May 6, 2015 A day to relax and go at a slower pace..aaahhh...just what we needed.

From my journal:

We woke up around 7 and both were very glad we decided to lay low and just go at a much slower pace today. We were both pretty wiped out by yesterday. Our plans are to do “The Narrows” tomorrow but today we needed to do some laundry, catch up on some stuff around the Casita, make a run by Camping World in St. George, etc. So we drank coffee leisurely and then headed to Camping World. Made a couple of stops at sporting good stores then headed back to camp to eat lunch, do laundry and research out the Bryson National Park area before we head that way in 2 days. We are going to drive over to Springdale this afternoon and rent the gear we will need to do the “Narrows” as we will be hiking in water through a Canyon. Should be interesting.  Thought I would write this while I am waiting for the laundry to finish up. Its been a totally different kind of day and that has been just as good…laid back and restful and just what our bodies needed.

Later in the day:

We had a fun day looking around Springdale a little before going to an Expedition Outfitter that prepares you for the hike to "The Narrows". Obviously the snow melt and Spring rains are keeping the river not only running faster but it is quite cold as it you have to consider hypotherma when taking this hike. They have all the gear to rent but before you can rent the equipment or take the hike they advise you to watch a safety video describing what to expect in "The Narrows", etc. After we watched the video, which was very interesting but quite eye opening...we decided we were not prepared for this hike! We would be hiking against the current going into the canyon and they describe how that would feel combined with you are not walking on a flat gravel bottom riverbed. You are walking on small bowling ball sized boulders/rocks underneath you...which you can't always see because the water will be deep. Though they could provide all the "right" equipment...they could not provide me with a stronger back and Larry stronger knees. Figure that! 

We sat in the car and decided as much as we wanted to see this view, we had to play it safe...after all we are only a few days into our vacation and we don't want to be injured or me get down in my back! So, "The Narrows" will have to be for either another life! We decided there are probably some awesome "Go Pro" videos on it and we might have to hike it that way! As in sit in our chairs and watch someone else do the hard work. :(

I hate it when our bodies dictate what we are able to do. 

We enjoyed cooking out today, something we haven't done much of since we started this journey. We have had several meals in the crock pot but to grill out hasn't happened much as we have been so pooped when we get back to the trailer! So, we got a ribeye and cooked it (I don't eat much beef so one steak will do the trick!), grilled corn on the cob, grilled green beans and bread. Yummy. And we actually enjoyed sitting in our camp chairs...in the recline position and reading. Larry read a lot about our next park and I read a book on my Kindle. Perfect day. 
Also nice to talk to the kids on the phone, write postcards and get them mailed and edit some of the MANY pictures I have taken so far. Okay, more than MANY. :)

Here are a few shots I took just driving around today...when you are in Springdale, which bless those residents hearts...these are the scenes outside their door...no matter what direction you look. Hard life. 

This is the pizza place we ate at last night, just look at the view out the back of their restaurant! Nice.

 Looks at the adorable B&B on the main street...oh to have all those flowers in my yard and that mountain in my backyard!

 Yes, that is my white legs...almost the same color as the Casita! But we actually had a few hours of sunshine so even though I realized I might blind someone with my "Pillsbury Boy" colored legs, I put my capris on! I think this was the last day I wore them till we started home 2 1/2 weeks later!