Zion National Park (Utah)

Zion National Park…truly one of the most beautiful places in the United States as far as natural beauty. We were lucky enough to have made reservations at the Watchman Campground inside the National Park and courtesy of Shirley’s annual senior pass, our rate was $9 per night with electric. Can’t beat that with a stick!

Sunday we chilled out and spent some of the late afternoon trying to get satellite reception so that Shirley wouldn’t miss the Red Sox games while we were here. It was tough and I would have given up 2 hours before Les did, but he finally jockeyed the RV around and found the spot that allowed reception. Forget cell phone and/or wi-fi service, cell phone service is spotty if available and no wi-fi in the canyon. It certainly won’t hurt me to read a book or two this week.

Monday morning, Les headed to the shuttle bus stop to catch the park shuttle to the Temple of Sinawava where you can hike a mile into the canyon and then hike into the Narrows, mostly by hiking through the Virgin River. He took the 6:30 am shuttle and we expected him to be gone all day. His backpack contained 4 bottles of water, camera, identification, hiking shoes, sneakers, extra socks, food, sunblock and sunglasses. He was really prepared to spend the day hiking, something he really enjoys. About 9:00 am he came back to the RV with news that the Narrows was closed due to rushing water. As most of you probably have seen on the news the snowmelt has effected many of the parks, most notably Yosemite, with extraordinary water flows this year. Apparently the Narrows is a victim too. The last time we were here 2 years ago we ventured up a short bit into the Narrows but we weren’t prepared then so we promised we would return to explore that area. We may have to return yet again another year. Les will try to hike it on Wednesday if the area opens. I really hope it does because he loves it so.

We did take a walk on one of the trails and put our feet in the river (okay Les put his body in the river, I only put my feet in). The river is running quite fast so you have to stay on the side or whoosh down you will go!

Happy to say that Shirley’s back is starting to resolve with some ice and lots of ice cream!!

Wednesday was the day for Les to trek into the Narrows. It’s quite a scary place to hike and as I have said the last time we were here we hiked up to the river but didn’t have the proper equipment to traverse it. This time Les was prepared with extra everything in his backpack. He left at 6:00 am and returned around 3:00 pm with so much excitement. I am posting some photos of the Narrows that he took. At many points the river was waist deep and chest high at others. He held his pack above his head to get down the trail. I am happy that I stayed behind with Shirley considering I would not want to get that wet! A little water crossing is fine, but chest deep rapid water? No thank you. Anyway he had a terrific time and is still talking about it hours later. I am sure that this will be a hike he will remember for some time.

Off to Bryce National Park tomorrow for a few days before we hit Moab.