The wind subsided after two days of flying dirt, and we woke up to a very different Death Valley National Park with no wind. Ted’s early morning quiet time was serene, as he watched the sunshine grow on the western mountains, holdong a cup of Peet’s coffee! 😉 Then, it was an easy 300 mile drive, past the north end of Las Vegas, to Zion National Park where we were greeted by incredibly blue skies.
After the customary lunch stop at Oscars in Springdale, we drove up the canyon to stay in the heart of the Zion, at the Lodge. After check-in, we hopped on the Zion Shuttle to go to the end of the canyon, to the Temple of Sinawava, and walked one mile up the trail up to the start of the Virgin River hike. This first picture, shows us at the trailhead of the Virgin River hike.
It is marvelous to stay inside a National Park for a night. About 6 pm, most tourists leave, and only Lodge guests remain.
This second pic shows Mike on the room balcony, watching the sun dance across the rocks, as the shadows get longer, and the canyon darker.
Zion National Park moves one’s soul. It’s a small version of Yosemite, with red rocks instead of granite, full of tourists, but the light is special.
