A rare success story, we had a good breakfast at Carrows restaurant on the motel six grounds, very early as sleep was out due to jet lag, then dad and I found this radio ham shop selling the world famous maha battery charger. Aerials galore they even asked dad what his call sign was! Las Vegas looks different, a Mickey mouse clip joint. Surface glitz but no substance. We then voyaged out on the I-15 for a journey of scintillating boredom, we did stop for a meal at Denny's in St George and a Kmart where dad and I both got the same discounted sandals, girls riding round inside the store on motorcycles and scooters. That was the last decent meal, we took ages to get to Panguitch, mum was worried for her lenses, and we found nowhere good to eat. The Best Western was haphazard, the old guy didn't really have our reservations. Supper was hot noodles soup and biscuits!
Bryce Canyon is an incredible place - the scale is truly big like BIG, the place stretches out of sight. The rock (and there is plenty of it) is multi-coloured thanks to different geological ages. In many places pillars of stone rise skyward. These 'hoodoos' have been sculpted by nature into fantastical shapes. At times you could believe you were seeing the ruins of ancient temples, or Ozymandias's summer palace.
Also incredible there is the heat (up in the 100 degrees Fahrenheit and beyond.) At least it is dry unlike Florida which was humid. Florida felt as uncomfortable despite being 20 degrees cooler. Life adapts. With the aid of air conditioning. Chipmunks and birds have learnt to hide out inside vehicle grilles.
We had a burger at Ruby's inn just outside the park, just hoping we can eat better tomorrow. Dad sent his burger back as it wasn't hot.
Cedar Breaks was awesome like Bryce but quite different. It is a vast cleft in the Earth. You're a long way up in the world and it was quite cool even in June (in winter it's snowbound.) Cedar Breaks suffers from constant erosion (4 foot a century) being on a different side to Bryce. You don't get the rock sculptures but it is a great place if you want to see geology in action. Bristlecone pines on the edge, colours streaking around the walls of vast ancient ruined temples.
We also visited Kolob Canyon where Forests lurk in inaccessible canyons. At least Dad did a sketch at Kolob. I tried photographing butterflies at Kolob but failed dismally, haven't mastered it focusing by a long chalk yet.
A remarkable lunchtime at Applebee's close to a giant Walmart, where staff wear T-shirts saying how can I help you on the back, Some live up to that! In Applebee's again staff come over as going for it. They set a timer for 14 minutes, late its free. Twice a military file of clapping waitresses marched to surround a table, 1 2 3, then a birthday ditty. Mechanical ritual yes but heartfelt and sincere? I'm both attracted and repelled.
At Zion Canyon you have to use the bus to get around as you're not supposed to drive in unlike Bryce. There is a trade-off between enabling people to see nature and preserving nature. We weren't able to do the trails in Zion (the heat was oppressive for one thing.) I did walk to see Weeping Rock where in the midst of barren dryness water falls down like rain. Courtesy of the rock here being porous and holding masses of water.
A blazingly hot day, when we got back to the car I virtually scalded myself on it! Riding the buses wasn't so much fun, a little like the Pool of Siloam as you waited in the shade then when one came it was a disorderly rush with fittest winning, we rode at one unfortunate moment with a gospel choir and a dysfunctional family where Jr was waving a knife around. Ate not badly at Zion lodge, nice stuff I had Navajo fried bread which was good.
A tiring drive to Las Vegas. There were some clouds but still the heat was oppressive. As we were in too good time we found a book store, noticed there is a new Jack Chalker book I can order. We did take in Pipe Springs National Monument which turned out to be a Mormon shrine. The guide berated government persecution of the Mormons for polygamy, extolled the Mormon church's pursuit of profit and power, their heaven on Earth? Uncomfortable being there, we passed through Colorado City which we were told was a polygamist town.