The route that we took to Zion National Park wove in and out of Arizona through Utah, until we had reached the town of Springdale, Utah. The drive up was beautiful. As the sun was setting, a golden shower cascaded over the canyon and its valley below. I was in absolute awe of the park and the charming town just outside its gates. Soon, we found our lot and set up camp. I walked over to the recycling bins to throw out a few plastic bottles, and the first thing I were two deer right in the campgrounds! So I quickly rushed back to Ryan, got his camera, and started snapping away. Closer, and closer I got until I decided to stop about three yards away to give the animals their space. It was as if they hadn’t even noticed my presence.
Shortly after spotting the deer, Ry and I decided to go to sleep early. The forecast had called for rain, but the skies looked pretty clear…until later that night. Around two in the morning I stirred from my sleep as droplets of water landed on my temple. Moments later as my senses also awakened, I heard rain pelting my surroundings. As I listened closer, I heard an even more consistent and more amplified drip, drip, drip coming from within the tent! It was a very rough night as I realized our tent was leaking water, and I was debating if I should go out to the car and seize my pots and pans in order to contain the water. However, I had enough of the rain and decided to stay (moderately) dry inside our little tent and wait it out. Finally, two hours later, I stopped worrying and fell back asleep. Hours later when we awoke to start our adventuring, we found that some of our clothes had gotten wet and there were a few puddles on our tarp floor. With a new hurdle to overcome, Ryan and I were both a little agitated the first few minutes until we worked together to clean up the muddle. After that, we decided to drive into town for a nice breakfast and a look around town (the forecast called for more rain and lightening). We met an elderly lady who told us all kinds of stories about her past, her eight children, her grandchildren, her GREAT-grandchildren, and how she wants to have a Celebration of Life party with all of her family surrounding her when she reaches 90 (in three years). We were intrigued as she told us about her travels, and the love that her and her husband shared. We witnessed the tears caught trapped in her eyes as she told us about her husband and son passing away from cancer only a short time apart, and we felt our hearts warm up with the willpower and love she still has to give. Before we left her shop, she gave us a piece of advice- to be thankful for what we have and never take anything for granted. This woman, named Mary-Anne, is one of my favorite people I have met on this trip. All I wanted was to hug this woman or grasp her hand show her how much she touched my heart and that in that instant, I felt very bonded with her. However, I am a fairly shy person and thought it was perhaps inappropriate. So instead, we signed her guest book and thanked her for sharing her memories with us. I wish the best for Mary-Anne.
After looking at most of the shops, we went back to the tent since there was clearly no rain to come. I was tired from my lack of sleep, so I told Ryan to explore a nearby trail while I got to take an hour nap. On his return, he gently woke me up, and I put on my hiking shoes. We took a shuttle to one of the trails. I looked out the window on the way up the canyon and saw how muddy and swollen the Virgin River had gotten from the week of rain. There was even a landslide that blocked one of the roads. It was a disappointment because Ryan and I wanted to hike The Narrows- a trail that literally goes through the river- but there was NO way I was going to hike through fast moving waters…especially when a woman went missing the day before we got there. Once we got to our stop, we got off and started hiking. We conversed about the animals we saw, our disappointment about the Narrows, and how beautiful Zion was. Eventually we made it the “end” of the trail, or where The Narrows really began. Two men were walking back from The Narrows and I think it got Ryan a little hyped about The Narrows, because he kept saying how much he wanted to go and tried to ask. However, I still said no. I could tell he was upset, and I can say was equally disappointed, but eventually he agreed that it was much too dangerous to venture into the waters during a flooding period. As an alternative, we went back into town and got some supplies for a campfire. We made tea and chicken sandwiches for dinner, and soon after we went to bed.
The next day we packed up the car because we had decided to leave for California a day early. After everything was done, we went on our way to hike The Emerald Pools, which were so refreshing. I took in the scenery around me, and I thought to myself that the canyon looked like nature’s version of New York City…and it was a place I’d much rather be. The sandstone looked perfect against the blue sky that had sprinkles of white clouds. Though it’s considered a desert, the shrubbery and trees that festooned the valley made it feel like an oasis. I can’t wait to come back one day.
Interesting Facts:
1. The average snowfall in the mountains near Salt Lake City is 500 in.
2. State symbol is the Beehive representing thrift and industry.
3. The name Utah comes from the Native American Ute tribe meaning
"People of the mountains."
