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| Sunrise at our campsite |
We decided to use the bathhouse in the front that had the heated showers so I could feel freshened for the start of the day and then grabbed some breakfast from the nasty fast food 'diner'. My egg sandwich was palatable, and the coffee I topped off with the hot chocolate was fine. We ate in the car so we could put on the heater. It was somewhere around 45 degrees and I was in shorts because I was anticipating the hike ahead of us.
It was early and the booth was still not opened, so we decided to drive the road through the park. We saw a beautiful complete rainbow to our right. We stopped for several deer (I always love seeing them and cannot understand how anyone could point a gun at and shoot such a graceful creature...I feel that's a bit hypocritical because I am a meat eater, but I know I wouldn't be if I had to actual kill my own food. That's the day I become a vegetarian...or maybe a pescatarian...I can fish though I don't like it). I oohed and awed at the wildflowers (there weren't many here though). We stopped at a few lookouts, but then the rain came. It poured at times and the dark threatening sky made me concerned about lightening, though we only maybe saw one or two.
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| Natural Bridge |
By the time we re-entered the park and bought our annual pass it was already well after 8 am. We purchased our annual pass and explored the crowded visitor center. We watched their video introducing the park, which really was a waste of time. We analyzed a purchase of a collapsable water bottle (yes, analyze...Chris and I always compare prices and tend to think through even small purchases). They didn't sell any water bottles already filled up, noting the overuse of plastic disposable water bottles, so instead they sold reusable water bottles and offered fresh spring water. I appreciate their responsible take on this. We are a culture of unneeded and excess waste and that does concern me. And I trust spring water more than bottling companies (I don't particularly not trust them...but they are in it for a profit...). So, we bought our collapsible bottle, checked on the weather forecast with a ranger who said scattered showers but there shouldn't be any danger of a flash flood.
We drove our car to Sunrise Point, and found one of the few last open parking spots (they have shuttles into the park they encourage people take due to the lack of parking). I was a bit concerned about my trail running shoes and lack of walking stick after the park's continual recommendation. As we joined the many other hikers descending The Queen's Garden Trail, I noticed how we were better prepared than many, and some were on their way back up with shoes that had much less traction than our own, so I figured then we were fine.
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| Starting to descent on the Queen's Garden Trail |
The descent is incredible. It's one thing to stand at the edge of the canyon and see the expanse of beauty and color that is Bryce, but walking down into it takes you completely into the world of weird shapes, towering hoodoos, the whisper of wind constantly working to erode, the blue sky serving to make the complimentary color of the earth and rock pop. It's truly breathtaking. The trail was full of switchbacks as we went deeper and deeper. It was hard to not stop every turn and take a picture because of some new angle, some new view, some new landscape that was equally as incredible. One area showed more of rolling hills, but also had the variation of color. I cannot describe the beauty of this place. Pictures do a better job than my words, but even then, you have to be in it and experience it to fully understand.
The bottom of the trail brought us to the tree-filled valley. There were a few parts on the trail you walked through an arch - we think was man made. There were some nice spots to sit in the shade and take a breather. We were doing surprisingly well for the high elevation. It was still cool, but I had long since tied my sweatshirt around my waste and was grateful for a tank top and shorts. I did begin to get a bit concerned that our one collapsible water bottle was not enough water for the two of us. It really wasn't the heat but the elevation that concerned me. We ate our Kashi bars early on because we were already hungry. I also thought it might have been smarter to bring more food with us. The 1-2 mile trail had seems so short, and it is. That's on the shorter side of a regular walk for us. But the game changes when you adding elevation in the equation. I took comfort in the myriad of people on the trail - if we found ourselves in need, I'm sure we would have help. We came to the end of Queen's Garden and could either turn or continue on one of the two parts of the Navajo Loop which would take us up to the top at Sunset Point, where we could then walk along the ridge to return to Sunrise Point. We had the choice between the trail with "Wall Street" or "Two Bridges". Two Bridges was 0.6 miles and Wall Street was 0.7 miles. Not much different, except I hate heights and I was very afraid the two bridges we'd be crossing would be scary. Chris really wanted to do the two bridges, so I gave in and warned him that if it was too scary, I might have to turn around, or have an anxiety attack. We would see.
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| Two Bridges on the Navajo Loop |
We stopped there for a few minutes to drink water and give ourselves a little break. Shortly after our break, we discovered a steep series of switchback climbing up the canyon wall. I was a daunted at it, imagining the burn in my legs and lungs as we climbed out, but it had to be done. I discovered it was really quite easy and there was neither burning in my lungs or legs. Good...I was in better shape than I thought. It's all those hills we do around our house. Toward the top I didn't stop. I knew I might get a little nervous at the expansive drop. Climbing up is much better than down for me for that reason. The trails were quite wide and because of the switchbacks, really not long drops, I have gotten worse as I get older with these kinds of things.
