Canyons, Precipices and Lost Coffee Shops - 201 miles

With an early start, we were sure to have an easy day - after all, there were only 180 miles to do, with a little sight-seeing on the way.

Cedar Breaks is quite close to Cedar City and we soon left the suburbs and climbed up to a record - for me - 10350ft above sea level. Hard to breathe up there. The view of Cedar Breaks was terrific. We spent quite some time there.

Then it was on to a loop road I had seen on Google Earth. After one wrong turn which took us to a ski-town which had no working coffee shop, we turned and got back on the right road, only to find the return section of the loop was dirt. No thanks. So still coffeeless, we retraced our path by Cedar Breaks and headed further along.

We eventually came to a town which had a cafe nestled amongst the quad bikes. It was late enough to make it a brunch stop so we had bowls of chili, soups and chef salads. Someone finished off with apple pie and ice cream.
This whole area is riddled with trails for quad riders to follow so the little town of Duck Creek Village caters for them quite well.

The road through is also a popular one for "normal" bike riders and so we saw many of them on this weekend day. Lots of waving.

Then it was down the road to Zion National Park. We were entering from the eastern side and so did not have the long lines to get in. But we did have a little laugh at the bloke with his wife on separate bikes trying to convince the ranger that they were entitled to a single vehicle entry fee.
Two people with four wheels = one vehicle doesn't it? Not likely.

Just before the long tunnel there is a walk that took us out to an overlook with a magnificent view. Probably the best panorama in the park as most of the rest is down in the canyons. It was quite hot, but we took it easy and had a nice time. Kerry has a problem with heights so declined after the first narrow ledge without handrails. Fair enough.

Back to the bikes and down through the long tunnel and switchback roads to the canyon floor. This is where all the 'regular' people go and on summer holiday time and a weekend it sure was packed. The car park was full - only room for bikes.

Charleen and I had done it all before so left the others there to take in the sights up the canyon floor on a bus ride. We made our way around to the western side of the park - via the main roads - and went in to Kolob Canyon. We had done this before as well, but in the morning. Kolob is best viewed in the afternoon when the sunlight hits the cliffs and we weren't disappointed.

It is a beautiful 3 mile run in to the lookout and picturesque all the way. Hardly a soul there either. We took some photos and then Charleen decided it would be a good place to have her first ride of BRed back out of the park. Nice quiet road.
So she backed it out, I climbed on the back and had a nice relaxing chauffer-ridden ride out of the park. We'll do it some more.

Back in Cedar City we took the time to give BRed a good bath in a very cool DIY car wash. Very cool because the hose had a leak high up and sprayed us as much as the bike. So now all three of us are washed, waxed and bug free. BRed is still the shiniest of the three though.

Then it was a few refreshing beers and a meal in the restaurant next door - a nice buffet for under $11.00 each.

Another great day.

Here's the pics to prove it.

View from the Ranger's office window at Cedar Breaks

I've reached new heights - and can hardly stand up.

Cedar Breaks

Almost too cute.

Tunnel entrance in Zion - not the long tunnel

Charleen stands near the edge - couldn't do this previously.

Overlooking the switchback road

Kolob Canyon panorama. Click the picture for a full sized version