4. Utah was acquired by the United States in 1848 in the treaty ending the Mexico War
5. Utah has the highest literacy rate
6. Became the 45th state on January 4, 1896
Likes:
1. Very nice people
2. Gorgeous National Park
3. Small-town charm
4. Felt safe
5. Phone Reception
6. Lots of different level trails for everyone (easy, moderate, strenuous)
7. Showers in town if you need them (for a fee)
Dislikes:
1. Did not get to hike The Narrows
2. Ants bite!
3. Some flash flooding in places
Rate: 9.7/10
Shortly after spotting the deer, Ry and I decided to go to sleep early. The forecast had called for rain, but the skies looked pretty clear…until later that night. Around two in the morning I stirred from my sleep as droplets of water landed on my temple. Moments later as my senses also awakened, I heard rain pelting my surroundings. As I listened closer, I heard an even more consistent and more amplified drip, drip, drip coming from within the tent! It was a very rough night as I realized our tent was leaking water, and I was debating if I should go out to the car and seize my pots and pans in order to contain the water. However, I had enough of the rain and decided to stay (moderately) dry inside our little tent and wait it out. Finally, two hours later, I stopped worrying and fell back asleep. Hours later when we awoke to start our adventuring, we found that some of our clothes had gotten wet and there were a few puddles on our tarp floor. With a new hurdle to overcome, Ryan and I were both a little agitated the first few minutes until we worked together to clean up the muddle. After that, we decided to drive into town for a nice breakfast and a look around town (the forecast called for more rain and lightening). We met an elderly lady who told us all kinds of stories about her past, her eight children, her grandchildren, her GREAT-grandchildren, and how she wants to have a Celebration of Life party with all of her family surrounding her when she reaches 90 (in three years). We were intrigued as she told us about her travels, and the love that her and her husband shared. We witnessed the tears caught trapped in her eyes as she told us about her husband and son passing away from cancer only a short time apart, and we felt our hearts warm up with the willpower and love she still has to give. Before we left her shop, she gave us a piece of advice- to be thankful for what we have and never take anything for granted. This woman, named Mary-Anne, is one of my favorite people I have met on this trip. All I wanted was to hug this woman or grasp her hand show her how much she touched my heart and that in that instant, I felt very bonded with her. However, I am a fairly shy person and thought it was perhaps inappropriate. So instead, we signed her guest book and thanked her for sharing her memories with us. I wish the best for Mary-Anne.
After looking at most of the shops, we went back to the tent since there was clearly no rain to come. I was tired from my lack of sleep, so I told Ryan to explore a nearby trail while I got to take an hour nap. On his return, he gently woke me up, and I put on my hiking shoes. We took a shuttle to one of the trails. I looked out the window on the way up the canyon and saw how muddy and swollen the Virgin River had gotten from the week of rain. There was even a landslide that blocked one of the roads. It was a disappointment because Ryan and I wanted to hike The Narrows- a trail that literally goes through the river- but there was NO way I was going to hike through fast moving waters…especially when a woman went missing the day before we got there. Once we got to our stop, we got off and started hiking. We conversed about the animals we saw, our disappointment about the Narrows, and how beautiful Zion was. Eventually we made it the “end” of the trail, or where The Narrows really began. Two men were walking back from The Narrows and I think it got Ryan a little hyped about The Narrows, because he kept saying how much he wanted to go and tried to ask. However, I still said no. I could tell he was upset, and I can say was equally disappointed, but eventually he agreed that it was much too dangerous to venture into the waters during a flooding period. As an alternative, we went back into town and got some supplies for a campfire. We made tea and chicken sandwiches for dinner, and soon after we went to bed.
The next day we packed up the car because we had decided to leave for California a day early. After everything was done, we went on our way to hike The Emerald Pools, which were so refreshing. I took in the scenery around me, and I thought to myself that the canyon looked like nature’s version of New York City…and it was a place I’d much rather be. The sandstone looked perfect against the blue sky that had sprinkles of white clouds. Though it’s considered a desert, the shrubbery and trees that festooned the valley made it feel like an oasis. I can’t wait to come back one day.
Interesting Facts:
1. The average snowfall in the mountains near Salt Lake City is 500 in.
2. State symbol is the Beehive representing thrift and industry.
3. The name Utah comes from the Native American Ute tribe meaning
"People of the mountains."
4. Utah was acquired by the United States in 1848 in the treaty ending the Mexico War
5. Utah has the highest literacy rate
6. Became the 45th state on January 4, 1896
Likes:
1. Very nice people
2. Gorgeous National Park
3. Small-town charm
4. Felt safe
5. Phone Reception
6. Lots of different level trails for everyone (easy, moderate, strenuous)
7. Showers in town if you need them (for a fee)
Dislikes:
1. Did not get to hike The Narrows
2. Ants bite!
3. Some flash flooding in places
Rate: 9.7/10
On our way to Zion Pre-Storm. Hmmm...inspiration for Disney's Cars?
Into the storm!
AHH!!
Welcome to Zion National Park!
Zion
One out of two deer
Ants that bite!
Dusk at Zion
Pottery and flowers in one of the shops
A silly squirrel scavenging for food
An intriguing beetle
Unsafe water/Beginning of The Narrows
Me
Ry on our way to the Emerald Pools
And again
Ry and I
Gorgeous photos! Seriously, so pretty. Good job, lady.
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