It rained relatively last night, at Panguitch (big fish) our first weather. The local rainfall is about 15" with most falling in several downpours. It can fall some distance away, say 50 mile and make its way down the slot canyons with some rapidity making bush walking in such conditions a bit risky. Still with a average of 300 sunny days a year catching some rain must be lucky.
One cannot believe either the amount of people here or the number of languages one hears. A lot of French, Germans, Russians, Asians and others we cannot identify. But the land is huge, the system organised and everyone is happy!
Rain began to fall again as when we entered Bryce, but it is a small park made so it was easy to make our way to the south rim, sunset rim and ventured down into the Canyon among the Lumber pines and Hoodoos. Dr Suess must have been inspired from this landscape, the colours and the shapes. The way these pillars of sandstone adorned with multi coloured rings, each varying in height, shape and size.
We wandered down hill thru the queens garden and back up as heavy rain set in. These Hoodoos are formed by extreme cold freezing and thawing, appear very soft. The well trodden path that meandered and cut thru these forest of pillars began to move. The top layer of clay began to firstly stick to the travellers feet, then to create a platform of which to slide on. Next a small clay soaked river appeared on the path as it hurried to gaining momentum flowing for some distance before exiting cascading over the edge heading to the valley floor.
We travelled further thru the Dixie National forest which went of for most of the arvo.
This part of the world is spectacular, it's huge never ending vistas that rise up and present colours, shapes and formations that it cannot all betaken in!
Wanting more we headed north east on to Escallante and then took a byroad recommended by the local visitors centre to see a small slot canyon. The multi formations colours and shapes are of the rock are amazing. Continued on to a vantage point as to watch a distant storm with the L & D crew.
The ruggedness of the canyons eventually gave way to alpine forests.
Over the pass at 9600', stopped and chatted to some folk from Kansas.
On the way to Torrey, again fantastic scenery, stunning views.
These towns are small but it's always is easy to find a bed for about $70 inc. a meagre breakfast.
After hearing an article on drink driving on the radio and having a sherif sitting in his car outside the motel so after driving our looking for a dinner spot decided to return and walk only to realise the next day that the sherif was a well placed dummy!
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