Park 9: Bryce Canyon National Park, UT:  Cinco de Mayo was celebrated with a 6:29am sunrise over Bryce Canyon (along with a bus load of Japanese photographers!), an 8 mile/4 hour horseback ride into the Canyon to experience the “hoodoos” up close and personal, a ranger led full moon hike along the rim under the “super moon” of 2012, and chips, guacamole, and wine! L  Sometimes travelers can’t be picky about the Happy Hour libation!

Sunrise in Amphitheater of Bryce

The sunrise was cold (34 degrees) and spectacular, not as it rose over the distant mountains, but as it hit the Bryce Canyon Amphitheater and began casting its light on the” hoodoos” and canyon walls; that’s the sight that draws the photographers.   Afterwards, we drove straight to the Visitor Center to get in line to be one of the lucky 60 people to get tickets for the full moon hike; there was already a line at 7:00 for the center that opens at 8:00!  The tour was free, but you had to prove you had hiking boots with lugs.   Of course, John did, but we had to drive to Ruby’s General Store just outside the park last night to find Peg her “proper” footwear! 

Our Western Cabin at Bryce Lodge

We moved from the Bryce Canyon Lodge to the Lodge “Western cabins” later in the morning where we spent the next two nights.  These timbered cabins were built in the ‘20s along with the Lodge and are very charming with stone fireplaces and front porches.   

Trail Ride into Bryce Canyon

The afternoon was spent on horses, or for us city folk, mules named Blondie and Donna.  The ride was incredible, albeit frightening at first, and certainly beat walking up and down the steep canyon paths! Even though it’s more rocks, carved by years of erosion, the colors and shapes of the rock formations are breathtaking.  Each turn of the trail had us saying “wow” again and again, when we weren’t saying “Please God, let this dumb mule make the turn!”  

Hoodoos of Bryce Canyon

Mule's Eye View of Bryce Canyon

Moonrise over "Hoodoos"

First Glimpse of 2012 "Super Moon"

Our second day was more relaxed.  We drove and hiked the rest of this awesome park. Sunday evening, we dined at the Lodge with a couple from Denver we met while in line for the full moon hike!  Tomorrow on to Zion National Park and tent camping, so you won’t hear from us for a few days.