Day 5 On the Move in Utah

We were up at 6:30 AM feeling unhappy about the day's forecast. Brad made a reservation at a motel near our destination due to heavy rains and severe weather that were in the forecast. We had planned to skip our scenic drive, but at the last minute we went and are we ever glad we did!  

The Grand Staircase drive was spectacular!  Even the area prior to Capitol Reef was stunning!  We kept stopping to take photos. We had a quick picnic before the storm and then it rained really hard, but it passed and that happened several times. 

Scenic Byway 12 was beautiful and we stopped many times for photos there too. 

When we got to Bryce Canyon it started pouring and hailing.  We were so disappointed. Tourists were piling out of the park and the Visitor's Center was packed. Then when it cleared there was an awe-inspiring view complete with a rainbow!  We hiked to sunset point for more photos. Luckily the rainbow lasted a long time!  It was a beautiful view.  

We made our way through Zion Park to the motel, which was quite far from the park.  We drove through an unlit tunnel that was over a mile long that was built in 1930.  Before we left the park we saw Big Horn Sheep on top of a distant hill.

On day 1 I thought the scenery couldn't get any better, but each day seems to be more amazing!

We thought that the desert was quite beautiful!

On this travel day we had on and off showers/storms.

I thought this area was especially beautiful!

We enjoyed seeing the interesting rock formations.

The wide variety of flowers were beautiful!

After the rain this area was very colorful and complete with 
several small waterfalls.  It was a fun place to hike around.

I've never seen a waterfall like this before.

When I was taking this photo there was a 
loud crack of thunder that made me jump!

The crowds of tourists left because of the rain, but 
 they missed the rainbow.

Brad has enjoyed resuming his nature photography hobby.

At Bryce Canyon there is beauty in all directions.

Bryce Canyon at Sunset

We drove through Zion in the evening and I spotted this 
family of Bighorn Sheep atop a distant hill.