Day 58 - A Very Relaxing Day!

Ken was awake at 6:30, but I didn't get up till 7:15.  I "caught up" on my diary and then we slowly got ready for the day.  I did talk to Lanie and she confirmed that Pap really had gone backwards yesterday.  She wasn't sure he knew who she was!  I was very thankful that she made the trip yesterday to pick-up my mother, take her to the hospital, treat her to lunch, and then take her back to Masonic Homes.  A lot of driving for Lanie!

After packing our lunches and eating our breakfast outside, Ken cleaned up while I did some work on our blog.  Jamie called and she, Dane, Bria, and Cali were on their way home from visiting Pap.  No change from yesterday.  She wasn't sure he recognized any of them and mostly just stared and nodded.  So sad for them to see him that way and so sad for him too!  The blood tests showed about the same results as the last one, so very little change there.  Tomorrow they will do some additional tests and x-rays to try to determine why he has had such a radical change in his mental state.  So, we will wait and see!

At 10 we left in Gregory's CRV to go into Zion Park to return one of Chuck's t-shirts and by some additional "souvenirs.  We stopped in Springdale, a great little village right outside of the National Park and sat outside Cafe Soleil (thanks Barry and Deb for the recommendation) enjoying some Chai and a delicious pastry.  What a setting!

Driving towards Zion!

Getting close to Springdale!

A very nice coffee shop and luncheon cafe!

How about this for a view?????

From there we discovered you could park in a lot where you could walk into the park through a different gate.  It led right to the Visitor's Center - how convenient.  We bought our souvenir pins and some postcards of Angels Landing.  Then we rode the shuttle to Zion Lodge so Chuck could check out their t-shirts for one last time.  Ken was happy to sit outside enjoying a craft beer and taking in the scenery.  Took the shuttle back to the Visitor's Center and walked to the CRV.

Ken is toasting Angels Landing!

Some more people hiked to the top today!

Back to the parking lot in Springdale!

From there we drove to Kolob Canyon on the other side of Zion National Park.  You can't access that area from the main part of Zion.  It is a 5 mile drive through the canyon and we stopped at the end to enjoy our lunch at a picnic table overlooking the scenic area.   Ken enjoyed taking more photos on the way back down to the main highway.

The Visitor's Center for Kolob Canyon

So beautiful!

A blooming prickly pear cactus!

Another great view for eating our lunches!

The next picture is a photo of this area!

Ken and Chuck thought this looked like a gorilla.  I saw a doggie,
but now that I put it in this blog, I think Chuck and Ken are
right - a gorilla!

Looking into the canyon!

In this area the speed limit is rather FAST!!!!!

  
Back to the CG by 4:30 and I downloaded the photos.  Ken worked on our driving routes for our next several stops on this trip.  Yesterday Chuck and Melissa decided that after we leave here on Tuesday, they will start a slow trip back to Nashville and will not be able to be with us on anymore of our adventure.  It made us sad to think that our time together is about to end, but it has been wonderful.  Ken and I will have to change our routine and revamp how we "do this trip" without our special friends.  This part of the trip with them has been amazing and none of us are ready to go our separate ways.  We have had way toooooo much fun sharing all the special moments.  What memories we have created!

At 5:45 we got together for snackies (as Chuck calls them) and Happy Hour. We keep finding so much to talk about.  Then we stayed outside and played Pinochle and Skip-Bo.  The women won both games again!  It was amazing.  We went inside around 10 and Ken did the dishes while I worked on the blog.

I did talk to my mother who visited Dad this afternoon.  Still no change.  Hopefully the doctors will find some answers tomorrow!  Keep the prayers going, please!!!