Explore Utah's Bryce Canyon on horseback
Explore Utah's Bryce Canyon on horseback
Overview of Bryce Canyon, southern Utah.
Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, Mainz
Transcript
NARRATOR: Canyon land in the southwestern United States. Bryce Canyon is actually not a canyon, but a caldera in the form of a giant natural amphitheatre. The first settlers here had a wary respect for Bryce Canyon. They said it was the worst place you could lose track of cattle. And it's certainly true that it's not a good idea to enter these badlands without a guide. Katrin leads tours through Bryce Canyon. She recommends her charges explore the area on horseback. This is the best way to get around here, even for people who have never ridden before as the Western riding style isn't too difficult to pick up. Katrin was a travel agent back home in Germany but always dreamed of coming to the Wild West. Now she and some friends have bought an entire mountain close to the town of Boulder. A trip through Bryce Canyon takes riders on a journey back in time, following the footsteps of some of the oldest tribes in North America.
KATRIN: "This was probably made by the Anasazi people. They lived here around 1,000 years ago. They disappeared 800 years ago and no one knows whether they died out or moved away. Maybe there was a severe drought. You find arrowheads like these all over the place."
NARRATOR: The natives here never enter the canyon alone. They're afraid of being turned into stone. According to ancient legend, Bryce Canyon was formed by the god Coyote as a home for his people - humanoid creatures, animals and other beings. But the inhabitants were not happy with the place and kept trying to brighten it up by decorating it with colorful paints. Finally, Coyote had had enough. In his anger, he took up their pots of paint - pink, purple and red - and he emptied the contents over his people, turning them all into stone. And, as you can see, they're still standing here to this very day. In these remote and isolated badlands there's always something new to be discovered.
KATRIN: "The really special thing about this place is the changing moods and atmosphere you find here. You're always coming across something different around every corner."
NARRATOR: Katrin has now lived here for almost 15 years, but she doesn't feel homesick for Germany. Her long-cherished dream of leading a life in harmony with nature has come true here in Utah. And her guided rides through Bryce Canyon are now famous across the state.
KATRIN: "This was probably made by the Anasazi people. They lived here around 1,000 years ago. They disappeared 800 years ago and no one knows whether they died out or moved away. Maybe there was a severe drought. You find arrowheads like these all over the place."
NARRATOR: The natives here never enter the canyon alone. They're afraid of being turned into stone. According to ancient legend, Bryce Canyon was formed by the god Coyote as a home for his people - humanoid creatures, animals and other beings. But the inhabitants were not happy with the place and kept trying to brighten it up by decorating it with colorful paints. Finally, Coyote had had enough. In his anger, he took up their pots of paint - pink, purple and red - and he emptied the contents over his people, turning them all into stone. And, as you can see, they're still standing here to this very day. In these remote and isolated badlands there's always something new to be discovered.
KATRIN: "The really special thing about this place is the changing moods and atmosphere you find here. You're always coming across something different around every corner."
NARRATOR: Katrin has now lived here for almost 15 years, but she doesn't feel homesick for Germany. Her long-cherished dream of leading a life in harmony with nature has come true here in Utah. And her guided rides through Bryce Canyon are now famous across the state.