Escalante Petrified Forest SP, 8/1/12

When we went to Ireland a few years ago, we kept running across these brown signs that pointed out sites of interest. We got into the habit of hanging a last minute turn to go off and see something unplanned. This habit, which we have embraced, came in handy today during our drive up Rt. 12 from Bryce Canyon to Torrey. We found ourselves looking at piles of petrified wood after hiking up a plateau at the Escalante Petrified Forest State Park (after an unplanned sharp left). While there we had a nice chat with the girl at the gate and she highly recommended a drive down the Burr Trail, which we took. This led us down a nice road winding, climbing and falling through canyons until we came to a tiny slot canyon, which we explored. None of which we would have seen had we had a plan (we didn’t) and had we stuck to it (we wouldn’t have).

Anyway, we’re now in Torrey after a quick stop into Capitol Reef NP. Tomorrow is the park’s 75th anniversary, so we’ll help them celebrate before heading off to Salt Lake City and the end of this great road trip. We’ll be posting a more detailed account of these travels in the coming week or two, so stay tuned.

Slot Canyon 11.5 miles SE of Boulder UT, 8/1/12

View from Rt 12 about 15 miles South of Torrey, UT., 8/1/12

Capitol Reef NP, 8/1/12