. Along this road there was also a good photo op. on top of Boulder Mountain(photo 4) for expansive views of the country all around - including our first very distant view of Navajo Mountain. (The photo cannot really do it justice.) Fortunately we had booked our motel ahead (first time this holiday) on the internet this morning - it was full by the time we arrived, the clerk was trying to arrange local accommodation for some walk-ins with not a lot of success. As we are not going to be near any interstates soon, where we can always find accommodation, we have now booked in for tomorrow night at Blanding in advance.