We knew we needed to do our best to include Bryce NP in this day so after absorbing the complete beauty of Capitol Reef we rode onward toward Bryce. Panguitch was our overnight spot with Kharon’s Harold’s Place Cabins as our destination. It was a tough job, this trip, and we were doing our best to document it! :nod
We did discover this beer in Utah. Loved the packaging.
Our final Capitol Reef photo
Once again we rose in elevation and as we were riding toward Escalante on Hwy 12. We found ourselves riding on an amazing ridge that skirted two deep canyons. We both shot a bunch of pix, but truly none of them do it the justice it deserves.
“Scenic Byway 12 has been designated a National Scenic Biway and an All-American Road by the Federal Highway Administration. All-American Roads have one-of-a-kind features so exceptional that they qualify as a destination unto themselves”.
The 124-Mile route runs from Panguitch on US 89 traveling eastward through Bryce Canyon, the Dixie National Forest, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, over Boulder Mountain, and ends at the Scenic Biway 24 west of Capitor Reef NP. It boasts of scenery, culture, archeology and recreational opportunities. We ran this road in the opposite direction but it was no less impressive!
Then into Bryce…
My personal favorite photo…the most photographed tree in the park, I imagine one that looks like it is about to jump!
Red Canyon on our way to Harold’s Place Inn and Cabins as we move to dusk.
The Cabin was as described by Kharon and Holly. PERFECT!
We were thrilled with our little quarters. The interior was all knotty pine and the bed and pillows comfortable.
We showered and went to dinner at the restaurant that boasted of “home cookin’” and it was amazing!! I had fresh trout with pecan/pomegranate sauce with steamed veges and Gary had pork chops. There was fresh pie for dessert. uummmm Somehow I made it home not having gained an ounce…amazing.
Loved this vantage
The restaurant (with hummingbird feeders outside the windows full of hummingbirds, whoa, i had never seen so many!)
The Inn (with Wifi)
Our day’s route
We were up early, got packed up and headed for Zion. Gary was nearing the cord on his rear tire so we knew that we also had to get to St. George to buy a new rear tire. We had a full day ahead of us.
As we neared Zion…
We went through two tunnels. One was quite long, possibly 3/4 of a mile. I find tunnels disorienting so for me this was a huge deal! I was sooooo ready to see the daylight when it finally showed up. The road was under construction as well, so when we reached the visitor center and boarded the buses into the park, it was welcomed. All but the moment before boarding the bus where I left my clip-on sunglasses in the bathroom…Figures.:scratch
I believed someone would turn them in, but no such luck. I was glad I had another pair of glasses with clip-ons to use. I have learned since glasses are imperative, that I always carry a spare pair. phew…
Wildflowers of Zion
More Zion
After a short tour, we realized we needed to haul bottom to get to St. George for the tire before closing time. The rest of the journey is a bit of a blur, but we did make it by 4ish and got the tire squared away then after much deliberation, as we were supposed to head to Panaca and connect with Randal and his wife, but a call to my dad has us heading back to the Yerington area. We overnighted in Las Vegas, though neither of us love it.:whistle
We rose to a lovely morning and made our way to Beatty, then after a rendezvous we decided that Gary needed to experience NV 266 and CA168. It’s funny, but the twistiest road out of all our mileage was close to home. Hwy 168 is a personal favorite and one that the Pashnit girly riders will be riding.
266 in Fishlake Valley
The start of 168 right before the 20 miles of delightful twisties of which i really go no photos having such a GREAT time riding.
We stopped in Bishop for lunch and went to our favorite Deli, Eric Schat’s. YUM!! We gasses up in Bridgeport and then parted ways, which is typical of us! Gary needed to get home and I needed to get to Yerington. I would overnight there then go to Carson City, then head home.
My final route, where Gary went over Monitor Pass to 88 to 89 and down Hay 50.
My dad ended up not being home…he had gone to Carson as well, so I simply kept going onward to Carson City. Not knowing where he was, I stayed with my high school and moto-pal Mike and his lovely wife. We had a great visit and then I made for home…about 19 days after my departure.
It felt GREAT to get home, but I am already planning the next outing to central OR, after all Gary has never been there! 😀
FIN OF THE GREAT SW TOUR…