Bryce Canyon - A Picnic for the Photographer's Eye

"Pink Cliffs Rising" ©Mary Montague Sikes

Bryce Canyon is a truly exotic destination. The glowing pinnacles rise up from the canyon providing a picnic for the photographer's eye. When viewed from atop the rim, the scene becomes a wonderland of magic.

Our daughter arranged (a year in advance) for us to stay at the Lodge at Bryce Canyon, and it was a wonderful choice. The original building, designed in the 1920s by architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood, has been restored and is a National Historic Landmark and is on the National Registry of Historic Places. The furnishings in the lobby were commissioned to replicate the original hickory furniture. The food in the Lodge dining room was good but pricier than that at Zion Lodge. However, it was convenient to be able to dine at facilities near the rim of the canyon. A guide book says visitors can see 60 million years of geologic history in the amazing formations. We were impressed with the wide walkway that edges the canyon with benches along the Rim Trail. However, there were no guardrails.

"Lodge at Bryce Canyon Lobby" ©Mary Montague Sikes

We used the shuttle to go to several of the lookouts. The elevation at Bryce is well over 8000 feet. At the nearby Agua Canyon overlook, it is 8800 feet. Since this is double the altitude at Zion, we never quite
adjusted during the shorter stay at Bryce.    

As I look at my notes and photographs, I'm already longing to return to the Utah National Parks. There are so many things we did not visit or get to see. It is truly the place for photographers, both amateur and professional.

"Natural Bridge" ©Mary Montague Sikes

"Agua Canyon Sign" ©Mary Montague Sikes

"B" is for Bryce Canyon National Park

As soon as I saw an image of Bryce Canyon National Park, I knew it had to be on my bucket list of places to visit. The reds and oranges of the hoodoos drew me in. What artist would not want to go there, camera in hand with visions of paintings yet to come? The hoodoos are actually spires of rock carved by wild winds of erosion. How glorious the scenery there must be.

We were within 50 miles of the park when we visited Antelope Canyon two years ago. At least, I think we were that close. From the map, it appears the roads are more remote than those we traveled to the Grand Canyon. Bryce has fewer visitors than the other parks in the area.

"Is There Hope?" ©Mary Montague Sikes

Mormon settlers came to the Bryce Canyon area in the 1850s. It's named for a homesteader, Ebenezer Bryce, who arrived in 1874. Bryce Canyon isn't a canyon at all but is a series of natural amphitheaters on the eastern side of a plateau. It's elevation varies from 8,000 to 9,000 feet.

All those travelers who enjoy unforgettable scenery will want to put Bryce Canyon National Park on your bucket list as well. Hundreds of photo ops await you.





(Since I've never been there, I have no photographs of my own from Bryce Canyon National Park. When I tried to use ones listed as free on the Internet, I had problems with my blog format and the photo disappeared. Because I wanted art with my post, I decided instead to use an Antelope Canyon photo from my files.)

Insecure Writers Support Group Post

Sometimes you reach a point with your writing where you wonder if you will ever be able to finish the book you're working on. That often happens to me when I reach the sagging middle.

I'm there right now.

What I've decided to do is to take a deep breath and meditate for a few minutes each day before I start to work on the project. I have a painting created for my meditation moments and I will use that to gain focus.

Do you have sagging middle moments? What do you do?