Zion

Click Here to See Zion pics.. hit the back button to return here

We took Tuesday off to take a walk along the Narrows in Zion Canyon, Debbie's favorite place to visit. Zion is located at the base of the Colorado Plateau, where the Great Basin and the Mojave Desert converge, and is home to over 800 species of plant life. I am not sure but assume that this is a significant number as they pointed it out on the shuttle ride to the trail head. There is a mile hike to the river after which you can walk up to 16 miles along the banks and in the river down the narrowing passage, lined with vertical walls several hundred feet high, before turning around. The water depth ranges from ankle to knee deep, but in a few spots the cold water came up to the waist. We again rented ugly water shoes and neoprene socks along with hiking sticks to help keep us and our camera from floating down stream. We didn't go 16 miles, but did make it more than 2 miles one direction which took about 4 hours round trip. Pictures (at least ours) hardly capture what you see and feel in this place.

This is a very popular hike in the park and is the only way to get to and see the views that we experienced so hundreds were in the river with us. We were neither the oldest, the youngest or the strangest walking this day. We saw some with more gray, babies in backpacks, and an Amish couple along the way. Europeans seem to outnumber Americans 3 to 1 in and around the parks (an unscientific estimate), a fact that I am sure is appreciated by owners of hotels and restaurants in these tough times.

The day off from riding was a nice break, especially since the next week shows no change in temperatures until we get to Yosemite... til then it will be 100 plus.