Day 9

Today we traveled from Salt Lake City, Utah to Bryce Canyon National Park.   It took us about 4 hours of drive time with a few stretching stops.  Bryce Canyon is located in the state of Utah.  It became a National Park in 1928.   Natural erosion is what has sculpted this canyon.  However, canyon might not be the right word for it.  After coming back to the hotel and doing some research, it appears that it is technically NOT a "canyon" but more of a gigantic natural amphitheater formed by years and years of erosion.  Water (in a variety of forms), for millions of years, has carved out this "canyon".   Bryce's Canyon has 20 miles of sandstone cliffs.  It has an elevation of between 8,000-9,000 feet.  There are things called "hoodoos" which are the pillars that are left standing as erosion occurs.  The canyon is a variety of colors but mainly orange, yellow and a powdery red.  It will be interesting comparing this Bryce Canyon to the Grand Canyon in a few days.  Tomorrow we head to Zion National Park.