Day two at Bryce

Hi everyone,

So first of all, it was worth waking up at 12.30am to watch the footy - we won! I slept 9.30 - 12.30 and then 4 - 8.30.

Last night, we had dinner at the hotel restaurant. I got so excited seeing proper steamed vegetables for the first time all trip at the buffet that I was willing to pay $26 US +tip +tax which ended up being around $48 Australian dollars. So to make it worthwhile I had three helpings of dinner and a chocolate soft serve. All the hiking evened that out I reckon! Rob had a brisket burger which he said was nice, and I particularly enjoyed the vegetables, salad, meatloaf and teriyaki chicken.

Once up this morning we headed to the buffet again for breakfast. Then we caught the shuttle bus to a couple of lookouts - Bryce Point and Inspiration Point. We were treated to magnificent sunny views from both. There was a trail from Bryce Point called the 'Peekaboo trail' which we had wanted to do, but it was so snowy and icy that we decided it was too dangerous. Instead, we hiked part of the rim trail from Inspiration Point. That was snowy and muddy enough for us. In some sections we had to work together holding hands and alternate one of us taking a few steps then the other. Eventually, we headed out to the main road and walked back instead of getting the bus so we could watch the prairie dogs near the road frollicking in the snow. More on them later as we went back with my camera.

We had a rest and some lunch from the supermarket in our room, and then headed to the Mossy Cave trail by car for a short 15 minute walk. This trail walked alongside the Tropic Ditch, an irrigation canal dug by Mormon pioneers in the 1892 which took two years to construct. Where possible they used natural water sources/runs. Water has run through the canal ever since except in the drought of 2002, and the canal is still an important water source for local communities. The water was very muddy today as the snow run off is so much so that it causes lots of sediment to be dragged along. We saw a waterfall and then Mossy Cave itself - a cave that is shaded from the sun due to its shape and therefore has icicles inside of it that last until June usually, as well as mossy plants growing on the walls.

Afterwards, we decided to head back to some of the meadows we had seen the prairie dogs in. We pulled our car over and watched them. They are so funny. One of them stands up on its hind legs like a meerkat when it can sense danger nearby, such as us or an eagle we saw flying overhead. They also seem to make a squeaky sort of noise when this is the case. They jump along and can move quite fast when they need to. They are pretty cute and fluffy and look like they would be soft to pat.

We then headed back to the hotel and Rob went to the gym and pool while I relaxed in the room watching some 'Grey's Anatomy'. This evening we each had a microwave meal in the room (beef pot pie and chicken pot pie) and then headed out at about 8.30pm to star gaze in the national park. The sky was stunning. The longer we stayed outside, the more glittery and beautiful it became. I tried to capture some of the stars as best I could but the mental photos I took were much better!

Tomorrow we are off to Page in Arizona, and Monument Valley. We have really enjoyed Bryce Canyon and it's more relaxed vibe compared to Zion.

Love to all
Claire
Xoxox