Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Zion National Park, UT

We made it to Zion around noon, and we're in the South Campground. 


As we neared the turnoff into the campground, I saw some deer on my right, then when we turned into the South campground, these guys were foraging in the grass to my left.  Maybe I'll actually get some animal shots here.  I seem to be pretty good at birds and lizards, as you all know.  I'd like to graduate to larger animals.  :)

Here's the deer photo:


 Close-up of the buck - isn't he pretty?

Luckily we have a campsite for the next four days.  $8 a night with the Senior Pass.  It's a "pull-through" site, although I don't think they call them that.  I was just lucky to drive down the road I did, because the sites in my row have a road on each side.  I took this photo, then I backed The Palms up into the table/BBQ area where it's flatter.  Here's our campsite:


We were in the parking lot of the Hurricane, UT Walmart last night, as I posted in last night's post.  Well, I've gotta tell you - I was up and down from 10:00 until 2:20, when I gave up and got back on the road.  There was another Walmart in Washington, UT, and another in Saint George, UT, and I decided I'd rather get a few hours of good sleep than lie awake worried all night.  There were a few small trees that lost branches, the light post by my rig had it's lights go out.  I moved the rig about 11, trying to get into a better position, but the wind gusts never let up all the time we were there.  I like a little wind and the rocking The Palms does, but this was really bad.  I don't think I've ever been in winds that bad.

This morning I woke up at 9:30, and got right back on the road on the way to Zion.  I didn't want to get here so late that we wouldn't get a campsite like what happened at Bryce. 

As we retraced our steps and drove through the town of Hurricane, past the Walmart, etc., the wind was still howling.  It was super windy all the way up the mountains.  I was praying as I was driving, "Please let Zion be calm."  It's a little breezy, but that's all so far today.

Everywhere you look in this area you see beauty.  This is just along the freeway:


There are strangely shaped and colored rock outcroppings everywhere, and then the beautiful mountains, one after the other, each with another behind it, and another taller one behind that.  And they all look different.  I can see why people love Bryce, Zion, and Utah in general.  I can't imagine there's another place on earth that has this kind of rugged beauty.

These are some of the photos I took while I was driving along the highway on the way to Zion:









As you can imagine, they are unbelievable in person.  Or in mountain.  You know what I mean. :)

And finally, our next door neighbor:

We have no hook-ups here for four days, but the other campground where we have reservations starting Saturday does have electric.  This is the longest we've dry camped, so we'll see how we do.  I've already figured out the coffee - boil a pot of water on the gas stove, cut open three Keurig coffee cups and dump into the water, heat, strain, and pour into coffee cup.  I didn't have time for coffee this morning, and really wanted a cup when we got set up here.  So that's what I did, I made three cups and put two into a thermos for later or tomorrow morning.  Of course, we can use the generator for two hours in the morning and two at night.  I think.  I've got to look up the regs.

Katie and I are going for a walk now, before it gets too cool.

From Me and My Dog, have a great Wednesday evening, everyone!  :)

16 comments:

  1. You are so going to love the beauty of Zion. Hope the weather calms down for you. We were supposed to have wind today but it hasn't happened yet. Up near the top of the Canyon you just may luck out and see some condors. So be on the look out. Enjoy.

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  2. So beautiful! I'm glad you've invited us all along via your blog. It must be sooo rewarding to be out there, enjoying life & nature!

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  3. Looks like a beautiful area. We find a lot the time, pictures never do justice to the scenery. That is definitely an area we would love to explore.

    Kevin and Ruth
    www.travelwithkevinandruth.com

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  4. Zion is a favorite park. Always a great visit with great photos. While there, hoping you get a chance to hike to Angels Landing.

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  5. Are you taking those pictures while you're driving? Egad! I can't do that.

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  6. Honestly Barbara, you were staying in a town named Hurricane and were surprised by wind?? LOL!! Glad you made it through okay even if you did have to move. I don't think I'd like that wind.

    Your photos are beautiful. I REALLY REALLY want to see Utah. In the meantime, I'll see it through your eyes.

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  7. I'm glad you are posting about this part of your trip. That area will be on our list for next October. I want to go to the Balloon festival in Alberquerque and Utah on the way there or the way back.

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  8. Zion looks beautiful..Katie did a great job taking the windshield shots!!

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  9. Thanks again for the great photos. Might I suggest you add a hand powered coffee grinder and a coffee press to your kit? I have the press, but just recently found a coffee grinder made for camping. Grind, put the ground coffee in the press, add boiling water, wait, press and pour.

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  10. Great pictures as always.
    Wind can be a little scary sometimes.
    I think what you made is like cowboy coffee. When we went up to the mountains for breakfast I used a knee high stocking for the grinds.

    I picked up a small perculator for the rv just in case.

    Have fun.

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  11. I've been in wind like that...only in a tent! I was terrified. Heck, the _cat_ was terrified, and he's usually Mr. Cool. I don't blame you a bit for moving -- I wish I could have.

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  12. I just love reading your blog and seeing the great pictures. It sure is beautiful there. I envy you so! Safe travels!

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  13. National Parks are our most treasured landscapes and what better way to view their astounding beauty than from the luxury and comfort of a passenger train. Train travel is unique in that you can see many vistas not accessible from highway or air.

    Utah National Parks

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  14. This an excellent blog. Its also contains a very best quality pictures. Thank you for sharing.

    Zion RV Park

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  15. I have been in my coach during 65 mph winds. The nice thing, about a Class A, is the hydraulic jacks. The coach moved a bit but they kept it from being a roll.

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