As usual, I get on the road later than planned, about 2pm - almost "too late" (traffically speaking). But fortunately, maybe because it's Monday, I don't encounter much traffic, and I'm able to get out of town with no problems or delays. I make good time on the 15, bypassing the Barstow outlets this time; I'll do my Xmas shopping on the way back. As usual, my only stops are to gas up again in Vegas and St. George, and to pee (super Big Gulps/Super Tankers don't you know). By the time I do get to St. George (in the southwest corner of Utah) it's almost 10pm which is about as late as any restaurants/fast food places are open. I have a semi-tradition of eating a late dinner at the Kenny Rogers chicken place, but since I'm alone this year I decide to dig into the beef jerky and another 44 oz'er for dinner tonight. I'm anxious to get to my destination.

Just beyond St. George is the turnoff towards Zion and Bryce Canyon, Rt. 9. As usual I keep my eyes open for deer ready to ambush me by springing across the road - I don't want a repeat (or worse) of '97 when a rambunctious buck took a dare from his buddy and tried to make it across the road right in front of me! (He didn't.) At this late hour there are very, very few people on the road and the quiet stillness of the cold night presses in as I drive. By the time I drive through the entrance to Zion I am alone on the road as I pass by the towering walls of rock on either side of me. About halfway up the switchbacks to the tunnel I, as usual, pull over to the side to get out and enjoy the shadowy view back towards Zion Canyon. Having pu on my nice, warm fleece jacket before venturing out I take little notice of the pronounced chill. I love this spot at this time of night and year. Whether lit by the moon or just the broad band of the milky way, it's a subtly beautiful sight. You have to concentrate to see and appreciate the grandeur barely visible at this hour. Enveloped in the darkness, it's easy to get lost in a your thoughts as you gaze about, eyes wide open trying to make out what little detail is available.

Soon enough though the cold seeps through the fleece so I head back into the truck and on to my destination. I resist this time the temptation to blast my horn while in the tunnel; it doesn't seem proper to disturb the peacefulness. I'm listening to my Cirque du Soleil CD as I drive, almost another tradition on this part of the trip. Emerging from the tunnel, now above 5000', the road takes on a serpentine character as it twist and turns through the petrified sand dunes that make up this part of Zion. I'm still all alone on the road.

I emerge from the park at the top of the curving grade and pass through the unattended entrance station. Though the road is straight and flat here I keep my speed down while passing through because this is THE prime deer country. I can guarantee you that I will be seeing deer along this section and I certainly do not want to get too up close and personal to any of them...

  "Well, look who's here!"

  "Huh? Who!? Ohhhh... I see. Is it Thanksgiving already?"

  "Must be. He's back."

  "Yeah it must be I guess. Hard to believe it's that time already, huh?"

  "Yep, sure is. Look at how slow he's going."

  "Well, you remember what happened a couple of years ago."

  "Yeah, when that moron dashed across the road right in front of him on a dare from some doe!"

  "Ha ha, yeah! Geesh! He was lucky he only lost a patch of fur off his side and not run right over!"

  "Yeah well... you know they raise those Buckys a few points short in the antlers down there."

  "Heh, heh. Yeah, that's the truth!"

And I do see a number of deer, but fortunately none of them decide to launch themselves in front of me. Actually, I come closer to running into a cow standing in the middle of the road; I wasn't expecting to deal with that because I was not aware that this area was open range! (I still don't think it is, but...) So I make it down the hill to Carmel Junction and turn north on Rt. 89. It's gotten cold again, mid-20's, but of course it doesn't bother me 'cause I'm snug inside the truck with the heater blasting away!

In about another hour I finally arrive at the motel, Bryce Canyon Pines. Of course no one is up, so as usual, the key to "my" cabin is waiting for me in an envelope taped to the lobby door. I let myself into the cabin, immediately going over to the thermostat to turn up the heat. As I unload the truck I note happily that there is already a nice stack of firewood on the porch. Taking advantage of that fact, after hauling everything in I make a nice little fire, enjoying it from the worn, yet durable loveseat, a cold, refreshing Corona clasped in one hand. I sit and relax, semi-thinking about what I will do when while up here, but really, details can be taken care of later, and I end up just losing my focus into the flickering flames of the warm fire. Eventually though I decide I'd better haul myself up and to the bed, lest I crash where I sit. I do and in no time at all I'm lost in a solid slumber, "visions" of Bryce Canyon and environs dancing in my head.

Sleep tight!