Final day

Today was a leisurely day. We were not in a hurry to do anything. had a great breakfast at the spotted dog cafe. Sat outside and they had a delicious breakfast buffet.



Ou r agenda only required the Emerald Pools.
We took the tram to the Zion Lodge stop to begin the hike.

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Today was hotter than any day so far. It was very clear when we began the hike. It was a flat easy hike to the first Pool but the sun was strong!






The first pools were really nothing but the water fall was very pretty. I can just imagine what it would have been like earlier in the week.



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The trail clung to the cliff and as you walked you were under the waterfall.








This is still underneath the rocks.





We then continued to the second pool. It got a little steeper and rockier as we climbed.



The last part of the trail was in the shade and when you come round the bend there is an area in a little canyon. Its the last pool and it was very peaceful. We sat their for a while and just enjoyed the cool shade aand the sound and spray of the water.





The climb down was beautiful again as you see another perspective. We then checked out the Lodge.






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What a great trip. it's back home tomorrow.

Zion day 3

Today we decided to drive to Bryce. Got on the road at about 9:30 and made it there in about two hours. It was a beautiful drive.




As you get closer to the park you see the red rock hoodoos.




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it was pretty overcast as we got into Bryce and it had to be 10 degrees cooler. So glad we threw in jackets, they were definitely needed.

First stop was sunset point where you could hike down into the amphitheater of hoodoos. We started down but did not bring water or poles so decided we would catch the trail at another point.











We then drove to the end of the scenic drive and stopped at the different viewpoints. It was beautiful, other worldly.











We started back and intended to do the hike into the hoodoos but it started to snow .


So we drove out of the park and some people had recommended fairyland so we stopped there to hike down. There was no one there and the trail was pretty easy going down but it started to sprinkle so we turned around.





The drive back was slow moving because of trucks and passing but we got back and the light was again different so had to stop to take photos with the "new" light. This is one of my favs with the shadows and sky.


We also saw some bighorn sheepskin on the side of the mountain right outside the tunnel to Mt Carmel.

Zion day 2

Woke up to a crystal clear morning. We were ready to tackle Angels Landing. After reading about the deaths and how scary it was I had second thoughts. We decided to go to at least scouts landing. our hotel is so convenient we have the shuttle stop right outside the door. Took the shuttle to the Grotto to begin the hike.
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There we're only a few people on the trail and we really got to take our time. it started off as very mild and the switchbacks were pretty long.


We could see the people climbing in the distance. The trail was well paved and pretty wide for the first part of the hike.


You can see the people in the distance. When the trail started climbing up the rocks it got more strenuous. We had to stop often and take a breather and it was getting warmer being unshaded. There were plenty of places along the way to grab some shade and rest.





With each stop the views got more amazing. The colors contrast so beautifully and the green valley below got more and more beautiful as we climbed.


As we got into the canyon the red rock walls came closer together and the temperature dropped dramatically. this was a really great part of the hike, it was cool and shaded and a perfect hike.








the final part of the hike was heavy duty switchbacks called the wiggles.





Finally arrived at Scouts Landing where the scary part began. This group in the picture were doing the angels landing and kept encouraging us to join them That it "isn't so bad"! Well when we got there I thought I can do this or part of it.





This part has chains to help you get up the slippery sandstone. people are going up and down at the same time. Kerry didn't want to go so I left all my things with her and joined the group. I didn't get far before I realized I couldn't do it. It was slippery and people were behind me some people coming down while we were going up. it was just to much and I had to turn around. I didn't want to have a total breakdown 1/2 way there.





After sitting for a while we decided to head down. Well that was easy and we saw the views from a whole new perpsective.





What a great hike, highly recommend it.