Mileage:  68,494

State Forest Road 410 Cannonville, Utah

It was a crisp fall morning.  We drove down Route 12, a scenic byway, also nicknamed “The Million Dollar Road.”  This is undisputedly one of the prettiest drives in the west. 

There is a lot to pay attention to:  deer, falling rocks, open range cattle, tight curves, and steep grades…as steep at 14%!

The drive begins in the Dixie National Forest.  Lots of tall pines with golden splashes of color as the aspens display their glory.

There are grand vistas at 9,600 feet of the Capitol Reef Fold and the mesas beyond.

We emerged from the forest and entered Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument.  More spectacular views.

Are all my pictures starting to look the same?  I know I am taking a lot of pictures of rocks.  To us, each area has been distinctly different.  It is so beautiful that I feel compelled to take pictures.  Yesterday, I took 136.  I had the goal to limit myself today…it is rather impossible.

As we were driving down the road from Escalante to Bryce, we saw two cyclists pedaling hard along the narrow shoulder.  Linda and Dominik were also on their way to Bryce.  It was very windy!  We offered them a ride, but they refused…they wanted to cycle!  They are two tough people!  I am constantly amazed by their perseverance!

We were on our way to Bryce Canyon National Park.  We did not have reservations.  All of the bigger campgrounds and all of the state campgrounds were full.  I called Kodachrome Basin State Park and the ranger suggested that if we didn’t mind dry camping, there was a State Forest Road 410 just past the park where we could camp for free.  Look at this view.

We took a ride on a gravel road through BLM land this afternoon.

This evening, we packed our dinner and the grill and rode into Kodachrome Basin Park.  The park is small but the rock formations, monolithic spires and cliffs are gorgeous.  We drove to chimney rock and got some amazing pictures as the evening light began to change. 

We enjoyed a campfire as the sun set.  The campground across the way was very nice…but our remote spot cannot be beat!