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| Switchbacks up the Navajo Trail |
At the top people buzzed taking pictures and getting water. We filled up our bottle and walked back along the ridge. I was so grateful we did the hike. I wished we had time to keep doing it. Instead we grabbed lunch at the lodge camp store and sat at a little table overlooking the pine trees that covered the plateau. My large vegetarian pizza tasted a little too much like cheese on cardboard, but it would do so we could head on to Zion.
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| East entrance of Zion |
The drive to Zion was only about an hour and a half. We entered the park after showing our annual pass and drove through the most bizarre landscape. I remember this part from the first time I was here eight years ago. Chris was driving, so I was taking pictures and videotaping it with my cell phone. The eastern entrance feels like you were planted on an alien planet of rock. The rock looks like it is stacked in big slabs, one on top of the other, which creates this sweeping and swirling effect. Honestly, this is my favorite part of Zion.
We were stopped in front of the entrance to a tunnel. I'm not sure why, but it looked like they were controlling the traffic to it. We were allowed to go through, and I forgot how much I disliked this part. It's long and it's dark. Every now and then you pass by a part where you can see the outside world - must have been a hole in the canyon wall, but all you see is this big vast space and a canyon wall in the distance. We did eventually come out of the tunnel to switchbacks down into canyon floor. The road was wide, and had guard rails most of the way, but I was glad Chris was driving. He thought is was a little funny at one point to swerve slightly toward the edge and ask if he shouldn't do that. My reaction soundly told him that was not a good idea. I think I could have easily let myself start crying at that point, but the rational side of me beat out the phobic side. I wasn't upset by any means, but plunging over the side of a cliff is something I can picture too vividly in my mind, so I do my best to not think that way while on the side of a cliff, so it's just better to not help that mind go there.
I breathed easier when we had descended completely and drove through to the visitor's center. It was definitely warmer here - around 90 degrees. We talked about our hiking options and looked at the big informational posters for each trail. Many of the trails read this is not good for people with heart issues, out of shape, or a fear of heights. Yep, I wouldn't be doing most of these trails. I was interested in the Emerald Pool trail, but we worked out the timing and if we wanted to take the shuttle through the whole canyon (you aren't allowed to drive it yourself in the summer - too many people), it would be too late. We still wanted to drive home tonight. We boarded the shuttle, which had tall windows opened as far as they could go, but this still was not optimal for taking pictures or seeing out clearly. The shuttle has several different stops along the route so people can get off and hike or explore and get back on to return to their cars. There was some informational recordings started at each stop telling a bit about the history and geology of the area, which I appreciated. Chris was clearly tired, and I was pretty drowsy myself. I like Zion well enough, and I would like to do some hiking and exploring, but I'd take Bryce over it any day.
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| Inside Zion National Park |
Since it was late in the day, the last few stops began to fill up the shuttle with explorers and hikers ready to return. By the last stop there were long lines waiting to board. I was glad Chris and I didn't have to wait in them. Looking at the tired and hot faces of most I felt sympathy. We had standing room only and that was quickly filling. We turned and retraced our route back. I sat next to the window this time and had a better view of the river we had been following through the canyon. We saw the rangers leading groups of horses back to their corrals after finishing their rides. That would be fun, but they are always so expensive.
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| Zion |
Chris drove as we left, and I tried to sleep, but couldn't. The rest of the trip home was not one I cared to see, but as we drove through Las Vegas we were given a lovely sunset. The clouds were being stretched and thinned out evenly across the sky in a diagonal direction and turned very pink. That was nice. We switched after we stopped for gas and an ice cream cone. Night had fallen and I drove, but we switched after my eyes were too tired to deal with the black sky and bright lights of the cars. We made it home shortly after midnight. It was nice to be home, but so sad to be there without the dogs. It was too late to pick them up that night, so we were going to wait until the next day.
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| Sunset just past Vegas |
With that our mission trip/road trip/business trip came to an end. I think Chris is slowly being won over to my view that road trips are amazing and great. I am so grateful for these opportunities. I am grateful to be able to serve along side the amazing people in South Dakota and hopefully meet some of the great many needs there. I am grateful to have an incredible husband who is willing to serve with me and to indulge me in my adventures and that he has a job that has enabled us to do this trip fairly inexpensively. I am also grateful to be back with my puppies now :)
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