A Quickie in Zion National Park



We made a quick decision to travel towards home with a short stop in Zion National Park.

We have been here many times but it's been a long time since the last visit.  We saw lots of changes - all for the better.  A very friendly volunteer in the Visitor Center told us we could take our bikes on the trams.  Since there's a 500 ft. gain going the length of the valley...we decided to take her advise and bike back.  We loaded our bikes onto the front of the tram and took a 40 minutes narrated ride

to the end of the valley and the River Walk trail.

 We always take this lush beautiful canyon walk when here.   It's still my

favorite walk.  The path is one mile in and then you can continue into Narrows or

turn around and re-enjoy what you've just done.

 The cliff walls are shear and high.  There's so much water in the sandstone walls that it's covered in hanging gardens of grasses, ferns, and other plants. 

The Virgin River runs on the left, the hanging gardens are on the right, and the walls are red.

 There were more people in the canyon than I have ever seen and they were speaking all languages not English.  There were a couple large French tour groups.  I love the guy in hiking clothes with the white scarf around his neck.  He had a mustache and little center beard.  The French have such style...! 

Ed was conpletely embarrased to take his photo but did so for me.  Muuaahh!

 When we reached the end of the path we found this scene.  This is where the Narrows begin.  It's a water hike.  Usually we turn around at this point and walk back.  I found that there was this thing about safety in numbers and I wanted to cross.

Someone offered me a golf club that I later passed on to someone else.  The bottom is all rocks on the first crossing.  Ed held on to me and we make it slowly across.

 Our wet feet.  We were both sloshing.

 A short distance into the Narrows is the second crossing.  This time it was a sandy bottom.

I was getting used to the feel of the water.  We turned back about 1/4 mile into the Narrows when the nike became all water.  Next time...  I loved it!

 This canyon is beyond beautiful...

We got onto our bikes and headed down valley.  Picture us coasting a good part of the

 way along this kind of scenery. 

 We stopped several times to take photos.  I can only describe this 8 1/2 mile bike ride as glorious.

 Leaving the park we saw a sign for U Pick Apples.  We got a bag and headed into the trees.

Ed ate more than he picked at first...

 ...but then got down to business.  We picked 5 1/2 pounds of

the juciest tastiest Galas we've ever tasted.

 We had put Finn into day care.  We picked him up on the way home. 

He was one dusty little doggie, tired, and happy.

We've all had our showers and we're winding down watching the Olympics.  We'll leave early in the morning because we want to make some distance before the day heats up. 

We want to make a stop at the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park.  Will it be a quick look/see

or an overnight stop?  Who knows...