Sand Hollow State Park, Hurricane, Utah
What you have seen with your eyes do not bring hastily to court, for what will you do in the end if your neighbor puts you to shame? ~ Proverbs 25:8
Thank goodness!
But weatherman Blaine informs me that the next stop won’t be much better. : (
This morning, we ate breakfast outside, but were unable to gaze at the lake like we’d anticipated. The sun wasn’t high enough, and two fair-skinned, light-eyed people are unable to face the blazing sunlight. It sort of has the same effect as it does when it falls on vampires. 😊
After breakfast, Blaine turned on the news and look what some researcher discovered! Read and be amazed! We sure were!
And what exactly is Bubble Tea?
Or for that matter, Bao Buns, Poke bowls, and Naan?
Gumbo in Alaska and Sushi in Louisiana?
What’s the world coming to??? : )
Just before noon, we hit the road and drove a whopping 34 miles in less than an hour in order to reach . . . . .
We can see it in the distance!
Watchman Campground, Zion National Park
This place brings tears to our eyes every time we’ve seen it. We don’t know what happens. We’re just overcome with awe and our eyes well up and spill over. Thank You, Father!
One of the Biblical meanings of the word, “Zion” is the dwelling place of God. Maybe this explains our reaction. It defies explanation.
We were getting settled into our magnificent spot, when I opened the refrigerator and the lid for a glass container came crashing to the floor directly between my bare feet. I had the presence of mind to stand perfectly still – – on my tiptoes – – while Blaine had the presence of mind to take a picture. And then bring me my flip-flops. 😊
A broom, dustpan, vacuum and Swiffer later, I believe I have all the shards collected and in the trash, which Blaine carted off to the dumpster. At least the bottom with the food in it didn’t topple! The perils of driving down the road with a refrigerator full of foodstuffs. No more glass on travel day. I learned my lesson.
But note which foot. Even though the lid fell right inbetween.
While I did that and finished getting the place in order, Blaine washed our windows so we could enjoy our magnificent views!
Once our chores were complete, we took off to check out the Park – taking a walk around the campground, then Visitor Center area; which is closed except for the gift shop, of course. How is it that they can be exposed to people in the gift shop where money and items exchange hands and you have to stand next to a register, but you can’t man a Q&A/museum area? They did have a canopy set up outside with maps on the table and Rangers wearing masks to answer your questions, but they kept you at a distance. Must be considered safer outside than inside to answer questions, I don’t know.
Things that make you go, hmmmm . . . .
So Blaine walked up to ask about hiking in The Narrows. It’s the premier hike in Zion National Park and it’s entirely up and back in, yes I said in, the Virgin River. Of course, you don’t walk the entire river, that would be 162 miles, but you get in and walk as far as you want. But here’s the catch. There’s a parking lot that opens at 6am every day, and once the parking lot fills up, they close the gate, barring any further vehicle entrance. And thus it continues the length of the road, at each parking lot and pull-off area until they are all closed. The road’s about 5 miles long, and since the re-opening of the Park on May 22nd, the parking lot at The Narrows is full by 6:15. The last spot on the road is full by 6:30 or 7am. It was suggested that we be in line behind the gate no later than 5:45am.
Well. That’s certainly good information to keep in mind!
There are other places that aren’t open yet, either because of The Virus, or because of repairs that need made, but for today, we’re happy to walk and drive around. 😊
This one is called “The Watchman”.
Once we walked around the VC, we returned to take the Jeep for a spin, because the Ranger also told Blaine that the Scenic Drive was re-opening at 4:30pm, until about 6pm. So off we went!
During the drive, we stopped at a parking lot called “Big Bend” and took in the mountains; the almost top of one is tomorrow’s destination.
Near the top of Angel’s Landing is where we plan to go tomorrow.
Another place you can stop along the drive is the Riverside Walk trail, which you also must take to get to the beginning of The Narrows. It’s an easy 2-miles round trip. Just right for a travel day! And such wonderful sights to behold!
They weren’t doing so well, but they kept going.
They were doing a lot of weaving and stumbling.
It’s very difficult and even painful to walk in a river full of rocks.
But hey, at least they had sticks and each other to lean on.
We made another stop on the way home and took, what I believe to be, the best pictures of the day.
Now that you know what we’re up to tomorrow, put your boots and hiking stick by the door and get a good night’s rest. You’re gonna need it.