Capitol Reef National Park

We stayed just ahead of the storm driving the scenic route from Bryce Canyon to Capitol Reef. We arrived at the Red Sands Hotel just As the rain started to really fall.

We checked in and checked out the wine and cheese reception (a box of Franzia and some cheese cubes, but it's the thought that counts.) The hotel is locally owned and everyone here is happy to provide anything you might need from recommendations to reservations.

We were directed to the Red Rock Restaurant for dinner. You'll need reservations but can make them same day. I had a delicious grilled trout while J had the BBQ Ribs - both were excellent. H slept quietly in his car seat long enough for us to enjoy the homemade ice cream sandwich for desert. By the time we were done with dinner the rain had passed and dusted the surrounding mountains with snow. We headed back to our hotel for an early bed time.

We were up bright an early this morning to head over to the General Store in Torrey. The place was full of locals getting their morning coffee and chatting about life in Torrey. We picked up sandwiches - which they happily packed for hiking (wet ingredients in a separate bags) and headed in Capitol Reef National Park.

A quick stop at the ranger station to see the introduction video, which was unfortunately broken, but we spent the time chatting with the whole team of rangers about our plan for the day. From the rangers station we drove all the way down the scenic drive to Capitol Gorge where a maintained dirt road takes you to a trail head. We loaded H into the Ergo and hiked less than a mile into the gorge to see the registry - a list of names carved into the walls of all the travelers that passed through. After the quick hike back we headed back down the scenic drive, taking a quick detour into the Grand Wash.

In the Fruita Historic District there is a beautiful picnic area complete with grazing deer. We spent an hour or two enjoying our lunch and walking around the historic district. This place has an amazing camp ground nestled in the fruit trees. If you are here at a different time of year you can actually pick fruit right from the trees - unfortunately nothing was ready today. The Gifford Farm house sells delicious looking fruit pies and other treats (come early because they do sell out) and crafts. There is also a small (two rooms) farm house you can walk through. We took a small river walk down the Fremont River and found some animal tracks and more orchards.

Back on the park road we took the right fork (we came from Torrey to the left) passing by the old school house (open seasonally), more petroglyphs  and finally a one mile hike to Hickman Bridge, a natural bridge you can walk under. A warning - the trail guide rates it "medium" - the hike is quite steep the whole way. We made it to the bridge but the whole family was getting hot so we made a quick retreat to get out of the sun. We did make one final stop at Panorama Point to survey all we had done - then H had a colossal poop that sent us back to the hotel for bath time.

Tomorrow we get an early start and head to Arches National Park!

Bryce Canyon National Park

"Your so brave," a middle aged lady commented as we loaded H into the Ergo in the Bryce Canyon Lodge parking lot. "We never even left the house until our littlest was five."

We learned several things today. First, people think we are completely nuts for bringing a five-week old to a national park. Second, everyone over the age of 60 wants to meet H, guess his age and/or weight and tell us about travels with their kids. Third, with a little patience and a sense of humor, anything is possible.

Bryce Canyon was hosting its annual astronomy festival, making it more crowded than your typical Thursday in May. It also meant more activities and rangers.

We started our visit by picking up H his own National Park passport book at the visitors center and watching the 22 min overview video. There is a shuttle that runs into the park, but you can't leave your car at the visitors center, so we drove to the lodge to park. (You could also park in the lot on Bryce Canyon City and ride into the park.)

From the lodge, we loaded H into the Ergo carrier and walked along the rim trail. We opted not to hike into the canyon with the little one, due to the steep grade of the trails. The Rim trail was mostly flat and afforded changing views of the canyon. We hiked from sunset to sunrise point and back.

We decided to hit the lodge early for dinner, a smart move since the dinner crowd peeks around 7. The food at the lodge was excellent! J enjoyed river trout, while I had mini crab cakes and a beet and arugula salad. Whatever you do, save room for dessert - the chocolate mouse pie was delicious.

After dinner, we walked from the lodge back to the rim to watch the changing colors of the canyon at sunset. Then it was off to one of the astronomical festival presentation by one of Bryce's "dark rangers." We chose a presentation on the moon that was fascinating and provided info on Sunday's solar eclipse. After the hour long presentation, there were shuttles waiting to drive everyone out to the viewing locations where volunteers had telescopes set up. This is where we bailed - typically this is our type of activity, but H was getting snoozy, and so was I (having a 5 week old will do that!)

Bryce is known for being one of the places you can see the Andromeda galaxy with your naked eye - but clouds were starting to roll in. Even when the astronomical festival is not going on, Bryce offers star gazing programming most nights in the summer. Just ask at the ranger station.

There are not a lot of lodging options and we had reservations at a little place outside the park. The Bryce Canyon Pines Motel may have a few letters burned out on their sign, but it was clean and the staff was friendly. We were upgraded to a cabin behind the restaurant, which gave us plenty of room. The next morning we enjoyed breakfast at the attached restaurant and headed back into the park.

We drove all the way down the park road to rainbow point - the highest elevation in the park and then worked our way back hitting all the pull offs and enjoying short walks to the rim. Our favorite stop was Natural Bridge! Then the rain started, so we headed out of the park, picked up sandwiches at the Subway and took them to Moss Cave and Waterfall for a short hike and car picnic. The waterfall runs year round - although our May visit meant lots of water. The cave and falls are on park lands but are outside the gates. Just as we were finishing lunch, the rain found us again so we packed everything back up and hit the road headed for Capitol Reef National Park by route of the Scenic Byway.

Happy Trails...

I never thought I would say it - I'm sad to be leaving Edwards, AFB. When we arrived here four years ago, I felt like I had been stranded on a desert island. I had no idea that Edwards would be the launching point for so many adventures and friendships.

I can't imagine my life without the ladies of 08B, the 461st Spouses or the lovely ladies of the EOSC- I am truly a better wife, mother and friend because of all of you! Thank you for the memories, smiles, laughs and tears, they will be cherished for years to come (and retold with some artistic license.)

Since we Air Force wives never say "Goodbye" I'll just say "See You Later" (because all roads lead to Edwards ;) haha). Our guest room is always open!

We came to Edwards as a family of two and are leaving as a family of three but, our traveling adventures are not over - we just have a new launching point!

Stay tuned for more crazy adventures - this time with a baby!