Saturday, April 5th.

We drove into the park from home, left about 9 am. We drove up I-15 to Cedar City and then up and over Duck Creek on Highway 14 to Highway 89. There was snow on the top ridge, probably not the best way to go over in the spring.

Checkin at the Ruby Best Western Grand was at 3 pm, so we had time to explore a little of the park and the Ruby Best Western across the street in Bryce Canyon city. Everything is clustered together in the city, all pretty much within walking distance.

We drove down to Tropic, 8 miles away, for dinner at the Rustler’s Restaurant. It was marginal at best. Food in the area, we learned, is not a strong suite. Pretty much the same fair everywhere, groan.

Sunday, April 6th.

Breakfast, crowded at the buffet, but we headed into the park for the Sunrise Point Queen’s Garden walk. The buffet was actually pretty good for a large spread. We were on the trail about 11 am and walked down the trail exploring the beauty. At 8,000 feet elevation, we were careful to go slow up and down. The views among the hoodoo’s were amazing.

We drove out to the furthest point in the park, Rainbow Point (18 miles from the park entrance) and then worked our way backward following the map and lookout locations. Throughout the road, the park edge is on the east side and some views were of Navajo Mountain in the distance, 85 miles away. I was able to raise the Utah Intertie repeater system through Navajo Mountain and talked to a few hams on UHF from Yovimpa Point. It is just a short walk from Rainbow Point.

Dinner was at the Vallhalla Pizza place by the Bryce Canyon Lodge, an order to go for the hotel. We were glad we stayed outside the park, the Lodge was crazy crowded, I guess for spring break. Pizza was awful, salad was great!

Monday, April 7th – Birthday!

Nice breakfast and leisurely drive back home through Zion NP. I think it was easier and shorter, but longer time-wise, to cut through Zion to Highway 89.

A nice steak dinner with Shramsberg Mirabelle for Sandy’s birthday celebration!

Friday, March 14 – Friday, March 21

We flew with Alaska Airlines from Las Vegas to Santa Rosa airport direct on Friday, the 14th. We arrived on time, stayed at the Hotel Centro overnight. We were at Rosie’s Saturday morning and brought Rylan back with us on the same flight, but in reverse. The drive from Las Vegas to home was awesome.

We had Rylan until Friday, when we drove into Anaheim for her Disneyland birthday.

Friday, March 21

We drove into Anaheim, leaving about 9 am, with Rylan. She travelled great! We ended up with a flat right front tire, a slow leak that we found at the Terrible Herbst in Moapa, that we fixed in North Las Vegas. The tire guys were great and we only lost about an hour or so. Traffic into Los Angeles and the Anaheim area was tough. We went directly to the Splitsville restaurant (the old House of Blues in the Downtown Disney walk), were first to arrive and we all were together for our 6:00 pm reservation. We had Grandpa and Grandma, us, Rylan and Aidyn and Rosie and Tommy, Douglas and Lauren, and Yasmin and Robbie, a group of 12. Emee and Kelly are arriving Saturday evening.

Saturday, March 22

A busy day in the park with a large group of 12. We were all staying at the Embassy Suites on Harbor Blvd. It is next to the Buca de Beppo restaurant and there is an Anaheim bus stop right next to the complex.

Breakfast was included. Timing of the bus was key, but it all worked out. The times are not exactly fixed, but you can ‘see’ the bus on the Anaheim rapid transit app. Maybe somewhere a little closer next time, easier access for in-out during the day.

Dinner was at Buca with our large group. Emee and Kelly showed up for dinner and spent Sunday with us all in the park.

Sunday, March 23

Today was the big Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique event for Rylan. It was around 10 am, so we were a little more disjointed but it all worked out well. Rylan was precious!

We took Aidyn, Grandpa/Grandma took Rylan in our rooms and we left the kids to enjoy the park after hours. Everyone did their own dinner thing, we went back to Buca for a pizza takeout.

Monday, March 24

We all checked out together, pretty much. Douglas and Lauren stayed and flew home later that afternoon. The drive home was uneventful and we arrived home late afternoon.