After leaving Capitol Reef National Park we headed to Bryce Canyon National Park where we promptly found the best parking spot in the campground, settled in, and lost track of time.

Now, before I begin to describe Bryce I should mention our drive. We took scenic highway 12 up and over, down and through multi-colored cliffs and canyons. We passed another oasis-like campground inside a deep canyon nestled along a flowing, clear river. I saw some of the most extreme power lines of my life and the climbing, twisting road itself – all marvels of engineering. But the most unexpected part: a stop for lunch at “Hell’s Backbone Grill,” a local/organic-oriented restaurant inside a Buddhist resort. The hippie vibe and lush gardens were a refreshing break from the conservative desert areas we had been traveling through. We played with the restaurant’s adopted cat, enjoyed some tastiness, and hopped back in the RV for more scenic driving and made our way to Bryce.

Bryce Canyon National Park is unlike any place I have ever seen. It is large pine and fur trees, fine sand, looming pink limestone figures called “hoodoos,” chipmunks and look-alike ground squirrels, cliff swallows that zoom through holes in the rock, mule deer, cliffs and plateaus, lilies, desert sage, prairie dogs, a variety of startlingly blue birds (iridescent purple!), and pronghorn (who look similar to antelope and can run up to 60mph).

We did some amazing hikes – conquering the Fairyland, Rim, Queens Garden, Navajo Loop, Peekaboo Loop, and Bristlecone Loop trails. By the time we left I was feeling the effects of these steep climbs and descents in my quads. I am feeling strong! For anyone interested in moderately challenging and dynamically beautiful hikes I implore you to visit Bryce. And I suggest that you go between Monday and Thursday when the crowds are down. Check out the photos below – I think they say it all.

So, we were busy. And happily so. So much so that we lost track of how many days we were in the park. A campground sink with hot water (luxury!) enabled us to do laundry and dishes easily. And a nearby dump station for the RV made everything so much simpler.

While immersed in our campsite bliss Yair was surprised to learn that Yoni, his younger brother, was ready and wiling to take a vacation and meet us wherever we were. Within days Yoni had booked his flight and arranged to drive to us from Vegas. Yair set up a tent and, voila!, we had a guest.

Yoni was a great addition to our hikes and campfires, which he constructed and oversaw. Each night the fires got bigger and more complex until our last night which verged on becoming dangerous (which fits with his boy scout education). We hiked a lot, ate a lot, talked a lot and burned a lot of wood. It was good times. And now we are, all three, heading into Arizona to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon where I hope the trends continue.

Well, maybe not the dangerous fires.