Legend-ary Cross Country Trip - Day 12 - The Half Way Point

Explore Day

We woke up at 6:45 a.m. and went to the visitor center to catch the park shuttle. We waited about 20 minutes for our seat on to the shuttle that would drive us up into the furthest point of the park allowing us to hike into the narrows. Starting this early, we were able to avoid the detrimental heat of the afternoons and evenings. The temperature was only 75°.  We rode the shuttle to the furthest point along with all the other riders and walked the Riverwalk path to the river at the narrows. We weren’t in a hurry and enjoyed the views.  This allowed a separation from everyone else on the trail as they all hurried along the path to get into the Narrows.  We were all by ourselves and were only passed by the next shipment of shuttle riders.  It was an easy hike a little over a mile roundtrip that traversed along the base of many sandstone formations and as the path name describes, the path went along the river. The most challenging section for me was climbing down into the river, walking and standing on the riverrock.  I took my time and with the help of my walking sticks to keep me balanced and a hand from Bruce to help me climb down a rock that was the height of my knee cap, I made it to the Narrows.  I was proud of myself and Bruce was too.  He got choked up because he was proud of me. I didn’t know what to do with that.  Did I hike into the narrows and climb between large boulder or scramble across rocks? No.  But I set a goal for myself, a feat I did not think possible 24 hours earlier and achieved it? YES!  We took two more hikes to Weeping Rock and to the Grotto. We hiked 4 miles in all but the heat was on the rise. After our hiking and stopping at every shuttle stop, we were back at our campsite soaking our feet in the Virgin River by noon.  It was just what I needed - cool water, gentle breeze, relaxing in nature. We felt bad Kenobi couldn’t join us due to the toxic cyanobacteria.  

  

 

 

Later in the afternoon,  we went into town for ice cream, souvenirs and an early dinner at Wild Thyme where we also enjoyed a cocktail.  Though the heat was still insanely hot, the misters at the restaurant helped.  We watched the wild turkeys in the meadow as we sipped our cocktails.

Wildlife: Squirrels, Wild Turkeys, deer, lizards  and fire ants

Trailer: Greased the hitch, tongue jack and sway bars.

Reflection: Each day is unique upon itself.  I was so frustrated the day before, our first day in Zion. The next day was a new beginning. The early start brought me a wave of new energy and hope.  I did what I wanted too!  I was greeted with the realization that biking through Zion would likely have caused me a bit of anxiety.  Bikers share the road with and stop for shuttles as the drive on the road. The road is narrow.  Starting on my bike is the most challenging part of riding for me.  It takes a time or two to gain my balance for the taking off often leading to some false starts. The shuttles were frequent which would mean a lot of starting and stopping on the roadway.  On our first day in the park while hiking the Watchman trail, Bruce and I heard the remnants of a bicycle crash. We did not see it, but we heard the crash and pleas for someone to call an ambulance from across the river. I couldn’t imagine getting on my bike after those cries for help. My nerves would have been on high alert.  It was a reminder to me to just go with the flow, good or bad.  You never know what hazards you will miss.