"It's Not the Destination, but the Journey"

     That's a good philosphy when all the destinations are closed.  We thought we were going to miss out on Bryce Canyon, but rumors were circulating at breakfast that part of the canyon rim was privately owned and open to tourists.  We were off, going through Zion to Mount Carmel, then heading north on Utah Route 89.
     Route 89 is also called the Heritage Highway.  http://www.utahheritage.com/  We traveled it from Mount Carmel at the Zion exit, north to the Route 12 turn off toward Bryce.  That's how we discovered Merlin Figgins and his Orderville, Utah woodworking shop.

Merlin says tour buses stop to photograph his sign.

     We were intrigued since the specialty of this shop seemed to be custom caskets.  It was 4:30 on a Saturday afternoon,  so we didn't expect to do anything except photograph the sign.  As it turned out, we met the owner, Merlin Figgins, and we were treated to a tour of the shop.
   

Merlin Figgins.  The woodworking business is a family affair.  Merlin's wife helps.  His wife's sister does custom wood burning to represent the deceased's favorite pastimes. 

Pine Casket.

Merlin's friend makes decorative arrowheads.

Cremation Urn.

     Here's an article I found online about Merlin:  http://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=2588858&itype=NGPSID

     Here are some interesting pictures taken by photographer John Telford along Route 89: http://us89society.org/RoadTripGuides/ColoradoPlateau/SpanishForktoBrighamCity/JohnTelfordPortfolio/tabid/219/Default.aspx

     Here's the very interesting history of Orderville, Utah: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orderville,_Utah