We came in through the east entrance and drove the width of the park, up and down every parking lot we came across and ended up back out of the south entrance, way down on a random road in Springdale, Utah. We decided to picnic at the park just past where we parked (by the public library for nice public restrooms too!), while we discussed whether to stay and fight the crowds or just make the drive back through to the cabin. It was hot, but Hadley still enjoyed the playground! Our kids have played on some pretty scenic playgrounds, incidentally. (Unfortunately, Owen had gotten sick the day before and stayed back at the cabin with Oma.)
We decided to go ahead and see the park, since we were there! So we had to pack up what we needed from our car, hike down the road to the city shuttle stop, ride it a few stops to the park, exit and re-enter the park on foot, walk through the visitor center to the park shuttle stop, and wait in a crazy, snaking line like we were at DisneyWorld, all in 95 degree heat.
By that point, we opted to ride the shuttle to the end and do the Riverwalk hike up to the Narrows. The shuttle ride was enjoyable, with informative, pre-recorded messages that came on periodically for things to look for outside the windows. And my seat-mate was pretty good company.
It felt great to actually start on our hike (it had probably been almost 4 hours since we left the cabin), never mind the hundreds of fellow hikers! But the Virgin River was a welcome, cool respite from the heat, and throwing rocks into the water never gets old for some, so we took a quick detour to the water.
However, there was still a mile of trail before we got to "The Narrows", so we trekked on. It was a beautiful hike at the bottom of a towering canyon next to the river with varying lush/desert/marsh greenery.
My favorite were the weeping walls where water seeping down through the huge mountains finally reaches an impenetrable layer of rock and trickles down the rock face. Mosses, ferns, and flowers take advantage of this extra moisture.
Finally at the end of the trail where the sidewalk stops at the water! You can continue on through the water to the Narrows, but we were not prepared for that kind of a hike. Dipping our toes and ankles was enough for now. Ahhh....
After a while walking in the river (and Hadley accidentally squatting and soaking her shorts), it was time to undo the whole adventure - 2 shuttles and one long car drive back through the park. At least there was plenty more sight-seeing to do from the car! Not too much wildlife, but we did see deer, squirrels, and bighorn sheep, too. (Also, possibly spotted condors, which are hard to distinguish up in the air.)
One of the best things about the east entrance was going through the mile-long tunnel through the rock. It was so long that they had to provide "windows" periodically for glimpses of light. I think Hadley enjoyed the tunnel most of all! Although there was so much more to see, I don't think I'll be coming back anytime soon, unless I can get down there in April/May/October away from the crowds and heat.
After our Utah adventures, we headed back home, and Oma and Papa took a detour down to the Grand Canyon for a couple of days. Hadley made the trip home mostly asleep because she got a stomach bug the day before we left, and it stuck around for 4 days. Just as she got better, I got ill. Then Owen the next day, and then John. Oma and Papa came up to Idaho for a few days and got to see Owen play baseball one night, but then we all started dropping like flies, so they started their trip back home. I didn't get very many pictures of their stay with us, but I think they got some good quality time with the kids between illnesses (dancing performances, variety shows, puppy and kitty, etc.) and came away unscathed. :) Until next time!
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