UTAH! Part 7 - May 14-21, 2016


We entered Zion National Park from the North entrance and traveled along the Mt Carmel Highway and through the 1.1 mile long tunnels carved through the red rock mountains. It's amazing to think about how much work actually went into constructing this highway and tunnel system, especially back in the late 20's. As we approached the tunnel we could see what drew the first settlers to this amazing place. Driving through the tunnel was especially fun with the large windows cut through the thick mountain walls to expose a quick glimpse to the beauty that awaited us.









We drove through the welcoming town of Zion and found our Hampton Inn Suites Springdale/Zion at the far end of town. We were so lucky to find a room within a mile of the park entrance since we started searching less than 2 weeks out. The Hampton Inn turned out to be perfect for us. Our room was huge and the heated pool/hotub area had a great view of the mountains and an outdoor fireplace to boot. We were booked to stay here only one night, Thursday. We planned one night because we wanted flexibility at the end of our trip. We loved the towns quaint atmosphere so much and of course the amazing park surroundings that we asked if a room was available for our last night on Friday and they said YES! one room was left but we would have to move rooms in the morning, NO PROBLEM! Once we quickly checked in we headed into town to walk the shops and have dinner. Enjoying great pizza, pasta and beer we were captivated by the bright moon cresting the darkening mountain tops, awesome.










The following photos include hiking various trails including a 2-1/2 mile trek to Angels Landing (Google this!). That probably doesn't sound like much, but you climb 1600 feet in elevation and it was, BY FAR, the most memorable hike of my life and I want to thank our daughter for recommending this adventure!

Instead of me rambling on in my typical fashion, I will commemorate the 2016 National Park Service Centennial by respectfully adding John Muir quotes to the photo's. Unfortunately this most famous naturalist died just two years before the Park Service was created, but he was so influential and rightfully has earned the title of "Father of our National Parks".


“In every walk with Nature one receives far more than he seeks.”
John Muir









[img]http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums...UTAH%20Part%207/UT3A8010_zpslx8dfrmm.jpg[/img]


“I am losing precious days. I am degenerating into a machine for making money. I am learning nothing in this trivial world of men. I must break away and get out into the mountains to learn the news”
John Muir

[img]http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums...UTAH%20Part%207/UT3A8079_zpsghz8h0ec.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums...UTAH%20Part%207/UT3A8032_zpsg2lavlms.jpg[/img]


“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn.”
John Muir


[img]http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums...UTAH%20Part%207/UT3A8081_zpsdovlpyso.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums...UTAH%20Part%207/UT3A8089_zpsqfex3c9s.jpg[/img]



“This grand show is eternal. It is always sunrise somewhere; the dew is never all dried at once; a shower is forever falling; vapor is ever rising. Eternal sunrise, eternal sunset, eternal dawn and gloaming, on sea and continents and islands, each in its turn, as the round earth rolls.”
John Muir

[img]http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums...UTAH%20Part%207/UT3A8095_zps1fn2tplk.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums...UTAH%20Part%207/UT3A8098_zpsafmaaqlv.jpg[/img]


“Going to the mountains is going home.”
John Muir


[img]http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums...UTAH%20Part%207/UT3A8141_zpstsgxdon8.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums.../UTAH%20Part%207/ZION202_zpsdna8hscs.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums.../UTAH%20Part%207/ZION203_zpsbdvmyq4h.jpg[/img]


“Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.”
John Muir


[img]http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums...UTAH%20Part%207/UT3A8065_zpsap5ug0oy.jpg[/img]


[img]http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums...UTAH%20Part%207/UT3A8059_zpsetgeks7c.jpg[/img]


[img]http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums.../UTAH%20Part%207/ZION204_zps7evupggx.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums.../UTAH%20Part%207/ZION205_zpsoymmzh9o.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums.../UTAH%20Part%207/ZION207_zpsxwpwayzk.jpg[/img]



“The mountains are calling and I must go.”
John Muir

[img]http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums...UTAH%20Part%207/UT3A8112_zps0yb7xsyz.jpg[/img]


[img]http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums...UTAH%20Part%207/UT3A8119_zpsakpzhtd9.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums...UTAH%20Part%207/UT3A8128_zps3qwsgnuh.jpg[/img]



"Muir tells us we're crazy to enslave ourselves in pursuing material goods, to be too "duty bound [and] business bound." He warns, "We work too much and rest too little." He tells us to seek re-creation in creation. To regain the free-spiritedness of children. To get out of the ruts of habit and find "ravishing revelation" and newness in all the miracles of nature." by Kristen Rogers-Iversen/The Salt Lake Tribune.


[img]http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums...t%207/Angels20Landing205_zpssosbfrjt.jpg[/img]


[img]http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums...UTAH%20Part%207/UT3A7951_zpsjz7gi4or.jpg[/img]


THE END.