When I rolled into the parking lot on the Southern Paiute and Pueblo land, Crystal and Max were ready and waiting. We embraced each other in a warm hug, happy to be together again. Happy to have company on the road.
While it was late afternoon, we made time for a short hike, the red cliffs calling our name. I had snuck a few peaks on my drive in, and was eager to see more. The rust red rock and green pines along the rim set the stage for a perfect Christmas backdrop. And in many ways it felt like Christmas – the colors, the excitement to see a new place, the pleasure of being with people you enjoy, the gift of another beautiful day.
We headed out on the South Rim Trail to Spectra Viewpoint, a relatively easy walk. The sun was slowly setting, and the clouds were puffy and white, creating beautiful shadows on the red cliffs. In places the rock was painted in various hues, transitioning from white to pink to red, sometimes even a dash of yellow. As we approached the scenic viewpoint, we passed a few more magnificent Bristlecone pines, holding on tight to the rocky, sandy soil.
Out on the point, the wind whipped around, but didn’t detract from the stunning view. Glowing red in the forefront, black green in the background where the cedars took over the hills. The cliffs were eroded into various triangles, some full hoodoos down in the valley. It was hard to take your eyes off of the beauty.
Eventually we did return to the cars, camping spots needed to be found and dinner cooked. We drove just outside the park to a dispersed camping spot in the woods, and had the place all to ourselves. We watched the sky turn pale pink over the trees, had important life chats around the fire, and enjoyed a slumber party in the van with the top popped. A great first day of our reunion.
The next day our goal was to head to Southern Utah, to enjoy all Kanab had to offer, but first a few more glimpses of Cedar Breaks. We drove to several viewpoints, each more stunning than the last. I’ll never get tired of the vibrant colors Mother Nature shares with us.
When we had our fill, we hit the road going south to continue our day and adventure!
Tonelli's Travels 