Day 7 - Zion National Park
Today was Zion National Park Day.
Took off early; fortunately we had already gone up Rt 89 near Zion and had listened to the construction radio station, which offered information in direct contradiction to the Zion National Park Service website. Apparently there was enough of a problem with the construction schedule that they are only closing the East entrance at night now. Consequently, we were able to enjoy the spectacular vistas coming in via the East entrance, though the road was totally shot and undergoing a lot of construction.
Took off early; fortunately we had already gone up Rt 89 near Zion and had listened to the construction radio station, which offered information in direct contradiction to the Zion National Park Service website. Apparently there was enough of a problem with the construction schedule that they are only closing the East entrance at night now. Consequently, we were able to enjoy the spectacular vistas coming in via the East entrance, though the road was totally shot and undergoing a lot of construction.
I did not remember these views at all from my trip with Alan, and I think we must have arrived via the other entrance. I would have remembered the spectacular tall brown cliff faces, the blind arches, the switchbacks, the descent. It was quite amazing and I would have recalled it if I had seen it.
Once in the valley, all visitors in the summer months must take the park shuttle instead of driving private vehicles. For someone who does not walk particularly well anymore it is a pain in the ass, even though they make all efforts. Actually, since it was quite a distance from the parking lot to the shuttle, Jill borrowed a Park Service wheelchair for me, and it was indispensable though quite a negative milestone in my personal life to use it.
But regardless, once we were on the shuttle it was comfortable and convenient, though they should have purchased Disney style open air buses instead of a more standard bus with windows not particularly well-suited to sightseeing.
Once in the valley, all visitors in the summer months must take the park shuttle instead of driving private vehicles. For someone who does not walk particularly well anymore it is a pain in the ass, even though they make all efforts. Actually, since it was quite a distance from the parking lot to the shuttle, Jill borrowed a Park Service wheelchair for me, and it was indispensable though quite a negative milestone in my personal life to use it.
But regardless, once we were on the shuttle it was comfortable and convenient, though they should have purchased Disney style open air buses instead of a more standard bus with windows not particularly well-suited to sightseeing.
For round one, we all drove up to the head of the valley and back, taking in the sights. Then it was back to the visitor’s center for a picnic lunch, after which the girls did round 2. They got on the shuttle again and took a walk to the Emerald Pools and checked out the Lodge. Nice but really hot, and Kristen says Jill was “dying”.
They picked me up at the Visitor’s Center a couple of hours later, where I had been keeping cool next to a giant AC unit, reading Tom Sawyer on my iPad. And having a long chat with a Ranger from Britain (!) who had formerly worked on Wall Street and then moved to St. George Utah. A nice guy who thinks Utah is a great place to retire, as long as you don’t need a job... then the Mormon thing might interfere. He did say they have a great community that really bailed out the town (so to speak) after some bad flooding a couple of years ago.
The girls had a nice time, though by mid afternoon it was hot was hot as hell and not conducive to hiking. The bus driver said this was a “breather” week before the real crowds began after the Fourth of July. The park did not seem crowded at all.
They picked me up at the Visitor’s Center a couple of hours later, where I had been keeping cool next to a giant AC unit, reading Tom Sawyer on my iPad. And having a long chat with a Ranger from Britain (!) who had formerly worked on Wall Street and then moved to St. George Utah. A nice guy who thinks Utah is a great place to retire, as long as you don’t need a job... then the Mormon thing might interfere. He did say they have a great community that really bailed out the town (so to speak) after some bad flooding a couple of years ago.
The girls had a nice time, though by mid afternoon it was hot was hot as hell and not conducive to hiking. The bus driver said this was a “breather” week before the real crowds began after the Fourth of July. The park did not seem crowded at all.
Back out the awesome East Entrance (much more spectacular than the valley) and back home to the pool, which hit the spot. It’s been clean since Day 2, even though the water is a bit cool. Anything feels good in 100 degrees!
Jill picked up a Rotisserie chicken for dinner which was perfect.
Day 8 >>>
Jill picked up a Rotisserie chicken for dinner which was perfect.
Day 8 >>>
