Zion Day #3 to Bryce

We woke up to good news! Evan came out of surgery with no problems. We ended the day learning the school trainer is sending Keagan to the doctor for imaging for a suspected torn patella. Both boys are on crutches and Bella is caring for them both. She’s an angel! 

We hit the road and true to our adventurous travel style, we went off roading on a gravel road to the La Verkin look out point. This was more of a pot hole ridden, dust flying, rocky path than a road.

We took the interstate to the northwest corner of Zion to Kolob Canyons, a much quieter area of the park. We hiked a short, easy one mile in and out to Timber Creek Overlook. It was a little chilly until you started moving. The wind was whipping. 

We ate lunch at a gas station and then finished the drive to Bryce Canyon.

I was hoping it would warm up and we would make it to the top of the plateau before the strong winds arrived. No such luck! It was cold -  real cold with 40 mph winds. I got out of the car just long enough to take pics of the various hoodoos on the 18 mile scenic drive. 

When we reached the amphitheater, the star of Bryce, the wind died down enough and the sun was strong enough for us to hike down into the basin. This was a strenuous, but rewarding. three mile hike due to elevation changes. Although Wes was completely taken by the hoodoos, I’m already rocked out. Just let me hike up the plateau in record time and I’m happy. 

I’ve learned that the Utah accommodations leave a lot to be desired. You either spend lots of money or go in scared to pull back the sheets. For tonight I had two choices: The Ponderosa Inn with the attached general store and covered wagon in the parking lot or the pricey star gazing glass domes. Guess what I went for?

The clouds better break because I can’t pay this much money and not see stars. And I might be wishing I had access to the clothing section of the general store when I wake up tomorrow to temps in the teens. I will have no shame wearing cheap convenience store clothing items when I’m shivering. 

Zion Day #2

We were up before the sun to catch the shuttle into the park before the crowds arrived. We were so early no one was even manning the entry gate, but we secured parking and got on the shuttle with no wait. After a mile hike along the river, we reached the entry to the water. We rented all of the cold weather gear, but it wasn’t enough. The water was so cold; the views were spectacular! This was a bucket list adventure, but I had no idea it would be this hard to hike against the current and across slippery rocks. I wished I had packed a beanie hat and gloves.

By the time we returned to the point of entry, the crowds were building. I’m so glad we were there early. I’ve been out of the water for hours, and I’m still shivering. After the six mile hike, we grabbed lunch and headed back to the room to watch the game. 

Our afternoon hike, Canyon Overlook Trail, was just two miles but had a little bit of everything. Rocky trail, paved trail, sandy trail, steep stairs. We took a drive through the park, between the hairpin switchbacks, and into a tunnel to find the trailhead. 

The famous Arch - We took the trail and walked across the top of The Arch in this hike.

From here we headed back to the visitor’s center to park and hit one more trail before dinner. Watchman’s Trail was a moderate three mile hike with lots of incline. The weather warmed up and was beautiful; the view at the top was spectacular. 

After eleven miles, my feet hurt. I’m ready to sit.

Vegas to Zion

It’s spring break week! Our trip almost didn’t happen, with both boys on crutches suffering injuries from, you guessed it, soccer. Evan has surgery Monday, but he convinced us that he would be able to recover at home with Bella. So here we are. 

We were up at 0300.

On the plane at 0530. 

In Vegas at 1015. 

In Springdale at 1400. 

On the first Zion trail at 1530.

Emerald Pools - 3 mile hike.

We’ve been up 20 hours. Time to sleep. Tomorrow is my bucket list adventure: hiking The Narrows. 

Music in March

“What will you do when the boys move out?’ I must have heard this question a dozen times. It’s now been two years living as empty nesters. Here’s what I do.

I went back to school to get my math certificate. I go to the gym six days a week. I bought season tickets to the performing arts center to see Broadway shows. And I attend concerts every chance I get. This was March. 

Then the next weekend I went back to The Ryman to see The Randy Rogers Band. This was a very different vibe with a much older and drunk crowd. I guess those 20 somethings at ZT couldn’t afford to buy the beer, but those mid-lifers were livin’ it up as empty nesters. 

This week we went to a new venue in town to see Tyler Braden and Warren Zeiders.

Let’s see what April brings.