Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Most of our stuff we packed the night before, and had sitting by the door when we got up. It was Day 2 of this special
visit to Zion/Bryce with my son Matt, and good friend Ray Listanski. We planned on leaving early, but not so early as to
make sunrise in Bryce Canyon, which was a bit over an hour away. Besides, I wanted these guys to experience breakfast
at The Thunderbird Restaurant in Mount Carmel. The plan was to checkout as soon as the front desk opened at 7, and
be on our way. We walked in at a polite 7:04, and I was happy to see an old friend, Kevin McLaws going through some
papers behind the desk. He has a way of perking up your day when he talks about the area and his plans for improving
it while keeping it exactly as it is. In the years I've been coming here Kevin has made some incredible changes, and yet
like a Taoist constructing a monastery on the side of a mountain, the land is unchanged. One can still feel the energy and
life lessons emanating from the rocks and trees. Uh-oh, this is where I could start getting weird telling you how I feel,
but will rather assume we all feel it and just mention how Kevin is one of my favorite people. The park rangers and other
employees of the NPS do a great job keeping the magic alive in the National Parks. Still, it takes special folks like Mr.
McLaws to extend the sensation to the surrounding areas. May every park be blessed with its counterpart. The part of
his character that shines through to give us a sense of certainty in the continuing integrity and beauty of his area, Zion
Mountain Ranch, is his tendency to keep money issues way in the back-back seat of his considerations for change. By
that I don't mean he has all the financing he needs, but that he doesn't make choices based on how many rich folks will
want to participate. Enough about my gratitude... Carry on, Kevin. See ya soon.
We took Scenic Route 9 east to the Mount Carmel Junction where it ends in a T with Scenic Route 89. Those who haven't
had the pleasure of driving through Utah may think its residents a bit pompous naming all of their roads with the "scenic"
adjective, but after a short visit would realize the understatement. Ray was practicing his out-the-window technique when
he was surprised by seeing a golf course appear on our right. We slowed down to pull into The Thunderbird Restaurant,
Home of the 'Ho'-Made Pies. This is a must-stop for everyone traveling through the junction. Great food, pleasant people
and memorable stories and history.
South on SR89 would have taken us past Corel Pink Sand Dunes State Park to Kanab, one of the Western Movie capitols
of the world, but today we had plans with the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon in the north. We had a pleasant ride through
some old towns like Orderville, and I mentioned some great times Barb and I had had staying at a house just down SR14,
which would take us passed a town called Duck and Cedar Breaks National Monument into Cedar City. I suggested that if
we had time on our way back through tomorrow, we should probably take a short ride down Scenic Route 14 to a stream
with plenty of interesting aspen trees that may be changing color already.
