Day 7 - Topaz Lake, NV to Bryce Canyon, UT

Yesterday's ride was fabulous. Temps were cold starting out, about 46 degrees and a bit cooler on the passes. I left the lodge about 6:30 a.m. since I knew it was going to be a 10-11 hour day on the road to Bryce Canyon. It warmed up beautifully as the sun came up fully.

Since I hadn't ridden south from the lodge while we were there, I wasn't aware that California was just around the next curve! Topaz Lake straddles Nevada and California.

I headed south to Lee Vining, California, where I would turn east on CA 120, fondly known as the "giggle road." I had breakfast at a cool little place call the Epic Cafe. The frittata was delicious! Turkey, sun dried tomatoes and fontina cheese. A high protein start to my day.

I took about 260 photos throughout the day, and culled that down to 78. I never get tired of the views out here, so I hope you don't get bored looking at all this beauty :) I have captioned a few, and will probably come back tonight and do more. Right now it's time to ride!

Today's ride will be around the Bryce Canyon area, and I think a run down to Zion National Park. Time to get dressed and get going. I hope you enjoy the photos!

6:30 am departure from Topaz Lodge. Little did I know California was right around the curve!

Here's my sign!

Love the way the sun lights up the rocks.

I'm basically riding down the east side of Yosemite. Another long road.

Mono Lake in the distance.

Breakfast in Lee Vining, CA  Excellent choice!

Heading east on the "Giggle Road" - CA120 East to Tonopah, NV

Must have fumbled the camera - Looking serious here :)

Sometimes my views get skewed.

Other side of Mono Lake

This sign is why it's called the "giggle road." What a blast!

These dips are pretty tame - there were some really deep ones, I was a bit busy to take pictures.

It's a LONG way to where the road disappears into the mountain side.

Saw a few dust devils trying to form.

Open range cattle and horses. This one is pretty far off the road. The ones I encountered previously were right on the edges of the pavement - mama cow and her calf on the right, and a steer on the left. I slowed way down and got by them, but I did NOT get their photograph nor their autograph..

And suddenly we have a cactus forest!

It was about 200 miles across from Lee Vining to Caliente, Nevada, with NO gas in between. I sure was glad to see this little town! Thank goodness for the Wing's big gas tank. I actually still had one more gallon in the tank, about 40 more miles. Whew!

A nice little town - mountains in the distance.

Back to Utah!

They call it "color country," and rightfully so!

This doesn't look so good. I haven't been wet since Chattanooga last Sunday. And with only 35 miles to my destination :( Shortly after it started raining and I had to stash the camera. So I missed some good shots on the way in to Bryce, need to go back this morning and get some pics of Red Canyon. Absolutely stunning!

I stopped and put on rain gear, and put my camera away. Of course then I didn't get another drop on the way to the lodge. Grrr...

Off to explore some more! Hopefully I can stay awake long enough this evening to get the blog updated :) Last night was one of those where I woke up at about 1 a.m. with the laptop still on my lap. Oh well.