May 8

We left Springdale around 9:10 a.m. and drove east on 9 out the east entrance of the park. Turned north on 89, beautiful scenery along the way up the 12. Stopped at the Pines Restaurant outside of Bryce for a late breakfast. Had pie for dessert! Supposedly, they are known for their pies and soup. John had Raisin creme pie and liked it. I had Apple. The crust was good, but the filling was strictly from a can. Not the greatest.

Stopped at the Visitors' Center of Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, which is in the town of Escalante. Then we headed up to Boulder, UT and turned on the Burr Trail Road. It was paved for about 30 miles, then was dirt for the next 35 miles. We traveled through lovely red rock canyons and right up the middle of the Waterpocket Fold, an outstanding feature of geologic shifting and folding with many uplifted rocks.

Finally, reached the town of Hanksville. Rented one of the last three rooms in a motel and ate dinner at a restaurant called Blondies.

More from the road tomorrow...

John and Elaine