10-10-23 7th State, a bit of heaven
Woke up this morning after a good sleep in the bunk under a cool sky. It was wonderful to see the surroundings that we had missed coming in after dark. The showers were good, the neighbours were entertaining and we finally got away. We stopped at Dennys only to meet Tina and Brooklyn coming out complaining about how bad it was so we decided to just grab beverages and fruit at a truck stop and then head out.
The first real stop was on the edge of town at Glen Canyon Dam and then further along at a lookout where we met a couple from Missouri who really liked to talk, lol. I enjoyed the conversation about Belize, but we really needed to keep moving.
We next crossed into Utah and stopped for coffee, where a lovely older gent named Gregg was a treat to buy from. I got a blueberry coffee which was a fun novelty, some eggs that included salt and pepper, a sticker for my car, and ice for the cooler. I didn’t buy the skat or poop, just thought it amusing. I was really impressed with the wheeled collection behind a motor home we saw.
Moqui Cave wasn’t far away and although I had been there before I thought Sonia would enjoy it. I spoke to the guide, the owner and it was his grandfather who originally bought the cave and his father who had given me the tour in 2014. His Dad had died two years later and now he owns it and has done a lot of work to the exterior. It was fun to explore again.
Not too far away was Coral Pink Sand Dunes Conservation Area. This was a place I have also been before but it is so peaceful and unique..
Next stop would be to see the Buffalo on our way to Zion National Park.
There was so much beauty to see, the colours and visual textures were extraordinary. We did have to wait a long time to go through the long tunnel. I wish I could have filmed it but it was dark due to no artificial lights, I was driving and I was surprised it was single lane as it was actually double lane wide. I will have to research why the change.
At last we made it to the one I think the most breathtaking, Bryce Canyon. The drive in had natural structures that appear to be people and the canyon is just unbelievable.
We parked at Sunset Point Viewing Area and within 5 minutes I was deeply engaged in conversation with a charming (delicious) man named Rich from I think he said, Bishop California or somewhere near Mammoth. I fully admit that there was so much chemistry that I did not want to leave. I should have given my card, or my number or something but I didn’t and now I can’t get him off my mind. We were comparing our home towns and I said Cranbrook had the most hours of sunshine and he said, Oh that’s why you’re so happy to which I replied, Yep I get lots of D! I of course laughed and said, well that didn’t sound right. He did give me that gift though. I recognize that I have had many moments of absolute joy this trip and it has been a long time since I laughed until I cried.
I shall manifest that our paths cross again.
We drove into Panguitch and I pulled over to check Airbnb as I have my superhost coupon to use. I found us the Dragonfly Motor Hotel which is just perfect. My cousin Kelly would have loved it. We settled our stuff in and went food seeking. It seems there were only two places open and one was very busy to even get in, the other was just busy but the food was good and that was what counts. I had to come back and run a big payroll and then I planned our route for the rest of the trip. We head to Arches tomorrow!
triumphgal 