Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Day 8 of our 30-day Southwest Grand Circle Caravan – Travel from Mt Carmel to Bryce Canyon City Utah

Today we had to tear down and move. We only have a 70 mile trip, so we did not leave until 10 am. Hi-Road Campground was a great place to stay, because it is the closest private campground to Zion National Park. The new owner has done some improvements, but he needs to do a few more. I would stay here again, to see if the improvements have been made. When people say, location, location, location … that describes this campground to a T! I captured the last sunrise, from Zion.

We headed back south on Route 9, passing by the Zion Mountain Ranch. This is a great place to stay, if you don’t have an RV and you still want to be close to Zion. It's located about 3 miles from Zion's east entrance. They offer you six different cabin types and a variety of larger lodges are available. The Buffalo roam nearby and also appear on their dinner menu. The rustic farm-to-table restaurant offers the only gourmet dining in East Zion, and various activities, including horseback riding and fly fishing are available. Most guests are there to tour Zion and enjoy the farm fresh dining.

We traveled up and down the grades we came up and down three days ago to get to Zion. 

At Mt Carmel Junction, near the White Cliffs, we turned onto Route 89 heading north, a Utah scenic byway. 

Long before our need to travel everywhere quickly using the Interstate Roadway systems. 

Routes like 89 carried traffic through pioneer trails and wagon roads to link towns and points of interest across Utah’s southern edge and through the heart of the scenic state. This was our second time on Route 89 and I can see why it is listed as one of their scenic routes.

As we entered the town of small town of Orderville, the police were getting ready to close the roads of a parade. Hopefully, all 19 rigs will make it through before the parade starts! We are in Utah during their Pioneer Day Festivals. Never heard of it, what is it? Pioneer Day is a state holiday in Utah. It is celebrated on July 24, or on the weekend before, each year to commemorate the arrival of Brigham Young and the first group of Mormon pioneers into Utah’s Salt Lake Valley in 1847. This day celebrates the bravery of the original settlers and their strength of character and physical endurance. Later, we learned that 4 of our rigs got stopped and were able to watch the parade!

Glendale was the next small town we passed through on Route 89. Its population was listed as 375 a few years ago. However, it has two claims to fame! One is it is located central to the parks of Southern Utah, it has Zion National Park to the West; Bryce Canyon on the North East; Cedar Breaks North; and Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is just south. The second claim to fame is The Apple Festival. Glendale has always been known for their wonderful apples. The Glendale Heritage Apple Festival was started to celebrate their Pioneer Heritage and the many talents that are in this small town. Through the past 17 years it has evolved and become a celebration not just for the people of Glendale but the many talented people of the community and tourists in surrounding areas.

Along this route are the Pink Cliffs. The Pink Cliffs form the upper riser of the Grand Staircase which descends southward to the Grand Canyon in Arizona. The highway follows alongside the Virgin River to the highest point, about 7,300 feet in elevation and offers views from a summit at Long Valley Junction, looking south from Sevier towards the Sevier Canyon. North from Long Valley Junction, Route 89 descends through the valley of the Sevier River. 

Here we met State Route 12, a scenic highway that will lead us to Bryce Canyon National Park.

On the Scenic Highway 12, we went through the Red Canyon. Unique vermilion-colored rock formation and stands of Ponderosa pines make the canyon exceptionally scenic. If you want a closer look at the unique scenery, Red Canyon features an extensive trail system that provides something for every level of hiker. 

There are two red rock arches that you pass through on Hwy 12.


Our Wagon Master of the Caravan, told us to watch for the Bryce Canyon Airport and our turn would be just after that off Route 12. Good thing we spotted it!

We turned into Route 63, also known as Main Street, into Bryce Canyon City. 

Arriving at Ruby’s Inn and RV Campground. Our home for the next four nights.

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