Monday, June 19, 2017

Day 45 - Bryce Canyon National Park, UT

Three guesses what the activity of the day was... We went on a half day trail ride through Red Canyon which is just outside the gate of Zion National Park. There were 17 people in the group plus a couple of leaders. We chose this trip as it was advertised "no experience required". We were driven from the lobby of Ruby's Inn to the start of the trail ride in Red Canyon. They give us general directions on how to control the horse but I think they all run on cruise control anyway.

I was put on Geronimo who did not like to be tailgated so he had to be at the back. He was never in a hurry and rarely felt a need to hurry up and wait so there was always a bit of space in front of me. A couple of times, one of the guides pulled up behind me and you can tell that this horse was annoyed and wanted to kick whomever was back there.

The scenery was beautiful with tons of red rocks, hoodoos, trees and dust. The trip as a 3½ hour loop and, at least for me, that was long enough. They need gel pads for the saddles... I wasn't sure how any of the pictures would turn out due to the jostling from the horse. (See video)


We got back just before lunch and the salad bar at the hotel sounded pretty good. But that turned into the lunch buffet for only $2 more...

Right now, between the trail ride and lunch, I just feeling like lying around for the afternoon. This is about the halfway point on our road trip.

12 comments:

  1. You guys look great on horses....I'd had thoughts of trying to learn but an early childhood experience where a horse tried to bite me always comes to mind. I think I would try the ones you guys had though.

    Hoohoos? Did you mean, hoodoos?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep, hoodoos. Thanks, and these trail rides are pretty tame. Though you still get sore if you haven't ridden in a long time.

      Delete
  2. Big grins there--lookin' good, like you're adapting well to the heat.

    ReplyDelete
  3. What Dom said, both of you look like you belong. Cool looking, and with a beautiful backdrop. Classic Western movies come to mind.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was really a beautiful area. There are several other trail ride groups including one that descends into the canyon. But I was happy with this one...

      Delete
  4. Fun!! Well except for the sore butts, I imagine. Hopefully the weather wasn't too warm. Looks like a pretty area.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We opted for the morning trail ride just to try and avoid the heat.

      Delete
  5. You both look very comfy on your mounts! Our trail ride in Bryce was really one of my favorite parts of our trip. But then I grew up riding horses. Fun, but I understand the desire to rest after the ride too! 😁

    ReplyDelete
  6. Beautiful scenery. And doing by horseback has a nice aspect to it.

    ReplyDelete