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| So many beautiful sites to see on the way to Zion! |
When we got to the Ranger Station at the park, Ken asked Chuck which line he should get in. Chuck said it didn't matter, for which ever he picked would be the one that took the most time. Ken moved over a lane and we paid attention to the car that had been in front of us to see which of us reached the ranger station 1st. We were moving quickly with about 5 cars in line to reach each station, then 4, then 3, then 2 - wow, we are going to get there 1st. Then the pick-up truck 2 in front of us must have decided to try to purchase the park!!!! He was at that window for at least 5 or more minutes while the car that had been behind us in the other lane got through followed by at least 5 or 6 cars behind him. Chuck's comment - I should have gotten out of the car! This is what always happens in check-out lines, gas stations, etc. If only we would have known!
Once in the park, we rode our bikes over to the shuttle bus area and since they could only take 3 bikes on each shuttle, we followed Melissa and Chuck in the 2nd bus, meeting them at the "end of the line", the Riverside Walk and the Narrows. We locked our bikes and started hiking (I guess walking, since we didn't have our hiking poles or hats) and went on the 1 mile macadam trail that followed the River. What a gorgeous walk! When you get to the end of the mile, you can continue on The Narrows Trail, but 60% of that requires walking in the very cold water and it continues for 8 miles. (Obviously you can turn around whenever you choose!). We decided to just enjoy the area at the end of the trail and then walk the 1 mile back to our bikes. We actually passed Alan and his son, Jackson, who had arrived in the area late last night and will be hiking with us tomorrow on Angel's Landing. So good to see him and such a surprise to see them on the trail.
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| Starting the hike along the Virgin River! |
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| So lush! |
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| Phenomenal rock formations....... |
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| beautiful flowers.... |
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| growing up the side of the rocks. |
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| The water drips out of holes in the rocks instead of falling over the rock edges! |
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| So many of those "little water holes". |
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| A shot looking up towards the top of the rock formation of flowers growing along the side. |
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| We went off the trail for just alittle to go down to the river! |
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| Quite a nice setting for a group photo! Love thee special friends and fellow travelers! |
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| This was the end of the Riverwalk Trail. From here you could take the Narrows Trail through the very cold water! |
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| So much lush vegetation! |
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| Hard to see, but 2 people are rock climbing! |
It was a great decision to take our bikes up the hill on the bus and then ride down to the Visitor's Center - thanks, Barry and Deb for the suggestion. It is amazing how much more you see on a bike than a drive. We saw deer, lots of "fat" squirrels, and we almost rode over a large snake that was crossing the road. We also passed a large dead snake, the kind I like the best on this 8 mile ride.
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| So much to see when riding bike! |
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| That rock is called "Angels Landing" and we are hoping to hike part way up there tomorrow. We would love to get the whole way to the top, but we'll see how it goes! |
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| Taken from down below, Ken was able to get a photo of the people who had climbed to the top! |
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| Wow, quite an accomplishment! |
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| It takes your breath away! |
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| Not sure what this lizard is doing????? Maybe just relaxing! |
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| Looks like a large building atop this rock formation, but it is called the Temple! |
The closer we got to the visitor's center the more threatening the sky became. Then it started to thunder. The 1st drops began to fall just when we got across from the Visitors Center. The guys quickly loaded the bikes and when we got into the car it really started to rain. What timing!!!! We drove through one of the Park's Campgrounds to "check it out" and while in there it poured and really started to hail for about 5 minutes. We parked under a tree to protect the car and ate our lunches while we were there.
Back to the CG by 2:45 and I was tired (hadn't slept too well the last 2 nights), so I took a nap/rested for about 35 minutes. Ken did the same after I got up.
We got ready for dinner. Our friend, Alan, and his son, Jackson were joining us for dinner. Fortunately the rain stayed away even though it was threatening and the six of us were able to eat outside. We had grilled salmon, chicken, and zucchini, plus a tossed salad, baked beans, and quinoa. Chuck and Melissa had made homemade orange sherbet and Alan had brought these delicious cookies from Swig's, a shop here in Hurricane that is known for their special cookies. Both desserts were incredible!
We sat outside chatting until 9:00 and then we each went our separate ways. We will meet at the shuttle bus top in the park tomorrow morning at 7:30. It will be an early rise morning!
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