From the top of our second overlook, we drove down the canyon highway, parked, and prepared ourselves for the adventure that lay ahead of us. I knew we were going for a long hike, but I didn't realize exactly how arduous this trek would be. Along the trails, we kept asking folks where this elusive waterfall was, and how much further we'd have to hike. Continuously we received confusing and different answers from the hikers. We ran into so many little kids, just hiking without chaperones, which baffled me. Frustratingly, I ended up running out of water halfway through the hike to the waterfall, but we pushed on! I was pretty disheartened, but after what felt like days of walking, the most majestic waterfall appeared through the trees. Instantly, everyone was all smiles. Brent was the first to bravely submerge himself in the ice cold pool underneath the falls. Thankfully most of us had brought our swimsuits, so we quickly followed suit. We counted down from 5, sprinted and dove into the spring. I can't speak for others on this, but I was reborn! The sun was beaming down on us, the landscape was more picturesque than I could have ever hoped for. I did some necessary yoga under the falls to prepare myself for the rocky hike back. Nobody wanted to leave that oasis, but eventually we did have to labor through the canyon, back to the van.
Brent drove a ways and we stopped for “dunch” (lunch/dinner, as coined by Shana) at a Subway/ Nemo's Burgers. We all sufficiently stuffed ourselves, and continued driving a ways to Bryce Canyon. Entrance to the national park was $25, which allows you a 7 day pass (something we're not able to utilize). This place was definitely a tourist trap, but for good reason. Gazing out over the railings, this landscape looked like something out of a Dr. Seuss book. Stone spires jutted out into the sky as far as you could see. I would have liked this place much more, had we gotten the opportunity to explore the terrain on foot, and not just look out over railings, surrounded by hundreds of others. Regardless, Bryce Canyon is a must see, as far as picturesque views go.
Back into the van again, we headed South to Kanab. Nearing
our destination, for the second time we saw a parked cop car with a dummy in
the driver's side. This time it was a woman dummy, and Zach stated that “at
least we know they're not being sexist.” Arriving in Kanab, we realized our
motel was called Treasure Trail Motel. What exactly that name is alluding to, I
don't hope to find out. Needless to say, there was plenty of skepticism and
laughs over the name of our home for the night.
-Stacy Dahl
[Photos taken by Amanda Stein]
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