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Winter in Bryce Canyon | Bryce Canyon, UT United States | 11/06/08, by hotChocolate

We've been traveling in the van for 2 weeks now.� We are in Bryce Canyon, Utah and have two hours exactly till dark. �

Bike or hike?� Where to go?� Existential questions that we could spend way too much time analyzing.� But lucky for me and my poor decision making skills, the friendly rangers at the visitor center specialize in helping tourists choose activities.� "Well for a bike ride I suggest riding on the road.� You'll get some great views," Mr. Park ranger says.� When we ask about singletrack he looks perplexed.� So we move on to hiking options.� "This hike here (pointing to the map) is really popular.� It's a 3 mile loop and it's pretty flat". �

I look at the map under a plate of glass on the counter and see a section where 'strenuous' hikes are listed.� "How about one of these?"� After a few minutes of convincing Mr Ranger that we can handle 8 miles and 2300 vert, we finally agree that the Fairyland Hike would be our best option. �

I first learned about Bryce in college geology class.� It fascinated me enough that during my first week free from college I headed down to Utah with my mom.� Bryce was everything that I expected, but I have to say, it was a little awkward to be surrounded by indisputably phallic formations and my mother.�

This time I was very excited to visit Bryce with my husband instead.� Especially because he tends to have the sense of humor of a fifth grade boy.� Make a fart noise and I guarantee he'll laugh.� Remember in Superbad how 8% of boys are afflicted with a certain drawing fetish?� Yeah, he's one of those.� For the sake of full disclosure, we're pretty much on the same level.�� �

It was a gorgeous, sunny day.� The scenery couldn't be more impressive.� The trail was graded smoothly with perfectly carved curves- the ones that inspire me to put my arms out like airplane wings and make zooming noises as I round the corner. �

About 20 minutes into the run, however, the weather shifted dramatically.� "Is it snowing?"� Holy crap it's snowing!� Good thing that I'm ready for winter ... �

The snow kinda feels good actually.� We are moving fast enough that it keeps us from overheating.� As we continue along the trail, the scenery is transformed by a blanket of white.� The contrast of the red rock and white snow makes Bryce Canyon even more impressive than before.� Never before would I have placed "penis" and "beautiful" in the same sentence, but the cock rocks definitely looked beautiful accented with snow. �

Highlights of the trail included a natural bridge formation (the Tower Bridge?), and lots and lots of hoodoos.� I am reminded of lyrics to one of my favorite songs: "Now the warriors of winter, they gave a cold, triumphant shout.� And all that stays is dying.� All that lives is getting out."� If you know who wrote these lyrics, then you might be a peace-loving hippy and you definitely went to an Obama victory party last night.

We finished the run before dark in just under 2 hours, which may not be a jimmy chin speed record (not even close!), but pretty good for me.� Life goes on and if it's snowing in the desert then i can't wait to get back to the moutnians for some more early season turns...