July 17, 2012

July 17, 2012

Since we are passing right by Bryce Canyon National Park, we decide to enter and do the hike we both liked so much five years ago. It was great, just as enjoyable the second time. Around every turn of this six-mile hike was a new vista. Bryce is certainly a wonderland when it comes to colorful hoodoos. It is another reminder of how much we enjoyed the month we spent traversing southern Utah. The Colorado plateau is just non-stop scenery that can't be matched anywhere in the world. No wonder so many international visitors flock to this area. The question is why don’t Americans visit???

We need to keep pushing south so after finishing our hike we drive for more than an hour to the Arizona border. Before crossing we stop for the night at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. Here sand from erosion of the surrounding red cliffs has gathered into a small red Sahara. The sand accumulates here because the prevailing wind gains speed as it passes through a gap in the mountains. Once through, the winds slows and drops the windborne sand.

While Aimee cooks dinner I take a quick stroll atop one of the big dunes. Because it is wind sifted the sand is all very fine and virtually the same size. Perfect sand! The kind of sand you would look for if you were assembling an hourglass. The sand is so fine, it blows easily off your hand. It also flows downhill like water. But I admit you have to be an engineer to appreciate that factoid.