BIG Boned...(Flashback)

Back on March 1st, we published an initial update on our visit to Zion...but it deserves so much more than what was originally mentioned...

But first, a message from our sponsors:

If you are feeling tired, worn out and no energy - 

That means you're over 60. 

So go ahead and pay the one-time $80 bucks to get a lifetime - all inclusive Senior Pass to access allll 62 National Parks, and hundreds of National Preserves and National Monuments...

And the Senior Pass covers the entry fee for everyone in the vehicle, no matter their age! 

It's good for you - good for America - 

And will help cure bunions and warts.

Now, there are two ways to drive into Zion National Park...

We recommend the East entrance...the Mount Carmel highway!

And our Zion adventure actually started at the Ranger Station at the East entrance...

Rather than the customary "Thank You for showing your Senior Pass Mr. James - here's your Park map, go right ahead"...instead they said, 

"That will be $15 dollars...Thank You".

Now, Clyde is what we call 'big boned', or sometimes we say 'wide in the hips'...he's a dually, slightly raised...he's an intimidating big truck!

The Ranger called him "fat".  I asked them not to say it so loud.  He may be big, but he's sensitive. 

To add further insult, they were charging us $15 bucks just because of Fat Clyde!

You see, the East entrance has a mile long tunnel built for two-way traffic, the Mt. Carmel tunnel, built in 1930 - but built to 1930 car standards, only 21 feet wide, narrow and twisty.

So with "fat" vehicles, anything over 7 feet 10 inches wide, they have to stop the traffic in one direction to allow the fat mobiles to drive down the middle of the tunnel.

That will be $15 bucks please to stop the traffic!

But it's worth it to use the East entrance!!!

 - Spoiler Alert - 

So envision being the first fat vehicle in a long line of fat vehicles, a relaxing drive down the center of a dark, winding tunnel...preparing to exit the tunnel...

And when you reach the tunnel end...

You are launched out into mid-air, suspended a few thousand feet above the canyon floor.

And you think fast...death gripping the steering wheel with tight clinched fingers...

Wait...I entered the tunnel at ground level...yet I'm exiting the tunnel, suspended in thin air, 2000 feet above the valley floor...

With only a two foot tall roadside barrier to hold you back from plunging to the valley floor far, far below...

Me, I just closed my eyes and let Clyde figure it out... 

It ain't for the faint of heart! 

But it's stunning!!!

When you pop out of the dark, narrow tunnel...

You're slapped in the face with bright sunshine...

And one of the most colorful, wide panoramic views with multishades of ochre, sienna and green, ever imagined.

It was epic...

Sheer visual overload. 

I actually started to cry...I had to pull off the road...really...it was that stunningly beautiful...

Now, I'm told that real men do cry...and emotion is OK...don't push it down...just don't let it control you...(how did I do on that Jens?) 

But even now, writing this flashback 7 months later, just thinking about that sight, the beauty upon emerging from the tunnel, I am doing it through tears...

It was awesome...a word so often overused that I seldom ever use it.

This truly was.

And the Mormons have named every peak, every overlook, every rock formation...

I'll not bore you with all that, but will (finally!) go silent and let you enjoy some scenery...

Once you maneuver the twisty switchbacks and finally get down to the valley floor, there are a series of park roads, the Visitor Center and hikes...lots of hikes.  

Early March was not too busy, so we chose one of the favorites, a hike on the river trail, a 2 mile dry hike up to the source end of the main river running through the valley.

One can then continue on further into the canyon, called 'The Narrows', either hiking in the river getting your feet wet, else hiking in waders.

Since we packed in water, but no waders...

...we chose to finish this part of our Zion adventure at the water's edge!

We made one last scrappy little hike on our way out of the park.  It was mentioned in our original post.

It was not a long trail, but narrow and high...not like thousands of feet high, which was saved for the final vista at the destination...

But 30 and 40 foot high drop offs, enough to hurt, but maybe not kill you...and with only a 2 foot wide walking trail at some points...

Some of it underneath caprock overhangs... 

And one section with a hand rail...

But most sections left little margin for error.

And a herd of desert mountain goats were the welcoming committee at the destination...

And once again, the Destination was worthy of the Journey!

Zion Valley...late afternoon...

From 2000 feet above the valley floor...

And two adventurers...

Still loving each other...

And still loving the journey...

In reflection while writing this flashback...now 7 months later...

I was truly unprepared for the beauty of Zion in Utah...

And ya' know...

I can't even begin to imagine how much greater the beauty of the real Zion will be...

Let the adventure continue...