Day 2: Zion National Park

“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” 
-- John Muir


 

We awakened to find our cabin was a little more rustic than we'd planned.  The power went out in the middle of the night, and was out most of the day.  So, no hot water, no food at the cafe or restaurant, no fans...  Still, it was a great night.  Slept with the windows open.  Fresh air and quiet.  Seemed like a perfect day to explore.

100 degree air and 60 degree water.  Perfect mix.

75% of the hike requires wading through the water!

What did you say?  Something about your Queen Victoria?

Hiked "The Narrows" in Zion today.  Such dramatic landscape.  We intended on a fairly short hike (we had hiked to a pool fed by springs first thing in the morning), but the scenery was so spectacular we kept wanting to see what was around the next bend.  The sheer canyon walls rose more than 2500 feet on both sides of the river-- at times less than 20 feet apart (hence the name!).  My knees were shot after 5 hours, but Mimi thought that, after dinner, we should go on one short, "easy," hike to the Weeping Rocks.  By the time I got to the top of the steep, steep grade, the rocks weren't the only thing weeping!  Wouldn't have missed this day (despite the fact that I now have ice bags on both knees!). 

P.S.  Especially for my sisters who still see me as the picky eater who hid the hot dog in Shawn's dresser drawer -- I ate Quinoa for dinner tonight.  See picture below.  Even Mimi said, "Who ARE you?"