Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
DAY 3, Christopher & The Mossy Cave
Above photo by Matthew Straub
Staying at Ruby's Inn is nearly as close as camping right inside Bryce Canyon National Park, and waking up early after
traveling 2 time zones west is much easier, so we arrived at Bryce Point in plenty of time for first light. This morning it
was only Matt& I. Ray felt a recent cold bug trying to regain strength so he told us last night that he'd skip the first session,
and we'd meet him for breakfast.
Early mornings are a great time in the parks. There are no lines getting in because most people are still sleeping, including
the rangers who'd be checking for passes at the gate and trying not to slow traffic while remaining helpful and treating each
visitor as if this is the most important day of their life. Early mornings are also when I might be driving like a maniac en-
dangering wildlife and civil life alike just trying to get to the shot. Yesterday a local geologist told us the best sunrise shots
would be obtained at Bryce Point, and this fact was echoed by a seasoned veteran of the photography craft, Charles Riter,
whom we also met last night. Even after scrapping stubborn frost off our windshield at Ruby's, we were early enough for a
leisurely ride to the point. We got out, gathered our gear, and headed toward the light. It was then that I realized the t-shirt,
fleece and photo jacket I was wearing was an utterly ineffective defense against the whipping wind. There was no morning
breeze making steam dance across coffee-cup hand warmers this day. This was the kind of wind that would knock the cup
right out of your hand. It was the kind that would blow through you, not stopping at skin. It was cold, but Matt didn't seem
to mind. The Relativity of Age.