Those spikey things are "hoodoos". Geologists would say that a is hard rock that formed on top of softer rock and the softer rock eroded away. But we like the Paiute Indian version better: they believed that the Coyote, a trickster and powerful god, turned the ancient Legend People into stone for being greedy and reckless with nature. When you look at these amazing formations, you can see how they believed that-> we found kings and queens, castles, dragon dens, lions, turtle doves and even a koala bear! (click on link below for interesting story!) We were also told because the Paiute and other tribes feared the stone people in Bryce, it made for a safe place for the cowboys the pass through and ranch near- but that could just be Trail Guide Legend. ;)
JOSIE SAYS:
The trail ride (mules and horses into the canyon) was really fun. There's a lot of cool hoodoos that actually look like people. I can understand why the Indians thought that they were people that got turned to stone by coyotes.
ANA SAYS:
It's interesting how the rocks eroded away they did and made it look like animals and people. It's incredible how Bryce Canyon is huge but there are still places that are bigger. It was amazing how we see how the earth was round because the horizon was curved.
MATT SAYS:
Bryce is another beautiful national Park that we should be proud of. The views from the top of the canyon are amazing with all the beautiful red and pink Hoodoos. During our trail ride our guide Cornell pointed out that the trees soak up so much iron and water that they become lightning rods and however, they normally do not catch on fire because they have so much water- they just get shocked and die. He also pointed out the twisted pines that were over 1,400 years old, and for every inch in diameter they average about 100 years of age.
For those of you who know that I am not a horse or mule person, you should know that I am starting to be OK with them only because I am starting to understand that they want me on their back as much as I want to be their myself. If we (the horse and I) can have this mutual understanding and I think that will work for me on this trip.
FYI the Bryce lodge is a step back in time as nothing has changed since 1923. If you come here you will ask who Ruby was, and it turns out he is just a great entrepreneur who took advantage of the national park road going right through his ranch.
THERESA SAYS:
Yes, it's true, we woke up before SUNRISE to see Bryce at the best time of the day. It was really special and I'm so glad we did it. (Thanks for the tip, Mei!) The trail ride yesterday was a bit terrifying at the top of the canyon- definitely points where I had to close my eyes or take deep breaths and look the other way and hope my mule didn't want to die!- but, once I got comfortable, it was really cool to go all the way into the canyon floor and hear the guides factoids and some really bad jokes. My favorite part of our time in Bryce though was at sunset, imagining on hoodoo shapes with Matt and the girls- so much fun!
NEW pictures in GALLERY! (including new ones in Capitol Reef album)
WE ALSO WENT TO A RODEO (RUBY'S, OF COURSE)... and nothing happened. Seriously, the pictures look cool but, gosh it was boring!
STORIES:
NPR Story on the Paiute and Bryce: https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92103269
National Park Service story: https://www.nps.gov/brca/learn/historyculture/pioneerstory.htm
PS: Limited internet the next few days... we'll check in when we can! :)
Who new hoodoos Could be zoo too.