Bryce Canyon

Just outside of Zion on the way to Bryce Canyon is a tunnel. A long tunnel. A long unlit tunnel. A long unlit tunnel where we discovered our headlights didn’t work. Surprise! I thought I ‘fixed’ the headlights only a few months ago!

There was a bit of panic as that little bit of daylight faded the further we went into the tunnel. Pulling the switch in and out didn’t do anything. I pulled back the brights switch and it worked… for a few seconds. Then I fumbled in the dark for the fog light switch while braking and hoping there were no turns. Fog lights to the rescue again.

Later, I discovered the problem was with the ignition switch. You know how after you start the car and let go of the key and it springs back to the ‘on’ position? Mine didn’t, which meant that there was no power to the headlight switch. Now I know that wiggling the key and turning it perfectly vertical fixes it. I actually have a replacement ignition switch somewhere, but it’s a pain to replace so it will just be another bus personality trait for now.

It’s definitely getting cold and there’s snow on the ground. Oddly, we arrived at Bryce to find out that it was one of the few days of the year the park is ‘closed.’ The park gates are open, but there are no rangers or visitor’s center or entrance booth info (or fees). So, we just drove right in and wandered and camped. But, the park seemed to be taken over the by local police who were apparently having a field day pulling people over inside the park and writing tickets. I guess it’s their domain for a few days a year and they’re going to take advantage of it. Not very inviting.

Bryce and Zion aren’t located very far apart, so the landscape doesn’t change too much. The difference is that in Zion you are at the bottom of a canyon and in Bryce you are at the top. There’s probably more to it, but that’s my take.