Westward Ho / Zion National Park / Day 11

Another early morning out--left our campground by 6:20, however we really had no clue what we were heading into!!  East Entrance to Zion involved very high climbs and MANY switchbacks, we thought we were back in the Hegins Valley of PA!!  However, the views were amazing as we traveled right next to all the rugged, stately slabs of rock walls.  Even though we arrived by 7:20, the parking lot was 1/2 full and the shuttle line was already forming...but we still needed a map so had to wait until 8 am for the Visitor's center to open.  Only had to stand in line for 45 minutes to board the shuttle!  It was very informative, and we chose Emerald Pools to hike so we could view the "falls".  Granted, the water level is low here, but having been to Niagara Falls, Buckhill Falls in PA, and even Michigan's Tahquamenon Falls....the falls in Zion were a bit disappointing....but the cliffs and majesty of the place took our breath away!  I so understand the lyrics to America the Beautiful in a new & powerful way.

   



We rested a bit on the Zion Lodge grounds, then headed back to the van.  What we totally didn't comprehend on our way out of the park is that you must return the way you entered 😁.  So we made sure we were on Route 9 as we departed the West Entrance; but we were heading west, not east.  About 30 minutes later, on what we thought was a 45 minute drive - we "discovered" the error of our ways.  Oh dear, how to undo the disaster???  Rather than going back to the park and following all the slow & annoying traffic meandering thru the park...and again retracing all the switchbacks; we elected to take the least mountainous route, which led us south first --with an unexpected tour through northern AZ!!!, then back north.  A wonderfully joyous 3 hour trip 😡.  I have to say, Bill offered no blame or shame to the navigator; but the van hated this very long drive in the heat and began balking on those mountains--that's when the tenseness became intense IN the van.  Suffice it to say, with many prayers, we arrived back to the campground with grateful hearts and calm spirits, our marriage still intact!!