SCENIC BYWAY 12 - BRYCE CANYON TO TORREY, UTAH

Wow!  I had read a lot about these gazetted "scenic byways" - the all American roads and in particular this No. 12.  It surpassed anything I had been told.  Curious little towns; small farming pockets on canyon floors;  whole valley floors filled with golden trees; and canyon after canyon with this amazing road interconnecting them all.  But best of all was the road over Boulder Mountain.  We climbed to 10,000ft and watched in awe as hill sides of golden aspens appeared and went and revealed themselves again.  It was raining lightly making trunks and branches black only making them appear more yellow.  Snow sat on the crests of the Henry Mountains and we had about 10 miles of sleet when the temperature dropped to 41'F

Now we are in Torrey, Utah.  We managed to sneek a visit to Capital Reef NP, another wonder of the natural world.  More rain is expected and it was advised not to enter the park after rain as the road traverses river washes, where normally dry river beds turn into torrents.  The whole place was russet red and aqua from the copper laden rocks.

We were advised to dine at Cafe Diablo - listed in the "1,000 places to eat . . ." book.  Amazing - visitors materialised from I know not where as Torrey appeared to be deserted.  On Sunday night they were all at Diablo eating Rattle Snake cakes with cilantro pesto and aioli, or baby pork ribs all presented in the most artistic and creative fashion, especially by American standards.  And we were there too eating exactly that, with a magnificent silver margarita that was petite and delicious, thankfully (for both qualities).