August families transition into senior, single, and young visitors in September at Bryce Canyon National Park, my favorite time of the summer season. At least that’s usually the case before COVID, and now it’s anyone’s guess. Not yet overly busy and I’m good with that. Still weirdly wonderful.
Hoodoos in Red Canyon along SR12 Dixie National Forest
Drove to Panguitch for a couple of groceries, mostly needed dairy and fruit, and to get out of the house on the second of two days off. Not all that impressed with the town but it’s a pretty drive and only 30 minutes away.
Still working the same schedule including scheduled talks about geology, history, and wildlife. Attendance for 20 minute programs is up a bit though definitely not crowded and honoring social distancing. Even shorter unscheduled talks as questions arise are more frequent.
Caught my boss in action filling in and he hasn’t lost his enthusiastic touch one bit since I learned from him 28 years ago as my first ranger boss at Mount St. Helens.
Wallstreet side of the Navajo Loop Trail
Been getting in a lot of walking along the rim, some days clearer sky than others. In fact I’m finally back to my 2017 size 6 jeans, which by now have been given away except for a new pair I bought last winter in the hopes of loosing the 30 gained pounds.
Also work at the information plaza with other Rangers.
The door on the truckcamper has been difficult to open for a while. I always blamed it on being unlevel. Now it won’t open at all. So I went to YouTube and watched a couple videos. One suggested to compensate for the sag and fill a gap along the hinge by shimming in 1/4 inch lock washers. Which of course I don’t have. But there is a good hardware store only 15 minutes away in Tropic so will work on that over these next days off work. Of course I’m open to suggestions. Actually, I need a handy-person for several repair jobs where I lack strength, tools, know-how, and mostly ambition.
One day I spent three hours walking the rim under partly cloudy skies with marvelous light and shadows in the amphitheater.
Hoodoo grottos below Yovimpa Point
Followed by a marvelous afternoon at Rainbow Point. Though less smoke still hazy from Yovimpa but at least could see the North Kaibab this week.
Saw my first Peregrine Falcon in the park that day at Yovimpa. Visitors said they saw two at Bristlecone Point which is the view above.
After two official and three mini geology talks I walked the one-mile Bristlecone Loop trail.
On the return drive I stopped to rove a bit at the Natural Bridge overlook. This formation isn’t really a geologic bridge (formed by flowing water) but is an arch and cool looking so always attracts lots of visitors to interact with. That’s really what Ranger roving is all about.
Sadly, too many people decide to leave behind their own legacy by carving on the nearby Quaking Aspen trees.
That night after dinner, I walked down the Navajo Loop Trail a few switchbacks and maybe 200 feet to shoot the almost full moon. (That would be lower than the photo above.)
August’s Green Corn moon
Moon rise has moved northward a bit since Summer Solstice and closer to Thor’s Hammer.
Moving up and down the trail over maybe 40-50 feet I get different perspectives and foreground.
Truly a stroke of luck to see the moon through a hoodoo window. I did have to balance on my toes for that shot.
As I headed back up the trail, one last over the shoulder look gave me a moon cradled in the same windowed hoodoo. I tend to call that formation a mask, even before we’ve had to wear them.
I asked my boss about leading one of the first October full moon hikes–it’s a blue moon month. I want to elaborate on an idea from last season about balance in nature, life, and photography. I’m not going to teach photography but talk about balance and composition. Still putting this idea together.
So now I just need to survive through September at Bryce Canyon and half of October. No wonder this is my favorite time of the season, it’s toward the end. Don’t get me wrong, I love my job, for six months.
Wow!! Your pictures are just fantastic and then I got to those full moon shots. Bryce should have you put together a calendar and give you a cut of the sales.
I have to say, that for me, being a roving Ranger sounds like about the most fun job I could even imagine. Sharing what I know about such a gorgeous place sounds like heaven. I think you’re full moon talk idea sounds terrific.
How great that you are back working with your original boss who was wise enough to see the ranger in you twice.
I so understand the many things that need to be done, fixed, repaired and the lack of ambition to do it. Best of luck on your door chore.
Thanks. I would have to market myself to sell any photos and I don’t like to do that. Way more fun to just take the pics and rove among the visitors.
Wow these are just stunning photos, Gaelyn! What a beautiful area of the country. Xox
Thanks. It is gorgeous here.
Love all the photos and I agree – your full moon hike idea sounds very interesting! Congrats on the roving Ranger benefit – (trimming down). It’s great to reach goals we set for ourselves. Covid and then the blasting heat wave busted my plan. Raptors intrigue me. Floating on air currents, diving or soaring and circling high overhead. The New River Gorge in Southern West Virginia, my home state, has worked on Peregrine restoration. DDT nearly caused extinction. I have YouTubed a few things myself. Lol… Some successful. Some not so much. Good luck with the repair. Maybe the Tropic store will have an idea too!!
Thanks. Was definitely a thrill to see the Falcon. They are even recovering in some cities by nesting on tall buildings.
All the photos in this weeks post are wonderful. The moon framed in the hoodoo is really cool. I can relate to your issue of findi g a handy-person to do odd jobs.
Thanks. Wonder why it’s so hard to find a handy-person.
Once again every photo is a winner, but the moon shots have to be our favourites. We are so enjoying getting to know Bryce better and the virtual tours are amazing. What a coincidence that you have the same boss there as when you started out!!! Take care, Diane and Nigel.
Thanks. I do enjoy shooting the moon.
WOW ! all my favourite photo’s Gaelyn Thanks. The Canyon and the Hoodoos. Have a great weekend and stay safe.
Thanks. Bryce is a challenging place to shoot. Be well.
You seem to be settling in as the season comes to and end! That’s okay with all that you have been through. Love that your boss still likes doing what he is doing for 28 years, that’s great. Love reading about your roving, you are seeking people out trying teach them about they are seeing. I bet your proposed photography lesson would be great.
Take care!!
It’s a great job but there’s still routine.
Just loosen the hinge screws and put some cardboard or little pieces of wood behind the hinge and tighten it up. Simple stuff. :O) Put at least two pieces of wood to balance the hinge seat.
bob
I’m not sure what you mean but the spacers seemed to work. Thanks for the suggestion.
These are wonderful photos. I hear you about the season. I’m ready to put the garden to bed. It’s been quite a summer.
Thanks. I am rarely ready to say goodbye to summer, my favorite season, but am ready for the work season to be over.
The moon photos are wonderful. Great catch of the moon in the window. Good to hear the crowds are staying down. Sure makes it so much safer for everyone. So glad we were able to visit this beautiful area again. Hope you are able to repair your camper door.
Thanks. I got lucky with the window.