Farewell Bryce and hello Zion

Time to say goodbye to Bryce Canyon National Park, but not before tying up a few loose ends.  I tried for more star shots.  Negative Ghost Rider the pattern is full - of clouds.  Late afternoon thunderstorms are normal for Bryce, but they usually roll in and roll out.  Last evening it rolled in and the cloud cover stayed right through the morning.  Still, you can get some nice shots of that!

Bryce Canyon obviously existed before the Mormon couple that named it and lobbied to see the lands preserved.  The Pauite Indians lived in the canyons.  Depending on which tribal member you speak to the name they gave the canyon is "red painted faces" or "red stones standing like a man in a big hole."  I find the second version more humorous.

While we bid adieu to the hoodoos it is also time to say farewell to a companion who accompanied us on many of our adventures.  My spider leg tripod, which is so convenient because of its size, succumbed to the rigors of my photographic demands.  Repair is not possible.  A small, private service preceded its journey into the recycling bin.

Now it is onto Zion.  Incidentally, Zion gets points for great night views too so we aren't done with star shots yet.  The tripod can't assist me, but my airplane neck pillow, a Christmas Gift a long time ago from Steve Baboulis, can be shaped into many forms.  In fact, that tree line shot with the blue sky was done with the "photo-pillow."

Zion gets so many visitors that the National Park Service restricts driving.  If you stay at the lodge, like we are, you get a special permit that allows you to drive into the park.  Otherwise there are shuttle buses that run very frequently.  We plan on using them too because in the center of the park only NPS vehicles can drive.  Jan booked us a very nice room.  Check out her Facebook posts for more on that.

One of the first named features that greets visitors is Checkerboard Mesa.  Quick geology review.  Mesa's are wider than taller.  Buttes are taller than wider.

Right now, it is the hottest part of the day.  People who do not stay in the park will leave shortly to deal with traffic and get to their hotels.  Once it gets towards evening it quiets down and the lighting is better for taking pictures too.  We'll be here two days.  Then to Flagstaff and then back to Phoenix.