News from Zion

April 27, Monday

We arrived at Zion at 8:30 in the morning, driving right into the park. Zion suggests that visitors park in Springdale and take the shuttle to the park, but since we arrived early, we had no problem parking. Cars are not allowed inside the park; shuttles carry people from site to site. Zion was cold and windy in the morning, warm and sunny during the day, and cold and windy again in the afternoon.

We decided to hike the Emerald Pools, planning on taking the lower and middle pools only. But when we arrived at a junction that said that the upper pool was only .3 miles away, we decided to hike it. It was a steep climb, with narrow and slippery paths. It took us 4 hours to do the 3 pools (3 miles total). We took the paths slowly with the help of our hiking poles and took many rest stops. We ate our lunch of boiled eggs, ensaymada, and chips at the upper pool. It was 2 pm by the time we came back at Zion Lodge. We were tired…feet and bones aching. Fortunately, our late lunch of cheeseburger and salmon patty sandwiches at the Red Rock Grill in the lodge was truly delicious.

I almost ruined our vacation when I seriously slipped. Fortunately, no broken bones. Dek and I took Advil to counter the aching bones and muscles. I forgot to bring Salonpas and Ben-gay.

We’re staying at the Majestic View Lodge…pretty with logs for the bed and chairs. We have a balcony that looks at the magnificent views of Zion. We had dinner at the hotel’s restaurant, but it was awful. We should just have eaten the Cup-of-Noodles that I brought with us.