Zion National Park...

Hello all - Karen here and I decided that I would do the blog for today.  It's Saturday morning and I am very excited because we are going to Zion National Park this morning. I have been told it is a very special place and we weren't disappointed.  The weather is good we are in for a great day. The plan calls for a route which also takes in an Animal Centre where you can visit abandoned dogs and cats. It is said to be the largest in the US and, having visited a sanctuary in Hilton Head a few years ago, I know I can have my dog fix because they encourage visitors to pet the dogs,( and if we are lucky; new puppies) . From there  we plan to see another, smaller National Park and then home in time to watch the Brigham Young International Folk Dancers in the local College Theatre.

So, we had a plan, (not that everything always goes according to plan) and off we went. As we approached Springfield which is the town at the entrance to the park, there was a fabulous Rock Shop. Now I know not many of you out there would really put the words fabulous and rock shop together .. but I can and frequently do.   So many gemstones, fossils and sculptured rocks. Of course I was in there for at least an hour just enjoying all the beautifully carved stones and crafted gemstones.

Lei gave up on me and came into the shop as she usually passes the time away playing Sudoku under these circumstances .We admired some fabulous, but expensive items and and then paid for a few presents including earrings and necklaces. Then off to the Park Entrance.



Just after the entrance was a theatre that showed the historical background of the area on a Giant 6 Storey screen. It talked about the Indian occupation of the canyons over centuries and how they were spiritual and attuned to nature .  It covered how the Spanish Conquistadors enslaved them and changed their lives into a miserable existence mining gold for their conquerors. Then, a revolt was organised - somewhere around 1680 and although we didn't get the full story - it seems that the enslavement ended - allowing them to find a new life for themselves until the Wild West era. We felt like VIPs because the theatre hadn't run its scheduled viewing with it being a Sunday and a Morman area - so it seems there were few patrons. I decided to ask whether or not they would show us the movie anyway and yep, you guessed it - we got the cinema showing for ourselves alone!  Huge theatre - giant screen and all for us alone - Lei even got her popcorn fix - what more could you ask for?




Lei and me under the Weeping Rocks



After the cinema - it was off to the park.  The most memorable of the areas of the park for me were The Weeping Rocks. The water rolls down the rocks and appears like rain so you can stand under the rocks and let it rain whilst you admire the view from the rock overhang. Below I have downloaded a few videos to show the area. Suffice it to say that Zion National Park is a very beautiful place



There were quite a few deer in the park, so I will bore you with the wild life. We watched a small herd cross the river and , by the time I had my camera out to photograh them they were almost across. Anyway, I shall include it ....

And, of course we cannot leave Zion until I have shared with you the bossiness of a certain member of our group...




Zion National Park



After a drive through the canyons of Zion - we followed Rte 9 - which goes through the bottom of the park - and costs anyone using the road $25 (or in our case - a yearly entrance card to all National Parks and Monuments) as the road goes through parkland.  Part of the route goes through a mile long tunnel that requires special assistance and a guide if you are a high sided vehicle such as a truck or RV (we weren't thankfully - as we had our trusty flourescent green Mazda).  It was a marvellous drive and once through - we stopped for a very late lunch at the Mr Carmel junction where Rte 9 ends. 



So picture this - we are in a cafe - late in the afternoon - there are only 2 groups of patrons there - Lei and me and another group who had also just come from Zion.  While eating - we were both sitting at tables by the windows - watching the world go by.  We chatted to them about their experiences - enjoying the meal - when a large 18 wheeler turns up Rte 9 going towards Zion.  We both think at the same time - 'How is this beast ever going to make it through the tunnel?'  We then spend the next 15 to 20 minutes watching him turn around - and position himself in a gas station side area across from our cafe.  At the end of this exciting time - we all realise that our lives must be pretty boring if we all find this so entertaining...



So - in the end - we leave without ever discovering if the HGV  decides to go through Zion and its tunnel.  By then we are getting late - much later than we ever thought we would be - so we aren't going to make the animal shelter - it is well closed by then and we again discover that the route we had planned back through the other National Park requires snow  chains - something our little green Mazda doesn't come equipped with - so our only way home is back through Zion and the tunnel (you will be pleased to know that it was still open and no HGV was blocking it).  A glorious day all around - just didn't get to see and do all that we had hoped for.

By the way, the International folk dancers from Brigham Young University Utah were splendid and for all you International Folk Dance enthusiasts, June, Chris and maybe others from LMC; it was like going back in time taking lectures from Marina Wolstenholm doing Israeli, Rumanian, Ukranian, Scots, Irish, Spanish and Russian Dances. they were accompanied by a fantastic String Group known as The Mountain Strings ... I really enjoyed it. I didn't ask Lei if she did as she doesn't really go in for that sort of thing but she didn't fall asleep during the programme which of course must be a positive. We have imported a short clip of them for your enjoyment...