Hey noodle what did you do today?

Well I woke up a few times throughout the night, legit panicking because my brain had mild PTSD from the curvy roads. I had to remind myself I was on flat lands in Utah. Surely Utah wouldn't be as bad as Arizona, right?

Heh. Heh. Heh.

I woke up a little after 6, then drove as the Sun rose and illuminated the formations in Monument Valley. You ever see a movie where they go out West and see a bunch of picturesque mesas and cliffs as they drive? That's where I was...Same road.

I drove through some little towns, then eventually wound up heading into the middle of nowhere...And then I discovered the road lead me to a steep, winding, back-and-forth gravel road that slowly snaked its way up a Mesa.

Using a hammer, you couldn't have driven a toothpick into my rectum.

Thankfully the road was rarely traveled and I had picked a good time to go, as there were no cars coming down my way. Thank Christ I decided not to try and hoof it all the way to the park.

When I got to the top I had to stop due to road work, then wait for the worker to give me the go-ahead. This took about 8 minutes, during which she kept giving me “What can you do?” looks, and I responded with passive “Eh, it happens. No rush.” expressions. Eventually a truck arrived and I had to follow it through the area, which was largely not being worked on, but had some fellas in the middle of the cordoned off section fixing it.

After some more driving I got to Capitol Reef!

Capitol Reef is a really neat canyon area that is surprisingly green. This is made less surprising by the water that flows through there. Mormons settled the area in the 1800s and grew orchards and started a community. I went into the ranger station, got a medallion and a token, then left. I stopped at an orchard for some apples that I could pick myself. I almost didn't get any since they looked pretty picked over, but this Aussie couple said that the tree they had stopped at was filled, so I went back and got 2 pounds' worth, totaling $2. From there I looked for a trail, and found the one trailhead that had been packed was now partially empty. I parked and hiked to see a natural bridge!

It was a bit of a grueling hike, not because of the distance or terrain, but because of the distance and terrain in such a high elevation, but I slogged on! The good thing about Utah is that it's so pretty that no matter where you stop to rest, your eyes are always kept busy. I got my photo taken by a semi-professional photographer in the shadow of a smol arch (About 8 feet tall), and then continued up. Truth be told that small arch was cooler because it was just above the sandy creekbed, but the big one was neat too! I Oo'd and Ah'd, then headed back down. As I did I chatted with a couple about how they were getting close and the elevation was killer.

I returned to my car, then as I drove from the park I saw a smol 1-room schoolhouse. I took a photo while eating an apple and went inside, where a bee followed me. After using a box and a paper, the ranger inside freed the bee, then told me that the first teacher in the school was just 12 years old. Hecc! Young!

As I left I had no cell service, but I knew I needed to go vaguely Westish and Southish, so I took the highway West. Eventually the reception became good enough I could find out where I was going.

After getting through I headed through some absolutely spectacular valleys, past incredible cliffs, and over some pristine desert rivers. While I did I tried reciting as much of the South Park movie from memory as I could, and also I followed an RV, and wondered if they were heading to Bryce as well. They turned off into a gas station, so I never found out.

As I drove I called mum and told her that Utah should be renamed the Land without Cell Reception. She laughed, then my phone call cut out. I parked and called her back, told her of my adventures, and then after I gave grandma a call as well. When the calls were concluded I continued on my journey. The lands became less desert-like and more prairie, and I drove through several small ranching towns. Finally, around 1ish, I got to Bryce.

The visitor center was absolutely swamped, but I parked and went inside. While poopong my Jeep-frand called, and we chatted about tech monopolies and how society is doomed. After, I went inside to the museum and got a medallion and a token and then waited for a tram bus to see sights! I talked briefly with a woman who was semi-bilingual, and I told her of my Mexico trip when I had turned 18. On the bus beside us was a woman with down syndrome (named Ronda) and her parents.

The first stop was Bryce Outlook (elevation: 8,300 feet), and I chatted briefly with a Vietnam vet about the beauty of the area as we took photos. He tricked me by saying the tops of the rocks had cements poured on them, but no, that was just how they looked when eroded. I got back to the bus stop and Ronda was there with her dad, so I chatted with them for a bit (Apparently he's named Brad III, and his grandson is Brad V...Never met a 5 generation family name!). She needed help getting on the bus, but the bus had a step stool! However as we were leaving some woman who barely spoke English told us her bus left without her, and it was a tour bus...Double hecc!

From there we went to Inspration Point, and I thought I'd die hiking the trail to the overlook, but it was beautiful! I got inspired!

I walked back down then waited for a bus to Sunset Point, got out, took photos, then waited for the bus. The whole time the air was in the 50s or so with gusts of wind, but I honestly felt great...Well, great except for the elevation issues. I had planned to stay in the park to see the stars, but the ranger said that predicted thunderstorms meant use of the telescope may be limited. I checked my phone and saw Zion was just 80 minutes away and a mile lower...Zion it is!

While waiting for the bus I chatted with this British guy about America's parks, London, and all sorts of stuff As I left he told me his name was Richard. Stereotypical! British Dick!

I got in my car and left the park, driving through more winding roads that will surely haunt my dreams. I did stop for gas and grabbed 3 strips of beef jerky, some Funyuns, and a really delicious Mountain Dew Mystery 2019 Flavor! Eventually I got to Zion, but...Where's the campground? I remember seeing it had one on the map!

I kept driving, occasionally chancing a look at the moonlit mountains and canyon walls. I drove through a smol tunnel about 50 feet long, then another that was like a mile long. Finally I found the campgrounds, but they were full up...There was overflow parking tho...Guess it's another night in the car!

It was fine tho...Another comfy night!

I hope everyone has a Capitol Reef and Bryce visiting day! <333