Escalante

Escalante - is a small city in Utah.
But, under such a beautiful name, I mean the southern part of Utah - area bounded by roads 24, 12 and 89.
*Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument*
*Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument - Wiki*

And this is really a wonderful place.
When we see such places - we want to live and enjoy life.

Here there are several natural areas that are located at a small territory...
Mountains, canyons, deserts, forests and meadows.
Cacti, thorns, pines and birches.

At first you see the red hot mountains but in two hours you drive by forest road with northern landscapes, across the meadows and fields, with countless herds of cows.

So...
We woke up in a motel, in the town of Bicknell, Utah, September 14, 2014 and went for breakfast.

Our Sunglow motel...
GPS-coordinates: 38°20'26.6"N, 111°32'35.0"W

Over a cup of coffee, we agreed on our plans...
Today we will see Bryce Canyon and the route by the beautiful and scenic roads will take 3-3.5 hours.

In the evening we arrived at the hotel late and have passed by several tourist spots, including Capitol Reef National Park.
*Capitol Reef National Park*
*We and Capitol Reef*
We decided not to go back, drive to Bryce Canyon along the roads 24 - 12 - 63.

Near the town of Teasdale, we turned from the road 24 to the road - Serpentine 12.
Hills, forests, fields, and this was repeated again and again.

The road ran among pine and birch forests.

We have made stops often not to miss such a beauty.

We were not alone.
Many Americans spend their vacation "on wheels".
Someone like us, by car, and some - on the bus.

It's great to rest a few minutes, get some fresh air and watch, watch, watch.

Our road - serpentine 12 runs on and on ...

Gradually forests and groves of aspen trees are left behind.

The road becomes smoother, we drive up to the mountain...

And then downhill to the town of Boulder.
*Boulder*

The closer to "civilization", the more animals there beside the road.
You must be very careful not to collide with a cow.

The usual small American town, which is more like a village.

We came into a town by a forest road, and left a town by a road in the mountains.

The highway was very winding and steep - to the right and to the left.

Wow!
We were in the woods and fields yet 10 minutes ago...

On one of the lookout point we met a group of bikers from Finland.
--"Where are you from?"
--"Russia"
--"OK. We are Neighbours..."

We were standing together on a cliff and looked into the distance.

Where are the forests and fields?
Only stunted bushes, a dry grass.

The sun came out from behind the clouds and the rocks were painted in golden color.

Together with Finns we go across the mountains further.

After the narrow canyon, we entered to the world of "rusty rocks".

Rocks, like a chameleon: were reddish, but now whitish.
Different rocks - different colors.

Near the town of Escalante there is a stretch of road 12, which you must see.
I even printed a picture and hung at home.

After 5 minutes, we were racing down by the road 12, to the town with a beautiful name - Escalante.
*Escalante*

The town was quite small, with pretty houses, green gardens and with a small airport.

The town of Escalante left behind.
We drive to the town with no less beautiful name - Tropic.

Around the road - the mountains and green fields.

A half an hour later, we saw the town of Tropic.
*Tropic*
Near the city - very beautiful rock, among fields.

We liked the town and we decided to walk by the street.

We had lunch here.
GPS-coordinates: 37°37'33.7"N, 112°04'54.3"W

After 50 minutes of driving, we saw ahead towers, castles and spiers.
Maybe is this a mirage?
Well no. Parking is near.
It Mossy Cave.
GPS-coordinates: 37°39'56.8"N, 112°06'37.1"W
*Mossy Cave*

We drop the car and walk by a sand road, near Hoodoos.
*Hoodoos*

The fantastic!
The nature works wonders.

And people "help" nature...
From 1890-1892 mormon pioneers labored with picks and shovels to carve an irrigation ditch.
Every year since its completion in 1892 this canal known as the Tropic Ditch has supplied the Tropic town with irrigation water.
There is even a waterfall.
But by September, during the hot summer, the canal dried up, leaving only a small trickle.

Take the left fork of the trail up to Mossy Cave.
You will see a large overhang filled with moss.
Mossy Cave is a grotto, created by an underground spring.

We have looked at the creek - waterfall and then went to the car.
The sun lit up the rocks from the different angle, the locks became red and more beautiful.

We saw so many beautiful mountains and rocks...
"Can we see the more fantastic rocks?"
- asked my wife.

But she knew the answer already...
The Bryce Canyon!