Zion National Park

Friday:
Left Lone Rock about 8:30 heading for Zion National Park. Did some last minute grocery shopping in Kanab and topped off the gas tank. This is a very rural part of UT. Towns are few & far between. There is a mile long tunnel leading into Zion from the East Entry. Oversized vehicles, i.e. RV’s, need to pay a $15 fee to use the tunnel. Oncoming traffic is stopped so you can drive down the center of this narrow tunnel.
Our campsite is nice. Lots of privacy to the rear plus a short walk to the Virgin River. Just outside the entry to Zion, is a group of shops, a deli, ice cream store, etc. Took a walk out there and bought an ice cream cone. Carol said this is her type of National Park. Electric hookups in the campground, nice places to walk and an ice cream store.  In addition, the main Visitor Center is right next to the campground.
There are two paved, accessible, trails in Zion. Pa’rus and Riverside Walk. Dogs are allowed on the Pa’rus Trail. We walked along some of the Pa’rus trail today because it starts near the Visitor Center. This trail follows the path of the Virgin River. We inquired if Carols scooter could get on the shuttle bus. It can!!. Tomorrow we’re going to take the shuttle to the end of the line and walk the Riverside Walk trail.

Saturday:

After breakfast & walking the dog, then waiting for it to warm up some, Carol & I took the park shuttle. The shuttle has a ramp/lift that extends to allow a scooter or wheelchair, to board. Very nice. We rode to the last stop; the Temple of Sinawava then walked the Riverside Walk “A beautiful, shaded walk that meanders through forested glens, following the path of the Virgin River into a high-walled canyon.” It was a very enjoyable 2 mile walk. The entire thing was paved with only a few steep places where I pushed the scooter up the hill.
The shuttle ride was very enjoyable. The driver narrated the ride so you knew what you were looking at.
After dinner, we walked to the store for an ice cream cone.

Saw a bumper sticker on an RV today. “When there is a storm you can either stay inside or you can dance in the rain”.

Another perfect day.


Sunday, October 26, 2008

About 11 am we went for a walk on the Pa’rus Trail. About 3.5 miles round trip. Mostly it followed the path of the river. Now & then we would stop to let Gopher cool off and get a drink. It was in the mid-80’s this afternoon. Carol just loves it