Scenic Highway 12 in UTAH- Part I

As most of you know,  George and I prefer to drive on the 'back-roads' in this country when we can.  On our recent trip out west,  we did take the interstate much of the way---mainly because of time constraints...  BUT--we were able to get on some back-roads on occasion, especially in Utah.

Today,  I will share with you a teeny tiny part of Scenic Highway 12 (which runs between  Highway 89 near Panguitch and Torrey, Utah).  You can see the map above showing where we were.  I will feature Red Canyon and Bryce Canyon in other blogs --but will begin today's post a short distance beyond the entrance to Bryce Canyon at Water Canyon (near the Mossy Cave trail).

The date was June 22,  and we reluctantly were leaving the Kanab, Utah area --after four wonderful days, and heading toward Green River.  Our first stop that morning was,  what else,  to see a WATERFALL (actually TWO of them).  What a neat place and hike!!!!  We've never been close to a waterfall before with hoodoos around it!!!!  How special is that!   Here are some pictures from our 1st stop that morning.

Water came through this area at one time when the pioneers in the 1800's dug an irrigation ditch to this area to provide water for the nearby communities. All of the water changed the geology of the canyon by washing away many of the hoodoos.  Note the ones left in the picture above.  The water formed an arch!!

What an interesting trail.  There was an actual cave/grotto which is more like a shallow alcove filled with moss.  We were just amazed to be able to see some waterfalls in an area like this.

Here is one of the two waterfalls.   George took a great picture of it.  Its name is  TROPIC DITCH FALLS... There wasn't too much water and the waterfalls weren't too large---but you know us... We love waterfalls of all sizes!!!!! ha

And here is the other waterfall,  named UPPER TROPIC DITCH FALLS.  Neat, huh?

Our 2nd stop that morning was in the town of Tropic (on map above).  We visited the Ebenezer Bryce cabin (which is now a museum). Ebenezer Bryce (1830-1913) was a Mormon pioneer, best known as the person whom Bryce Canyon is named after.  He left Scotland for Utah at the age of 17.  They moved to southern Utah in 1862, and settled in Pine Valley in 1875.  It was there where he built the oldest Mormon Chapel still in use today.  Soon after, the family moved to the Paria Valley.  Bryce Canyon became a National Monument in 1923 and a National Park in 1928. Ebenezer Bryce eventually moved his large family to Arizona.

As we left Tropic,  and headed through Cannonville and Henrieville---we saw some gorgeous scenery around us.   Isn't this an awesome picture????  Those rocks look like Indian teepees to me.... What say you?

Finally,  here is one more picture of this gorgeous two-lane scenic highway we took... IF you ever get to spend some time in Utah--just take some drives along some of the back-roads.  You'll love 'em!!!!!

MUCH more to come from Scenic Highway 12 in the future!!!!!!   Hope you enjoyed the beginning of that drive with us.

Hugs,

Painted Desert, Arizona

Several of you mentioned the Painted Desert in THIS blog post.   SO---I thought I'd show you a little more of it today.  The Painted Desert is a 146-square-mile area of badlands located in Northern Arizona (north of Cameron) in the United States.  This area stretches from the Grand Canyon National Park into the Petrified Forest National Park --and runs just north of the Little Colorado and the Puerco Rivers.

The Painted Desert has been described as a multi-colored layer cake.   The variety of hues in the sandstone and mudstone layers of the Chinie Formation is the result of the varying mineral content in the sediments and the rate at which the sediments were laid down.  When sediments are deposited slowly,  oxides of iron and (hematite) aluminum become concentrated in the soil.  These concentrations create the red,  orange and pink colors you see.  During a rapid sediment buildup (such as a flooding event),  oxygen is removed from the soil forming the blue, gray and lavender layers.   This is truly something to behold --- and one needs to see this for him or herself in person if possible.  (I know, Suzanne:  TOO MUCH INFORMATION!!! ha ha)

It was extremely windy the day we were at the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest (I'll talk about the Petrified Forest in another blog) ---but the wind kept it from feeling too hot that day.  George did get a sunburn on his head --since he couldn't wear his hat!!!!! ha

Above is a picture of us at the Painted Desert.  Below are more.

This is the Painted Desert Inn.  It is a National Historic Landmark, and is located at Kachina Point.   The history is interesting to read.  It was originally called the "Stone Tree House" because so much of the original material was from petrified wood. It was built in 1924. Rooms rented from $2-$4 a night.   Then,  the CCC renovated the inn and it was open for about 2 years before World War II.  Later, this inn used to serve as a respite for travelers along historic Route 66. The Petrified Forest is the only National Park in America where historic Route 66 went through at one time.

The inn today opened again in 2006 --after much renovation.  It is now a museum and bookstore --and does not offer food or accommodations now.  When renovating,  they preserved very interesting wall murals done by Hopi Indian artist,  Fred Kabotie.

This is one picture of some of the inside of the bar and eating area at the Painted Desert Inn... When they renovated,  they tried to preserve as much of the history as possible.  We enjoyed touring the inn ---and especially seeing the gorgeous wall murals.

These little adobe houses were near the Painted Desert Inn...   They also have been renovated... I read somewhere that artists-in-residence to the park stay in these neat little homes, when they are chosen to come here.  Wouldn't that be wonderful ---IF I were an artist?????ha



++++++++++++++++++++++++
Now--just sit back,  get another cup of coffee --and just enjoy these next three pictures of the Painted Desert... Click on them to make them larger. They are truly AWESOME!!!!

 We have plenty more pictures of all of this beauty---but I'll stop for today.... Hope you enjoy reading about the history as much as just seeing the pictures...

Have a wonderful weekend.  I will see you on Monday!!!  I will spend part of this weekend  learning the NEW Blogger Dashboard which appeared on my computer Thursday night.....  Everything is DIFFERENT.... Fun --Fun-- Fun...  (They are certainly keeping us on our toes!!!!)

Hugs,