Capitol Reef National Park to Grand Staircase/Escalante National Monument to Bryce Canyon National Park

Unfortunately, it rained a lot at Capitol Reef. It is the least visited of the 5 national parks in southern Utah and the hardest to get to. Also, just as beautiful as Arches and Canyonlands. Some of its roads were closed due to flash flooding in the canyons. From Capitol Reef we took Scenic US 12 Byway to Petrified Forest State Park in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. It is a huge, remote area and was the last part of the continental U.S. to be mapped. We were up and down the mountains all day - unfortunately it was rainy and foggy - a white knuckle ride at times. We stayed an extra day at the Petrified State Forest because of the rain (no flash floods). The petrified wood is interesting. Arrived at Bryce Canyon today. Staying at a RV place right outside the park - the park provides free shuttle service so the "Turtle" gets a rest for a few days.
Comments from Eldon:  I don't understand why Capitol Reef is the least visited. The Fruita heritage Mormon area in Capitol Reef was full of orchards and better yet the park service sells fruit pies from the orchards to support the park. What a good idea!!! The Mormons planted the trees in the 1880's and irrigated them from a creek. The park has maintained the orchard since taking over the area in the 1940's.  Because of the orchards, the campground was full of pretty tame deer. I have never saw so many deer in one place. What a good life for a deer in a desert climate - all those fruit trees and no hunters. The drive through the Escalante was wheel gripping. Both sides of the road went straight down - way down. I'm almost glad it was foggy so I couldn't see exactly how far down. Petrified Forest was cool.
Comments from Harry: I got to see deer eye-to-eye at Capitol Reef. They weren't scared of me and I wasn't scared of them. Deer are my friend.