An All-American Road and Bryce Canyon - A Busy Day!

Highway 12 in Utah is designated an All-American Road.  While I had heard Route 66 referred to as THE all-American road, until we reached Torrey, Utah, and saw the signs for Highway 12, I didn't know there was an actual designation by the US Secretary of Transportation.  Apparently, there are only 31 designated All-American Roads.  To be designated, the road must contain one-of-a-kind features that cannot be found anywhere else, and must be a destination all on its own.  Of the designated roads, at least one of us have been on the following:  Blue Ridge Parkway (me), Colonial Parkway (both), Creole Nature Trail (me), Florida Keys Scenic Highway (me), Route 66 (both/part), Las Vegas Strip (me), Natchez Trace Parkway (both), and the Pacific Coast Highway through Big Sur and San Luis Obispo (both).  I've been on about a third of them without even knowing there was such a designation!  In all fairness, the designation didn't come into existence until 1996, and I traveled many of these roads before that.

Anyway, Highway 12 in Utah did not disappoint at all - nope, not at all!

We started out climbing Boulder Mountain with an elevation of 9,400 feet and lovely views from the overlooks.

Just before we reached the summit, we made a stop for these guys.




Once off the mountain, there's a section of road where the road is built on slickrock with the canyon dropping off sharply on either side.  It's called The Hogback after the prominent spine on a razorback hog.




Down in the valley, the canyon walls were imposing.

I was disappointed going through the Grand Staircase National Monument in Escalante.  When we stopped at the visitor's center, they explained that the staircase, itself, is actually better viewed from Arizona.

The Escalante visitor's center was definitely interesting with several interactive displays.  This is also where the lottery is held to be able to hike back to The Wave (which we did not enter).

Soon after Escalante, we started nearing Bryce Canyon.  We could tell by some roadside hoodoos.

These were nothing compared to the hoodoos once we reached Bryce Canyon.  It's impossible to take a bad picture of the Ampitheater.

Or any other part of the park!

From the southern most lookout of the park, you can see part of The Grand Staircase.

The trip back to the park entrance was equally breathtaking.

Almost immediately after leaving Bryce Canyon, you come to Red Canyon.  The formations are nice, but they are nothing compared to Bryce Canyon.  These arches are the most memorable part of the park.

I had significant difficulty breathing, sucking on the oxygen compressor every time we got back in the car after seeing the sights from the overlooks, especially the ones that had a small hike to get there.  You could say it took my breath away!  We finally tucked into a cabin in Kanab, Utah.  This was a nice place for a two night stay.