Everyone knows that the national park is Bryce Canyon. However, most don’t know that it’s not a canyon but an amphitheatre. There is a difference. ‘People say we’re splitting hairs.’ We wish that be the worst thing people say about us—unfortunately, we are being most optimistic. Nevertheless, we hike on, each day even more amazed. The only thing we miss is another election. If asked, but we won’t be, but if we are, we would say that it seems that electioneering is the national pastime. What people will do for money and power never ceases to depress us.
Bryce's Windows, real hardware with 'softy' in front
Whenever we are in Bryce, we notice so many French nationals. We feel we are almost fluent in the language by now. Is it the hoodoos or is it the only place the French believe that can match the Germans? You see the Germans are everywhere when it comes to hiking. They are the most active of all nations that we can determine. Give a German a mountain and two hiking poles and he /she is off walking. It’s not the same with the French. Maybe they are more comfortable at the bistro overlooking the hoodoos. We don’t know but that’s our guess.
Many Germans expire on the mountains. Most of these are not tragic circumstances at all. Invariably, it is people in their 80’s and 90’s—Germans die of old age on mountains because they never stop this pastime. Even today, when we needed some direction we stopped a fellow who clearly looked European. ‘Do you speak English?’ We asked. Seems a funny question to ask in America but there it is. Anyway he answered in the affirmative with a broad German accent. We thought about it, being American and all. Then our editor pointed out that we too are not genuine Americans. We concurred. “What are we?” we replied. ‘Good question. Perhaps two modern day African hippies.'
“Shh! Don’t let the kids hear you say that, the latter part.”
The hike along the edges winding through the park surrounded by every form and shape possible is unique. We added on a section that gave us a full view of the amphitheatre, quite spectacular in anyone’s language. The track took us up and down for the full seven miles. We would not be surprised to compute more than 2,000 feet of cumulative elevation gains. Why this is not a wonder of the world is a wonder in itself. The real treat though is not to stand on the rim as most do. In order to see the detail, one needs to meander into the bowl or as some would say, get ‘down and dirty’.
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
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