One Year on the Road

Entering Zion from the east, we had to unhitch the CRV and drive seperately.

There&#039;s a mile-long tunnel through this mountain. (Circle shows window.)

One of three windows in the tunnel.

For $15 (round trip) rangers hold up traffic so RVs can drive through this mile-long tunnel.

Kate drove the first time, and we talked on walkie talkies through it.

On the way out, I drove.

Me at the wheel, feeling pretty confident.

The east entrance offers the most spectacular views.

Campgrounds in the park were full, so we stayed at the Zion RV Park in Springdale.

Kind of a parking lot with trees, but hookups, showers, laundry, and pool.

And incredible views all around.

To just step out of Bessie and see this!

Me, ready to eat!

Bailey, ready for leftovers.

Our first morning was cloudy and cool, but Anita and Hilary were up and at &#039;em early.

That afternoon we all took the free bus to the park.

Inside the park, free shuttles take you all through the park.

You can purchase and engrave heart padlocks to put on this sculpture.

This view greets you inside the park entrance.

The sky had cleared and the day warmed up.

We walked the mile-long Riverside Walk to the Narrows.

Kate and I had &quot;walked the narrows&quot; eight years ago.

It was our favorite part of our cross-country trip.

We couldn&#039;t wait to do it again with our friends.

The path to the narrows is paved and easy.

Squirrels follow you, hoping for treats.

This squirrel was doing acrobatics for fresh spring leaves.

It&#039;s a beautiful walk along the river, and very popular.

At the end of the path, Anita and Hilary change their shoes.

Kate takes the first plunge into the cold river.

The river bed is full of large smooth stones.

It&#039;s tricky to navigate.

Walking sticks are really helpful.

Sometimes the best path is clear.

Other times, not.

But the challenge is fun.

And the views so spectacular.

In places, it was thigh-deep.

Sometimes hard to navigate with a camera.

But the camera is essential.

It&#039;s too beautiful not to try to capture it.

Even though photos don&#039;t do it justice.

It&#039;s just a wonderful, exciting experience.

At first we thought we wouldn&#039;t be able to go.

You always have to check first to chance of flash floods.

Even under a blue sky...

...a thunderstorm upstream could create a flash flood.

That morning showed a  20% chance of floods.

But by afternoon, we got the all-clear.

We easily could have done this all day.

You don&#039;t want to stop...

...always wanting to see what&#039;s around the next bend.

But it was late afternoon...

And coming back in the dark would not be easy.

So we made ourselves stop after a couple of hours.

We reached this gravel bar.

A time-release group shot.

Then we forced ourselves to go back.

Kate and I had done this all day the first time.

Weather permitting, I&#039;d recommend starting early and packing a lunch.

Looking up...

looking down...

looking next to you...

It is the best experience Zion has to offer.

The next morning, we all hiked to the Upper Emerald Pool.

A famous feature of the hike if the Weeping Rock.

You walk behind a small waterfall.

After that, the path gets more challenging.

But nothing for these two intrepid hikers.

The pool itself isn&#039;t much by Oregon standards.

But it was a nice resting place for hikers.

A place to catch your breath and enjoy the views.

And the views from the trail are quite good!

Weeping rock from above.

Lizard on the trail.

Blooming prickly pear cactus.

Other pretty blooms.

River at the bottom of the trail.

In the afternoon, I rode my bike east of Springdale.

Funny Tim Burton-like western town for tourists.

Piles of rocks and recycled glass slag for sale.

The glass was beautiful.

Zion