In early July there was still construction on SR12 to the west so also a slight delay for my morning road trip from Bryce Canyon to Cedar City for a long day of shopping. Only the first of several incidents for the day.
Yet it’s always pretty driving through Red Canyon and their blasted-tunnel arches. Not a bad place to be stuck in construction traffic.
Plus the rest of the drive is scenic and I do like the curvy State Route 14 through a lava field, past the aspen (making note for fall color), and meadows with some flowers.
Past the Cedar Breaks National Monument turnoff, a literally cool location at almost 10,000 feet, and a tempting side trip for another time.
Then descending with a quick peak back at some hoodoos.
Through more curves surrounded by towering cliffs and some interesting looking geology.
Until many curves later and 5,000 feet lower Cedar City came into sight.
Now I’m not keen on shopping in big towns but sometimes the list gets long, so once a month I bite the bullet and then have several stops to make. Pulling into a parking lot with a huge dip knocked off part of the sewer attachment, no leakage, and I was able to retrieve the piece. Second time this has happened but this time not as serious. Then, I creamed the passenger door on a short yellow cement post and left a crease. The first mark I’ve put in this ole gal. Door still opens.
Things got better after that with a delicious Thai lunch at Sweet Basil. The best part about going to town is eating out. Oh, and fresh produce.
Finally after too many hours shopping I headed back on the pretty scenic drive with a waxing moon hanging over the landscape of Cedar Canyon.
Made a stop at the Grand Staircase viewpoint. Sadly a bit hazy (could be smoke) to see the entire 80 miles south to the Kaibab Plateau. However this is an interesting perspective of Zion’s white cliffs about 55 miles away.
Also stopped at the Navajo Lake overlook showing the lake fuller than I’ve ever seen with even the dike underwater. Appeared to be quite a few campers along the far shore.
Back past the lava flow which I’d like to spend more time exploring. But as it was getting late enough I whizzed on by. Thought about a side trip into Cedar Breaks for wildflowers but just didn’t seem like enough blooms yet. I’ve heard they are in full bloom now so may return.
I did explore a side road, maybe a piece of old SR89, I’ve been eyeballing for a while.
Runs along the Sevier River as it winds like a serpent across meadows and through fenced grazing lands with views east of the Paunsaugunt Plateau where I live, work, and play.
I always enjoy the rarity of seeing water in the Southwest.
Then back through Red Canyon, the arches, and the construction wait which gave me time to take a few photos out the truck window.
It was a long day driving two hours each direction from Bryce Canyon to Cedar City plus way too much time shopping. But Sierra seemed to approve of my thrift store purchases.
Thanks for taking us along, we both thoroughly enjoyed the trip and the red rock arch brought back a few memories. Sorry about the dip in the road and the door, these things do happen occasionally but most annoying. Glad to hear Sierra approved of the shopping trip. keep well, Diane and Nigel
Glad this brought back good memories.
Love the Sevier river description and love the conclusion with Sierra.
I am infatuated with the meanders of that river not more than 30 feet wide. Sierra lies close by today as I put on her harness in anticipation of future camping with her. She didn’t fight me but is obviously not happy.
Runs to town in that beautiful country would be looked forward to with anticipation.
Aspen_ I first visited Bryce Canyon, briefly, in 1988, and than a more extensive visit in 1989. We hiked and camped in the Under the Rim trail and was treated to so many things, but the groves/colonies of Aspen was one of the major highlights.
In a return to Bryce in 2010, I noticed that many of the Aspens were gone. I later learned from a forestry professor friend at OSU, that they had been removed for forest fire management. I knew enough about forest fire recovery to know first hand, that that was a bad idea because Aspen are some of the first plants to return and help in the recovery of burned over lands. l have since learned that the Forest Service has recognized their mistake and reversed course by replanting Aspen in Bryce and other ‘management’ affected areas, but it is unlikely I will ever see ‘in my life time’ the great groves/colonies that were once present in much of the west.
To often we know not what we do.
Thanks for the pictorial narrative of a modern trip to town for supples. Imagine that trip a hundred years ago in a farm wagon or buckboard, or horse & pack mule. A long day or overnighter for sure.
I do enjoy the drive, but not the shopping. Sometimes I do camp partway.
Us humans do tend to stir nature’s pot and screw up the recipe, then unstir by reversing the first choice. I don’t see huge groves of Aspen in Bryce. At least not like I’ve enjoyed on the North Kaibab.
Shopping is not fun, I’ve never enjoyed it. At least the drive to/from is a chance to gear-up and wind-down from the hassle. At least Sierra approves of the results 🙂
The only shopping I like is thrift stores but I really don’t need any more stuff and do have to eat. 😉
Love that you ended with a photo of Sierra! 🙂
Beautiful log of your day trip, Gaelyn. I enjoyed it, and am sorry your truck got crunched. Boo.
Thanks. I am bummed about the truck crunch yet glad it’s not any worse.
Cedar Breaks is a great place to practice your night photography. The view west at sunset is farther than I have ever seen any other place. It must be more than 100 miles. It seems to take forever for the sun to completely disappear over the horizon. If you go at noght, dress extra warm. It is very cold there.
I do remember cold nights camping at Cedar Breaks. Sadly, Bryce isn’t great for sunset. I need to get for sunrise instead.
A good day of shopping and a tasty lunch, wonderful scenery along the way.
That’s how a shopping trip should be with so far to drive.
Hi Gaelyn, I enjoyed this trip with you, so much to see of the Canyon and the Hoodoos. and other beautiful scenery. The Red Canyon Arches look spectacular. By the look of Sierra, she seems glad to be home I also hate shopping, well food shopping, but different if I am browsing in an antiques fair of course. I am so pleased you are enjoying this new job Gaelyn.
If I have to drive far to shop, it’s good to have beautiful scenery along the way. The job is great.
bummer about the truck door….I did the same thing to my truck at a gas station….that yellow post just wasn’t going to move! ha And that is what I told myself too ….glad it wasn’t any worse.
Seems I know to look for those posts at gas stations. This one, and it’s two companions, were in the middle of a parking lot. But alas, it wasn’t any worse.
Beautiful photos, as always. I’m with you on the shopping thing!
Guess I should learn to order online and just pick up.