Decisions

Hwy 9 (Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway) is closed east of the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel due to a major rock slide--not opening any time soon.This road leads into the park from the east and gives access to the primary hike we wanted to do--Canyon Overlook Trail. To get into Zion, the detour takes and hour and a half instead of the usual thirty-five minutes.

Zion is a busy park and requires a shuttle in town to get to the Visitor Center's parking lot and then another shuttle inside the park to move you around to trailheads.

In 2007, we had done several of the hikes on what is now the Zion Canyon Line and really weren't sure what we would do if we did go.

Our other option was to get a head start and some miles behind us to our next destination..but then we would have to decide exactly what are next destination would be.

Decisions.

Even if it's a shuttle ride out to the stroll the Riverside walk, should we pass up Zion all together?

No.

Even the drive in and out of the park was filled with beauty.

So we went! We were disappointed we couldn't hike the Canyon Overlook Trail, we're glad we spent a little time in Zion. Now to decide where we're headed tomorrow. There is a fire in Yosemite (Dome Fire--40% contained) that has Glacier Point closed and Yosemite Valley smokey--no good views (or photos). This was going to be one of our stops. Now we have more decisions to make!

Dinner was average Chinese, but we wanted to eat something other than bar food (even really good bar food). :)

Happy Anniversary to Us

We spent the day doing what we love. We took literally hundreds (maybe a thousand?) photos. Here's a few in reverse order. :)

Red Hollow Slot Canyon and Belly of the Dragon

While it didn't rain but a few drops today, it threatened and remained mostly cloudy. We made the decision to drive from Richfield, where we spent the night, to Kanab, where we'll spend two nights. Kanab is an access point for both Bryce Canyon National Park and Zion National Park. We want to try and see some of Bryce with a blue sky. We might get some sun tomorrow. Zion is still up in the air as much of it is still under a flood watch. Slot canyons are susceptible to flooding and can be dangerous, so we'll see about Zion.

Today, we took in a couple of the attractions on the way down from Richfield that didn't require a big time comittment. We got way more bang for our buck!

This is the wash at the beginning of the small slot canyon--Red Hollow

As we walked up this wash, we met a guy coming out of the canyon. We chatted for a minute, and he voiced his disappointment that about 1/2 mile in, there was very large (six feet tall, covering the entire opening) boulder blocking the path. He was able to climb the boulder, but once he got over it, there was a section that was impassable. He said he thought there may have been a rope there at one time, but he was unable to go any further.

We decided to walk on back to take a look anyway.

This was the end of the road for us.

From Red Hollow, we drove just a few miles down the road to a man-made, nature-assisted tunnel called Belly of the Dragon. The tunnel was originally dug under U.S. Highway 89 to let rainwater pass safely under the road. While the initial tunnel is man-made, nature finished the job. Over time, flowing water and erosion from flash floods sculpted the soft sandstone walls into unique, rippled, and curved patterns. These wavy, ribbed interior textures look like the inside of a mythical creature's belly, which gave the location its famous nickname.

It was pretty cool!

For dinner, we went Cuban--delicious!