It's warming up. It was 46 degrees when we left Cannonville at 8am headed for Hurricane UT. Whoo! Hoo!. Walt and Bob were looking forward to some pool time. We were casually looking at the scenery as we were driving on HWY 12 when all of a sudden the cliffs were solid red...Red Canyon! We passed the Visitors Center, but I caught Walt and Barb in time so that they were able to park the Beast and Testie and ride with us back to the Visitors Center. We arrived just as they were opening for the day.

We were back on the road and planned to take the Markagunt High Plateau Scenic Byway with a side trip on to HWY 148 for a stop at Cedar Breaks National Monument. Siri had us going in the opposite direction….again. This time, we only drove 5 miles out of our way. We turned around and got back on course. Since it is so late in the season, I thought I better check to see if Cedar Breaks Visitors Center was still open. Nope. They closed October 15. The Scenic Byway was still the shortest route to Hurricane, so we decided to stay on course.

If only we came through this way the first part of October. We would have caught the Aspens in their glory. As it was, all the Aspens had lost their leaves. The scenery was still amazing, though, in a stark way. The white bare trunks of countless Aspen Trees stood out against the lava fields they were so firmly rooted in.

The road was good, but narrow. Coming down from the top elevation of 9600 feet, was a little hairy. Bob was ready to let me drive when we reached Cedar City.

We arrived at the St George/Cannonville KOA around 11:15am. It was too early to check in. This KOA happens to be right across from the Red Canyon State Park. Walt and Barb joined us in our RV and we drove over and had a picnic lunch. By the time we finished, they were ready for us. This was one of the best KOA Parks that we have stayed at. It even has a pickleball court. We had planned to return to Red Canyon and do a hike, but that all changed when the boys saw the pool and pickleball court. Revised plan was to play a couple of sets of Pickleball instead, then, a dip in the pool. It was girls against the boys. We played two sets.The boys put up a good fight, but Barb and I won both sets. I have a feeling that there will be a demand for a rematch. Afterwards, the boys headed to the pool. Barb and I had other plans…like doing laundry and paying bills. I have to say it felt good to whack the ball.

We joined Walt and Barb in their rig for a tasty cheeseburger and chili dinner before calling it a night.

Tomorrow, we visit Zion National Park.