17 & 18 April 2018
We are so ready to leave Vegas. It was cool and all that, we saw a lot, and some we can’t un-see, no matter how much soap I use in my eyes….but it is time to move on. Let’s get back to exploring the great southwest. We have a short drive up 15 to St George, Utah.
We stopped at a BLM Office and visitors center, bought some maps, and armed with more public land camping information. Off we go, heading to towards some BLM area off Sheeps Bridge Road between the town of Hurricane (pronounced “Hurcan”) and the town of Virgin.
We go to within a mile of that road, and off to the right I see some campers out in the middle of nowhere. I turn right, go down a slightly paved road, and I look up on top of the hill to the left was an open spot with a rock campfire ring. Perfect, up the dirt road and we found home for a while! It’s not the location we were looking for, but so what, we can see it right across the ridge.
The next day we are were off to Zion National Park, 15 miles away on Hwy 9. The small town of Springdale, a gateway to the park, are spending alot of money on widening the streets so they can add paid by meter parking, miles before the Zion park entrance.
The park shuttle bus system routinely stops at the many stops in town to transport tourists to the Zion Visitor Center.
Zion is the most visited park in Utah, and they say it gets very crowded, and hot. Fortunately, we are “early” in the season. It is not crowded at all and the weather is sunny and 78. Perfect.
The park provides a shuttle bus service that runs thru the park. There are nine (9) stops that have hiking trails off the main road. Cars are not allowed on this route. Only the shuttle bus.
So we hop on the bus, and decide to ride the bus all the way down to the end at stop nine. There is an “easy” hike of 2.2 miles alongside the Virgin River, all the way back into the “Narrows”. At the “Narrows” the canyon walls squeeze the river and you can walk up stream. We did see many folks walking around with rented waders and boots taking that challenge. We decided not to be that adventurous, unless you count us stepping into the waters, lol. Lots of signage everywhere, cautioning the river walker to be alert for deadly flash floods.
Beautiful day, wonderful weather, life couldn’t be better!
Home sweet home. Thanks for the memories. Mother nature in her raw beauty. I appreciate the refresher and know you and Ann Marie are in awe with the beauty of this great earth. We are enjoying your journey.