Days 36 - 41 - Zion National Park, UT

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We went from being on top of the Grand Canyon to five nights camping at the bottom of a canyon at Zion National Park. We had a great view of the Watchman peak (see pic above) from our not-yet-stolen new chairs. I literally took this picture from the chairs.

Surprisingly, we experienced a rare phenomenon in the desert - rain! The drizzle teased us for a few days before finally unleashing a downpour that we cleverly avoided by hiding out under a porch and sipping on spicy margaritas. Who knew cocktails could be such a lifesaver in the wilderness?

Despite the unexpected weather, we learned that Zion is the second most visited national park after the Smokies - and boy, could we tell. The trails were packed with eager hikers, but we didn't let the crowds dampen our spirits (pun intended).

Fortunately, during our stay at the Grand Canyon, we hopped on board the park shuttle system - a nifty bus that zips around every 10 minutes, conveniently taking you to all the best spots. And let me tell you, in Zion National Park, that shuttle is your golden ticket to exploring parts of the park you wouldn't see otherwise, as well as the charming town of "Springdale" nearby. We rode that shuttle so many times, we were chatting with the drivers. Below is the view residents/visitors of Springdale have! ⬇️

And let me tell you, we decided to spice things up by renting e-bikes for the first time while exploring the park. What a hoot! It was a riot cruising around and stopping wherever our hearts desired. We encountered wild turkeys, a blue heron, and some deer - the whole nine yards. But the real kicker in Zion was when we discovered that Steve actually has a soft spot for hiking! Who would've thought? I'm absolutely thrilled about this newfound like of his! So naturally, I proposed we conquer “The Narrows”. Let the adventures continue!

As we set out on our hike, the drizzle had disappeared, replaced by scorching heat and a packed shuttle! Needless to say, I started to worry that Steve wouldn't enjoy the trek. We waded through rivers, our feet getting soaked up to our knees and then up to our chests. I felt like a clumsy duck on those slippery rocks, but Steve? He was like a fearless mountain goat, leaping across the waters and trails with ease. It was like watching a nature documentary in real life.

And yes, for all you hockey buffs out there, Steve is still managing to catch the games. He's loving the fact that mountain time allows him to see the East coast games at 4 or 5 in the afternoon followed by the West coast matches at 7 or 8 in the evening. Go Caps!

Next Stop ~ Bryce Canyon National Park!