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.