Wednesday, September 4 – A full day at Bryce Canyon

This was our view as we walked around the corner of Ruby’s Inn for our free breakfast – with a voucher – because we have a room on this property.

I love the history of this inn.

In 1916, Reuben C. (Ruby) Syrett brought his family to the wilds of Southern Utah, establishing a ranch near the present site of Ruby’s Inn. A few weeks after his arrival, another nearby rancher told Ruby of the canyon called Bryce. Ruby and his family made a Sunday visit to the canyon rim. They were so impressed by what they saw that they not only took full advantage to tell people of the canyon’s beauties, but they also became hosts to its visitors. By 1919 they had obtained permission from the state to build a lodge, the “Tourist Rest”, near the brink of the canyon.

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In 1923, when Bryce Canyon became a National Monument, Ruby moved his “Tourist Rest”, to the location of his ranch and named it Ruby’s Inn. Ruby’s reputation grew as the National Monument grew to a National Park, and soon Ruby’s Inn became a large business operation. What started with tent houses and a place to serve meals, paved the way for the modern facilities which today serve the tourists at Bryce Canyon, providing all the traveler needs to make a stay in the Bryce Canyon area a trip to remember. Enthusiasm and love for the Bryce area carried over to Ruby’s son Carl. Today the same western hospitality and friendly service is carried on by Carl’s children and grandchildren.

Following breakfast we waited at the shuttle stop for the first shuttle to the canyon – 8:00 am. We were told that traveling by shuttle makes the day easier than driving your car to the viewing points. The shuttle and entrance into the park was free to us because we have a senior pass to National Parks.

There are six shuttles per hour, so it was a very convenient way to see the canyon. After you are finished in a viewing area, you just go to the shuttle pick up spot and are taken to the next spot. Or you can hike the rim of the canyon to the next shuttle pickup.

We thought we knew what to expect by photos we saw, but you cannot be prepared for this extravagant beauty or the size of the canyon.

Enjoy!

How did this happen? People think they know, but only God know hows He designed this expanse and beauty.

There was also unique beauty near our feet – along each pathway.

Then you look up again – at another place along the path – and see this.

The morning sun created unique vistas.

Following a shuttle ride we arrived at the next viewing spot.

We were delighted to see several mule deer when on the shuttle to the next viewing area – especially this nice male.

More beauty at our feet as we walked to the next viewing area.

More about our day in the next post – Bryce Canyon Part 2.