Fall is a wonderful time to visit the national parks, so we were eager to load up Howie (our home on wheels) and set off on a new adventure.  Although we visited Zion last year, we decided to return and add a few new places to the itinerary.  Southern Utah has so much to offer, there’s always more to explore.

After hiking some new trails in Zion, we headed to Bryce Canyon National Park. Wow! What a breathtaking location. The park is known for the beautiful “hoodoos” that line the horizon in glorious shades of pink and orange. Don’t know what a hoodoo is? Nope, I didn’t either. They are tall, thin rock formations that are created by erosion. Each one takes approximately a million years to form and they have unique etchings created by the elements. According to the park website, the word hoodoo means “bewitching” which fits these formations perfectly.

Our first hike to the Queen’s Garden was my favorite. We started at the rim of Sunrise Point and descended 320 feet. It was a fairly easy trek (except for the climb back up). Along the way, we passed incredible vistas, walked through sunlit arches, and enjoyed the light rain that was falling throughout the day. The trail is called the Queen’s Garden because there is a hoodoo that looks like a silhouette of Queen Victoria (it takes a bit of imagination to see it). While this hike is only about a mile long, it does not loop back to the top so we combined it with the Navajo trail and exited at Sunset Point. It was an incredible day and one of the best trails I’ve ever experienced.  

One of the things that I found inspirational (besides the gorgeous views) was the number of seniors who were enjoying the park. There were several with mobility issues (including one with a leg cast) who refused to let physical challenges get in their way. Some used canes, others walking sticks, and some relied on the assistance of friends and family. They took their time, moved at their own pace, and embraced the wonders of nature. What a perfect way to nurture mind, body, and soul!

The following day, we hiked the Peekaboo trail which was a bit more strenuous due to the rapid decline to the bottom of the canyon floor. It was about a five-mile loop with continuous ups and downs. It’s also a horse trail so we saw large groups of riders throughout the day. Apparently, it’s named Peekaboo because there is something wonderful to see around each corner. And there was. Much like Queen’s Garden, the hoodoos, arches, and majestic horizons were amazing.

Our final day in Bryce Canyon was spent driving the park and stopping at various vistas.  If hiking isn’t your thing, this is the way to go.  Each stop provides a different perspective of the park. One moment we were admiring an archway surrounded by fall leaves, and the next, discovered an area dark and barren from a recent fire. This contrast provided a greater appreciation for the vastness and diversity of the park.

The time flew by so quickly and soon it was time to head home. We made one final stop at Kanab which is located just north of the Arizona state line. It was a short visit but provided some time to explore caves, visit the Coral Sand Dunes, and take a day trip to the Grand Canyon- North Rim.

Yep, the Grand Canyon. I’ve never been before and was delighted to visit another national park. Even the drive was lovely with wide open pastures, autumn foliage, and wildlife. We encountered a deer family, as well as a herd of cattle crossing the road (something we don’t see in San Diego).  And, the canyon was simply magnificent. It rained later in the afternoon which resulted in incredible rainbows.

Overall, the trip was everything we hoped. But, as much as I love traveling, I start feeling homesick after a few weeks- missing the kids and my pup. We’re not sure where Howie will take us next, but definitely look forward to visiting another national park.