After walking within the canyon, we follow the Rim Trail to Bryce Point. At the end of our walk of over four miles in the blazing sun, we are glad to utilise the park's shuttle bus to get us back to where we have parked the car. Although we have taken water with us on the walk, we are pleased to find the extra bottles we have left in the cold box are still cold. After having a drink we drive to Bryce Canyon Lodge to book this evening's dinner and to relax on the porch (left). We then drive to Rainbow Point.

(above): View from Yovimpa Point

We arrive at Bryce Canyon Lodge a little early for our 7:30pm dinner booking, but do not have to wait very long before getting our table. The restaurant is full and there is sufficient demand for the tables to be used twice. Our very pleasant meal includes steaks and glasses of the house Chardonnay.

When we were last at Rainbow Point, snow prevented us walking the short Bristlecombe Loop Trail. Today, we are able to accomplish that walk to admire the extensive views from Yovimpa Point. On the way back to Ruby's Inn we stop to admire a Natural Bridge.

(7) Wednesday, June 2nd: As previously, we have thoroughly enjoyed visiting Bryce Canyon - one of our favourite locations in the United States. Today, our itinerary takes us northeast of Bryce to another national park: Capitol Reef. Our only previous visit to Capitol Reef did not allow us enough time to thoroughly explore all of its features. On that occasion, we were heading in the opposite direction, and were surprised to find how much there was to see on Route 12 - the scenic byway that connects Bryce Canyon to Capitol Reef. On this trip, our schedule allows the whole of today to explore Route 12, and the whole of tomorrow to explore Capitol Reef.

Our first stop on Route 12 is at a National Park Visitor Centre at Cannonville.

A side road from this small town gets us to the Kodachrome Basin State Park.

Our visit to Kodachrome Basin State Park comprises three parts: a drive along a dirt road (impassable when wet); views of the parks many sandstone spires (including the huge Chimney Rock - left); and a short walk along the Shakespeare Arch Trail.

Natural Bridge