When the desert altitude decides it’s autumn, it doesn’t drop subtle hints—it makes a statement.
We woke up this morning to temperatures sitting stubbornly in the upper 20s. A fine layer of frost sparkled across the windshield, and frozen dew coated the truck. After braving the brisk air outside, our first order of business was clear: finding warmth and good coffee.
We made our way into Bryce Canyon City to Tourist Rest Coffee Company. Finding a quiet spot right beside their stone fireplace with a couple of fresh, hot coffees made the frosty morning melt away in no time. Sitting there by the hearth, we took our time talking over the map and sorting out the plan for the day.
With lunch approaching, we headed back to the rig around 11:30. A good slow-cooker batch of homemade chili is hard to beat on a cold day, and finishing off the leftovers hit the spot before we set out for the afternoon.
From camp, we took the scenic half-hour drive over to Kodachrome Basin State Park. It’s a smaller, quieter gem of a state park ($10 entry), tucked away with striking sandstone spires and quiet trails. We drove all the way to the end of the road near the campground to hike the Angel’s Palace Trail.
It’s an easy-going 1.5-mile loop, but the sweeping panoramic views across the basin are incredible. We weren’t in any rush, taking our time along the slickrock and ridges. Along the way, we crossed paths with another RVing couple, Tony and Barb from California. It’s always a pleasure swapping road stories and rig experiences with fellow travelers out on the trail.
After winding down the trail, we took a slow, relaxing drive back toward camp, cutting through the small community of Tropic. We can never pass up checking out a local spot, so we popped into the Bryce Canyon Coffee Company for a refreshing iced coffee. Right nearby, the aroma from Pizza Place proved too tempting to resist. While pizza definitely isn’t part of our typical routine, every good journey needs the occasional detour. We decided to splurge, split a pizzs, and enjoyed a fantastic, laid-back early dinner.
We made it back to the travel trailer around 5:30 with the evening sun casting long shadows across the red dirt. With the forecast calling for another dip into the upper 20s tonight, I spent the last light getting the exterior buttoned up—stowing camp chairs, gear, and outdoor setup now so morning pack-up is quick, smooth, and warm.
Tomorrow morning, we’re pulling out and pointing the nose south. After a great run up here in the high country, we’re ready to trade frosty windshields for lower elevations, sunny 70-degree afternoons, and comfortable 50-degree nights just a 2.5- to 3-hour haul away.
