As we prepared for our departure from the B&B, the big decision was which way to leave. We could return to Bryce Canyon or Highway 12 towards Capital Reef. As Amanda was getting ready, I went down for breakfast. I asked which way to go, and the owner quickly told me the fastest way to Salt Lake City but said there were more scenic ways. That settled it, the scenic route it was via Highway 12 again. I made sure to grab some of their homemade granola for Amanda as she got ready; she was in love with it.
I finished packing my bag and grabbed all the groceries from the communal fridge. As I was downstairs milling around, the owner and I began talking about everything. We swapped God stories, I shared my testimony, and we chatted for a while. Eventually, Amanda called, wondering where I was!
We got all packed up and had instructions to see the petroglyphs on the rock wall not far from the lodge. The owner wanted us to see them and, after hearing our story, said she’d help me get Amanda up there if we needed it! It wasn’t too bad of a walk up some natural steps, but it was worth the effort. The area had been researched by a university and had the oldest artifacts on the Colorado plateau. There were distinct layers that had different settlements for more than seven or so time periods, including a few Native American tribes and settlers; it was interesting. There were names above the images, which were from pioneers, written in wagon wheel grease. As we returned to the car, it was a great view on the hill above the lodge.
We really liked the interactions at the B&B setting. I think we’ll look more into these for other trips, and I’m sure we’ll be back to this one as well. We have long-term plans for our family property to make it an 8-10 room inn. So, this experience reinforced that vision. We’d love to meet new people, hear about their travels, and share our stories.
Of course, coffee was the first stop. An hour away, but a beautiful 40 miles it would be. The coffee shop was close to where we had dinner the night before. It was a delicious cup of joe. I chatted with the barista, asking if they were about to close down like everyone else. He said they tried to hold out as long as they could but would be closing soon. A couple of bikers waiting to order were saying they were out enjoying the last of the good weather.
As we left town, the drive would continue to be beautiful. There was a small town the family we spoke with at the B&B mentioned, so we drove through it. It was a tiny and quaint town, beautiful with a great mountain backdrop. The pictures just don’t do it justice.
After looking at our options on the route ahead, we doubled back a few miles and grabbed lunch in Torrey. Nothing special, just a Subway sandwich. A salad sandwich, one of our friends calls it a foot long with all the veggies they have, minus olives!
The terrain would turn flat, flanked with mountains, and become cattle country again. There was a state park with a large lake a few miles north; we drove up to see it. It would be an alpine lake at nearly 9,000 feet. Many aspens would dot the landscape, but most had already lost their leaves.
Back towards the interstate after the lake side- trip and on to Salt Lake. It would take a while as we turned north, and we popped on the interstate where we’d gotten coffee on the way down to Zion. Surprisingly, we skipped it this time. We did come across a particular site, donkeys, and lots of them, hundreds and hundreds! I’m assuming a mule breeding farm because we saw horses and mules also. It’s the largest herd of donkeys I’d ever seen. A little ranch/farm fact for you: mules are the cross of a male donkey and a female horse. They are infertile and can’t reproduce. If you didn’t know, now you do!
It was a typical interstate drive from there and a little too trafficky for me! Once in Salt Lake, we stopped by an REI, a large outdoor store. We had a $20 credit and a 20% discount both burning a hole in our pocket; both expired that night. I didn’t find anything, but Amanda found a cute kids Patagonia pullover that fit her. We grabbed some to-go poke for dinner, missing the half-off meatless Monday deal by 30 minutes. A check-in and unpack and off to bed. My training would start the following morning.