Travel Day #11: Zion

For the first time since Seattle, we stayed in the same place for two nights. Day #11 had only one planned activity: hike “The Narrows” at Zion National Park. While there are 8 different shuttle stops from which to start park explorations, I had us going straight to the last stop for one of the more notable attractions in the park: where the river enters the park from the North via a slot canyon. Between the name “The Narrows” and the term “slot canyon” you’re starting to get an idea of what we experienced. Add to that image the pictures of a severe clear sky, 100+ degree temperatures, and alternatively desert and marsh surroundings (depending on our proximity to the river).

Disembarking our propane-powered government jitney, we followed the crowds along the paved path North from the bus stop, deeper into the canyon. It was an easy, relatively flat walk which was made easy because Mom had struck up a conversation with a young couple, relocated from Seattle to the Zion area, who were taking their 4-month old baby and a visiting Texas friend on a visit to the park. Much like the Badlands, once the walkway ends, visitors are welcome to continue deeper into the canyon via whatever path they choose. There is only one choice, though, and that’s to walk through the river. The canyon is only about 20-30 feet wide, there, and even at it’s lowest times of the year, like now, the water spans from one canyon wall to the other. Against our desert-heated legs, the water was rather cold, but not unwelcome. The air temperature was already more reasonable, too, which I think energized us all. Around the first bend, dry riverbeds could be found near one canyon wall, the other, or sometimes both. Then we had the choice where to walk, but, still, many river crossings were required. I had prepared everyone for this; we were all wearing shoes and clothes that we didn’t mind getting wet. It wasn’t hard to get used to the terrain, and so we marveled at the water-carved limestone walls for nearly 3 steady hours of up-stream travel!

We hiked without the camera to avoid accidents. I only brought just one cell phone for pictures, which I double-sealed inside two Ziplock bags, just to be overly cautious. I had two backpacks full of water bottles and water-tight snacks, and Mom had one, too. When we’d hiked as far as we wanted, we stopped and had a snack. It was a sandbar near a deep part of the river where we were actually able to take a swim, too. While everyone else relaxed in or near the water, I walked a little farther upriver just to see around a couple of more bends. I contemplated doubling back and urging everyone else to come and see these new sites, but I remembered that every turn hereto had been new and interesting, as well, so there was no point ruining the outing by over-extending anyone.  Although the boys were begging to return to the RV quickly, they still tarried a number of times to scramble onto a rock formation, play with some rocks, or splash in the water. We didn’t rush them.

I’m not sure what time we boarded the return shuttle bus, but the 3 boys each used some of the 40 minute return trip to take a nap. Mom stayed awake by thinking about the brew pub she’d seen between where we parked the RV and the park’s entrance. We treated ourselves to a cold beverage and a plate of nachos (made with homemade potato chips instead of tortilla chips) before returning to the campground. Once back in our spot, I met the new neighbors, who were a nice family from Germany, and made dinner while Mom did a load of laundry. Mom & Sean found a bundle of firewood and some marshmallows at the camp store, so I invited the Germans over after dinner. They seemed eager enough, and even brought some popcorn to share. JT and Sean talked to the son (14) and daughter (15) while we talked to their parents. It was rather interesting, as the father spoke English very well, but the mother did not. They are both grade school teachers at home, and the mother happened to be a French teacher. So, between our English and French, and their English, French, and German, we had a nice visit, having made a second set of new friends in one day!