One heck of a place to loose a  cow, that’s how Ebenezer Bryce described the canyon when he settled here in 1874. Though it is called a canyon, it is not really a canyon at all, Bryce was carved by freeze-thaw cycles, not a river. The rock formations, called “Hoodoos” are what the park is famous for, but it is also considered one of the best places in the United States to star gaze because of the lack of light pollution form nearby cities. Ponderosa pines, high elevation meadows, and fir-spruce forests border the rim of the plateau which abounds with wildlife. This area boasts some of the world’s best air quality, offering panoramic views of three states and approaching 200 miles of visibility. Even though it was cloudy/partly cloudy when I visited, as you will see in the photos, you can still see for miles.  A recent archaeological survey of Bryce and the Paunsaugunt Plateau shows that people have been marveling at Bryce’s hoodoos for at least 10,000 years. The park abounds with wildlife, I spotted Pronghorn Antelope, Mule Deer, Eagles, Hawks, Sage Grouse, and Ravens, but the big thing to watch out for are Mountain Lions, though I didn’t see any, I would have loved the chance to photograph one. They say some photographers have been photographing here for years and have never seem a Mountain Lion, but they are here, probably watching you without you even knowing.

The lodge that is pictured is the Bryce Canyon Lodge located in the park itself, but I stayed at the Historic Ruby Inn just outside the parks main entrance. In 1916, Reuben C. (Ruby) Syrett brought his family to the wilds of Southern Utah, establishing a ranch near the present site of Ruby’s Inn. A few weeks after his arrival, another nearby rancher told Ruby of the canyon called Bryce. Ruby and his family made a Sunday visit to the canyon rim. They were so impressed by what they saw that they not only took full advantage to tell people of the canyon’s beauties, but they also became hosts to its visitors. By1919 they had obtained permission from the state to build a lodge, the “Tourist Rest”, near the brink of the canyon. Ruby’s Inn at Bryce Canyon is also a destination in and of itself, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking, Guided ATV Rides and Helicopter Tours, along with western experiences such as Rodeos are some of the activities enjoyed by guests. As soon as you walk into the lobby you will be caught up in the Inn’s rich history, if you ever visit, I personally recommend that you stay here. I hope you enjoyed the history lesson on Bryce Canyon National Park and the photos I shot while there, you owe it to yourself to plan a visit someday, photos just don’t do justice to beauty of this grand park!