Day 24: Escalante, UT

Day 24

June 9, 2015

Miles: 48

Bryce Canyon to Escalante

Sleeping in the log cabin last night was great fun.  We were protected from the elements and comfortable because we slept on a mattress in our sleeping bags.  But since we are keeping track of how many days we are camping v. lodging, I gently let Steve know this morning that I thought the log cabin should count a camping day, and not lodging. Naturally, he wanted it to count as lodging, but when I reminded him that the toilets were outside about 100 ft away, he willingly agreed. So that means 4 out of 24 days we have camped, better than the estimated 15% of the time.  I am ahead of the game, which makes me very happy since learning that there are not only snakes, bears and coyotes living in the mountains, because after reading about the different wildlife living in the canyons, what else but mountain lions too. Great!  Up until yesterday big cats were not even on my radar!

Here is a picture of breakfast today.  Pancakes and eggs. Yummy!

Pancakes were extra good!

We rode 48 miles today.  Not a very long day, but a grueling day because of the steep climbs.  We rode all day on Rt12, a famously beautiful stretch of road often explored by tourists from all over the world. We essentially rode through the Escalante Grand Staircase National Monument, which covers 1,880,461 acres of land in southern Utah.  Some pictures of the landscape...

Grand Staircase - vantage point 1

Grand Staircase - vantage point 2

Grand Staircase - vantage point 3

Along the way, we did pass by more structures with Hoodoo's.  As the legend goes ... The Paiute Indians, who inhabited the area for hundreds of years before the arrival of European Americans, claims the colorful hoodoos are ancient "Legend People" who were turned to stone as punishment for bad deeds. Very interesting, however, I prefer Nanny's legend better - they are 'Voodoo People'.  

Hoodoo you love!
Steve sang this song all day ...

More Hoodoos

A pretty stretch of Rt12

We packed our lunch today because there was a 40 mile stretch without services.  We carried a lot of water today and a lot of extra food too.  Instead of PB&J sandwiches, I made us AB&J.  We decided to switch it up with Almond Butter based my sister Toni-Ann's recommendation.  We also enjoyed some bananas and apples too.

On the surface, this picture below may look perfectly balanced with rich colors and a beautiful sky, and it is.  But what is so significant about this shot is the mountain in the center.  We are approaching to climb it!

After reading our biking map closely this week, we learned that we would be climbing grades between 6% - 14% while riding through Utah.  We really didn't know what to expect, until today.  We are pretty sure about 2 miles of today's climb was at 14% grade with the rest of it at varying double digit grades.  We know this because it kicked our butts.  Well not really.  We made it up without walking the bikes, but we did stop twice to rest.

Taking a quick rest to recharge

Reaching the summit

This is what I looked like after the climb.

Still alive!

This is what Steve looked like.

Not sure what that face says?

Below are pictures in Bryce Canyon from yesterday. I had difficulty offloading them from my phone last night in time for when Steve wrote the blog. Just wanted to share these shots of Steve with you ...

Steve getting a view of the Canyon

Steve getting intimate with the Canyon

Steve getting down with the Canyon

Steve getting close with the Canyon

Steve getting his point across with the Canyon

We have earned a day off tomorrow, so we are staying in Escalante an extra day for some R&R.  As you know, we have been touring now 24 days.  Our longest tour in the past was 21 days.  That means everyday is a new record according to Steve!