Celebrating 22 Years, Our Anniversary Tour-2nd stop

Natural Bridge - You can see this about
20 steps from parking your car!

Our 2nd Stop: Bryce Canyon Area

Several years ago when we bought our first camping trailer, Bryce Canyon National Park was the destination of our first get-a-way. We stayed in the campground at Ruby's Inn.  Since then we have made numerous trips back to the area, some with and some without our trailer. About 10 years back we planned a family reunion in the Bryce Valley area using the KOA campground in Cannonville as our hub. This worked well for the young and the not so young. Everyone was able to find plenty of activities to do both inside and outside the National Park - hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, exploring slot canyons,etc.  We even had one couple take a helicopter tour of the area. This is still one of the most talked about family reunions we've had.  

This recent trip, however, was to be full of FIRSTS for my wife and I,  Our FIRST time staying in a B&B in the Bryce Canyon area.  We chose Stone Canyon Inn B and B.  They're on the south end of Tropic, Utah - set on the east side of Bryce Canyon National Park.  From the front of the Inn, you have views of the Park that can only be seen from here.  On the the east side of Stone Canyon Inn, there is a large deck.  From here one can watch the sunrise and enjoy the beautiful, rich colors on the 

plateau across the valley, as the sun highlights each and every hue.  Then, as night falls the deck becomes the perfect place to relax and reminisce while watching the stunning, innumerable evening stars appear!

Mike and Dixie Burbidge are the Innkeepers at Stone Canyon. Whether you want to go hiking in Bryce, horseback riding in Red Canyon, ATV riding around Tropic Reservoir, or work yourself through a narrow slot canyon, they can help you make all of the necessary arrangements. Maybe you're not sure what you want to do; let Dixie put together a unique day trip designed just for you. In addition to being an expert on things to do in the area, Dixie's breakfasts are a sight to behold, they look as good as they taste. Her meals are comparable to what you would find in an upscale restaurant in L.A. or New York, yet you get to wear your shorts and T-shirt to the table.

Phil & Ronelle - last (and highest) view point in
Bryce Canyon N.P.

Fosters Restaurant

Another FIRST for us was biking through Bryce Canyon National Park. We started at the intersection of hwys. 12 and 63.  We rode out to, or stopped, at more than a dozen lookout points. This was the highlight of our trip.  We had never been all the way out to Rainbow Point before.  Each overlook along the way provided amazing vistas as well a nice break from the climb on our bikes. Yes this is a ride with altitude! We started at about 7600 ft. and  ended at 9115 ft above sea level, with many rolling hills along the way ( I'm not sure of the total amount of climbing).  This is a great way to see Bryce Canyon National Park.  Our round trip ride was 50+ miles of some of the most beautiful country on earth. 

One more notable FIRST for us in Bryce Valley was the prime rib dinner at Foster's Motel & Restaurant.   I'm not sure how we made so many trips to the area and never stopped in to dine.  They're right on Hwy. 12 about one mile west of hwy 63.  The service was great.  The prime rib was perfect - the horseradish had just the right amount of

kick to add to the flavor of the meat.  After a long hot bike ride, Foster's was just what we needed - good food, nice air conditioning and someone to wait on us.  We will be stopping in again on our next visit to Bryce Canyon.

Our 3rd and last stop:  Escalante.