May 2

Last night it snowed here in Bryce Canyon National Park. Cars were covered and the roads and sidewalks icy. Had a meeting of the hikers at 8:00 a.m. Decided to keep to our original schedule and head for Zion tomorrow after a hike. Meanwhile, everyone did what they felt like doing this morning, ready to meet again at 12.30 p.m.

John and I drove about 20 miles east to explore Kodachrome Basin State Park. Lots of red rocks reminiscent of Gardens of The Gods in Colorado Springs. John took a short hike to the only natural arch in the park. We wanted to drive to the Grosvenor Arch, which is part of Grand Staircase Escalante, but the park host and ranger advised against it because of bad roads, mud and ruts.

We headed back to Bryce. Had a quick lunch at Ruby's Diner, and went to the Visitors' Center. Watched a movie about the park, bought some more postcards and another hat pin.

Met the group at 12:30. They all dressed in warm clothes, windbreakers, hats and gloves. The wind has increased since this morning and is cold. They are walking a combination of three trails: Navajo and Peekaboo, about 5 miles.

Tonight they are thinking of going to the Lodge for dinner. I am meeting them back at Sunset Observation Point around 5:00 p.m.

We did got to dinner at the Lodge. There were 14 of us. After dinner, some of us went to an excellent Ranger program with slides, on various sites on the Colorado Plateau, such as, dinosaur tracks, petroglyphs, slot canyon, hoodoos, and many beautiful scenic wonders in the various parks, monuments, and reserves.

More from Zion tomorrow...

John and Elaine