After breakfast, we checked out of our hotel in Moab and started our journey towards Bryce Canyon. I had read some really good things about the views along the portion of Highway 12 starting between Highway 24 and the Bryce Canyon area and that route essentially took us right past Capitol Reef National Park so we decided to take a drive through that park as well. We stopped at a few overlooks along Highway 24 before entering the gated part of the park and stopping at the Visitor's Center.
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| Behunin Cabin |
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| This is the Highway 24 end of the Grand Wash Trail, a hiking trail we thought about doing but decided not to because of time constraints. |
From the Visitor's Center, we continued south down the Scenic Drive, taking a detour down the Grand Wash Road, a hard-packed dirt road. I had no expectations for this park. It was sort of a last minute add-on after we planned our must-dos, and it really surprised me how incredibly beautiful it is. It is very underrated.
After retracing our steps on the Scenic Drive, we left the main part of the park and continued on UT 24. There were several more pullouts still in the park off UT 24. We took a few minutes at Panorama Point.
Then we continued down the side road from Panorama Point to Goosenecks Overlook. There was a short hike to one of the most breathtaking overlooks!
After leaving Capitol Reef, we turned onto Highway 12. This stretch of Highway 12 has a lot of pullovers with great overlooks and for part of the drive you are high up with drop offs into canyons on both sides. I think it was a bit of a stressful drive for the driver but so gorgeous! If I remember right, I think the mountains in these photos were the Henry Mountains.
Then we checked into
Clear Sky Bryce Canyon. We had booked a dome with a loft that would sleep all three of us. The resort is out in dark sky territory and they have tried to use lighting that doesn't affect stargazing as much. It looks like they have plans for 90 domes but currently have about 60 built. They have some activities on site like yoga and guided stargazing with a telescope and I believe horseback riding in warmer months. And there is a really good restaurant, located in their main dome.
It was an incredible experience. Our dome was kind of on the outskirts so fairly private (although we could see a bit into the one next to us) and we were quite close to the main restaurant. The only downside is that it was a struggle to maintain temperatures in the domes as glass isn't a great insulator. We all thought the instructions were crazy when they told us to set the main heating unit to 86*F. That seemed crazy hot to us. But that is exactly what was needed in this weather to not freeze! But in my opinion, that minor convenience was worth it.
First a couple views with the curtains pulled and then keep scrolling for the amazing views.
We had dinner at their restaurant which is located in their largest dome. The food and drinks were really good!
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| Solar Siren Quava Celeste Goddess |
We tried the Shishito Peppers as an appetizer and it was so good it was gone before I even got a photo of it!
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| Ahi Tuna Tataki |
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| Dragon Nebula Dragon Fruit Sorbet - My Dad actually ordered this one. |
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| I don't recall which drink this one was. |
After dinner, we tried a little astrophotography again but it just wasn't the same without the Arches formations in the background and so we didn't stay out all that long. I did capture this neat photo looking into our dome through from outside at night.
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