Zion National Park – Day 1
What a WONDERFUL but extremely exhausting day we had today! We got up early, had a GREAT breakfast, got to know the Spanish couple a little bit that was staying there, and went into Zion National Park to spend the day. You can no longer drive up into the park’s scenic drive due to congestion. You have to take a shuttle which is MUCH better than it used to be. We decided to take the most strenuous hike first (Angel’s Landing). With me being out of shape, Angela kicked my butt on this hike and had to wait a few times for me to catch my breath. The views are spectacular, however.
It’s a 5 mile, very strenuous hike that goes up 1500 feet! In some places you have to hold onto chains in order to keep from slipping off the trail and falling hundreds of feet! At the end, it narrows into a small trail with chains that is only about 3 feet wide in some places and 1200 feet down on either side. We got to this point (see picture below) and decided that we would just watch others do it. There have been many deaths from people falling and when you look at the last little bit, you start thinking of your kids and life insurance. 😐
We rested there for awhile and enjoyed the incredible views! In addition, I needed to rest and get some energy back. It was at this point I realized how much more I need to exercise and not be as much of a computer geek/couch potato! 🙂
The hike down was much easier than the hike up and then we went on a couple of other hikes… One to weeping rock, and the other to hidden canyon, which was pretty strenuous (at least for that time of the day and that we had already hiked a bunch) and had some chains to hold onto as well. You don’t see that kind of hiking in Illinois! 🙂
Probably the most majestic picture in the park is of the Great White Throne (shone above). It is also probably the most photographed as well. Overall, we hiked about 10 miles or so (felt like 20 with the major changes in elevation) and were totally wiped out!
We took another recommendation of Maureen and Warner and went to the Bit and Spur restaurant for dinner. It was pretty good (Mexican food), but it was much more bland than what we are used to, even in Illinois. Warner said that Southern Utah Mexican food is not really authentic if you like spicy. 🙂
After dinner, we came back and went swimming in the pool. It felt so good to get in the pool after the heat of the day and all that hiking! I can’t imagine what it would be like if we had the humidity of Illinois! Yuck! It was a beautiful day, and here, the head isn’t so bad because the humidity is low.
We are ready to go to bed and I don’t think that falling asleep will be too hard tonight! 🙂 We are looking forward to a great day (and a break from hiking) in St. George tomorrow!
