May 7, 2015-last day to explore around Zion...sniff-sniff

Because we made the decision not to do "The Narrows" today, we sat down last night and looked at all the hikes still left and decided the one that really sounded the most fun was back in Zion's Kolub Canyon called Taylor Creek Hike, which was about 5.4 miles hike.

We got up, had some breakfast and filled our backpack with water, snacks-lunch and headed out. Looks like a chance of rain so we took our rain gear...we sure have gotten a lot of use out of them! But thankfully even on days its rained, its never been miserable and kept us from accomplishing our hikes! And its kept the hikes cool! 

What a perfect hiking day!!! It was challenging in a few places but overall a very nice moderate hike that snaked back and forth across the Taylor Creek...in fact we crossed over this creek, which was running nicely a total of 123 times! It was so lovely to hear the trickling of the water almost the entire time.

The other thing that was PERFECT was the fact that when we parked at the trail head and there were only two other cars in the parking lot. We hiked for 2 hours before we came across the first hikers. In total, we only saw about 30 hikers in all and 10 of those were in a group we came across when we were almost back to our Jeep.

The hike leads you to a double arch alcove that was so neat. It was such a peaceful hike. Lots of wildflowers, the quiet time was perfect.  It took us about 4 hours, then we stopped by the visitors bureau and picked up a patch for our backpack and a couple of books, plus a few more postcards for the kids.

As we drove back, we went to LaVerkin to buy a few groceries for our next meals in Bryce, which is where we head tomorrow.  We are excited about seeing Bryce, but also hard to leave here…its so pretty. We have had a blast. 

We got our shower, aaaahhh that felt so good, then did one last load of laundry. Then we cooked out on the grill before taking one last stroll around the campground before heading in for the night. Met a couple from Round Rock, super friendly so we visited for just a bit before calling it a day! We were feeling pretty sore from all the hikes but our days in Zion have been amazing. Zion is so breathtaking, surprises at every turn and the hikes have all been such a treat for the eyes! Its amazing how much more you can see once you get off the pavement! So thankful we were strong enough to do as much as we did as you really do see the park in a whole different light.

Took a lot of pictures today so here are some of my favorites:

 Not sure why I am standing on my toes...guess the bottoms of my feet were tired?!?!

 You need to always be watchful of falling rocks...you do not want one of those to hit you in the head...it would hurt...a lot.

 As you can see, once again...so many different colors in the rocks!

The picture below...its hard to explain how massive all the canyon, mountains, rocks, alcoves were...but if you look close you can see a grown man standing in the bottom of the alcove...we were right at the alcove...its big!!!

 

 

 We finished out the day by doing a little rock climbing...

we don't mess with ropes and harnesses.

  Hey, it's Oklahoma in Utah!

 Taking a little break with my sweetie.

(Forgive the hair...we had just enough rain that it made for CrAzY hair!

 We absolutely loved Zion!!! It's gonna be hard to match...but we are ready to see what the next 4 National Parks have too!

See you in Bryce National Park

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!

May 5, 2015 Zion National Park...here we come!

We poured over all the options of how best to see as much of Zion as possible! We got up early enough to get into the park and get one of the coveted parking spaces around the Visitor's Center. We caught the shuttle and headed all the way to the last stop on the shuttle, Riverside Walk.

What a lovely hike, which was about a mile of beautiful scenery and at the end of that hike is where you can see "The Narrows"...another hike we really want to do. It is obviously, through a very narrow canyon. You must walk through the water (brr), which can be anywhere from your ankles or up to your hips, the entire time and though it is by all indications a beautiful hike...it is something to check out before we commit. It would mean renting equipment to keep us dry, etc. so we will be checking on that for later in the week. Here is where "The Narrows" start...and then it goes a long way...you can do as much as you want, then you turn around and come back out.

 

The rock formations, the MASSIVE mountains, the greenery contrast against the red rock, the sound of water, the clean air and at every turn on the path something new to take your breath away...Zion is amazing!!!!

 

Here are more notes from my journal from the day...

We took the Emerald Pool Trail…lower, middle and upper pools, the last part of the hike were very tricky but worth the view once we made it to the top. Next, we did the Kayenta Trail, Weeping Rock Trail and Groton Trails. We hiked over 7 miles today and we were both feeling it by the end of the day. What a beautiful…breathtaking place. I love Colorado but this place holds a different level of breathtaking sights and smells. When we were hiking today, you would smell the Sage bush as you walked and the wildflowers…cactus flowers, columbine and so many I don’t recognize all in full bloom.

We stopped along the hike for lunch, and this is the view while we ate lunch...we decided we could get used to that view!!!

This is “the desert” but in Spring it hold so many areas of lush green foliage!

The hikes to the Lower, Middle and Upper Emerald Pools were so amazing that at times, it was hard to hike as we found ourselves stopping so many times to just take it all in and of course, take pictures!

Here are some of my favorites of the Lower Pools:

 

Middle Pools:

  

 

Upper pools: 

 

When we finally made it up to the upper pool, we took a break to eat a little snack and take is all the beauty that surrounds this place!

 This is what tired looks like! Ha. We had a blast on all the hikes today, but man oh man we were pooped by the time we took the shuttle back to our car.

After a full day of hiking, we decided to eat out as we came back through Springdale (which is such a neat little town) on our way to the campground. We ate at the Zion Pizza and Noodle Co. and it was amazing! Best meal yet!

Then some yummy ice cream at the Springdale Candy Co.

When we got back to camp, we changed into suits and sat in the hot tub to rest our weary bones, then showered and returned to our Casita. Sat outside for just a bit before a wind/rain storm started blowing in, so spent the rest of the evening in the Casita talking, reading and going through pictures from today. Good day indeed!!!!!!