As we headed west on I 70, we were struck by the beauty of the stark landscape. Along this section of I 70 there are a number of scenic view pull-outs for tourists to enjoy the scenery and take photos. There were breath taking views at the San Rafael Reef. Before I 70 construction, the slot canyon, called San Rafael Swell, was so narrow you could touch both sides of the canyon. The swell was blasted wider to build I 70.

The scenery and geologic formations, hodoos (tall, thin spires of stone formed by erosion and frequently capped with harder rock on top) and amphitheaters (bowl shaped hollow formed in mountainside) in Bryce Canyon are spectacular and defy description.

Depending on the season, the Paiutes hunted and camped in this area. They were moved out by settlers. In 1875, a Scottish immigrant, Ebenezer Bryce, joined others settling in the area. To access timber, he built a road that ended in an area of pink cliffs called an amphitheater. The local settlers called it Bryce’s Canyon and the name stuck.

J. W. Humphreys was a US Forest Service Supervisor who was instrumental in Bryce Canyon being declared Natl Monument 1923 and then in 1928 Natl Park.

Tomorrow morning, we head to Zion National Park which is just a short distance from Bryce Canyon. We are hoping to camp out there for a couple of nights, but we’ll see what happens.