Just Life: Zion

My family has had a reunion at Zion National Park for over 50 years. My Great Grandfather started the reunion and his six daughters carried it on. As nearly all of the second generation have passed on, it is carried on by those of us who love their memory and the heritage they left us. My heritage has always been very important to me. I have always stood in awe of the people who came before me. Despite the adversity in their lives they always stood valiant and saw the glass as half full rather than half empty. I love Zion despite it 100+ degree weather and red dirt, maybe I love it more because of those things. Here are lots of pictures of our adventures.

The red rock and cliffs really make a stunning view

A tunnel was built through the mountain sometime during the first half of the 1900's. I don't remember the date. This is one of the windows that is cut out of the rock as you drive through the mile long tunnel. The tunnel was not built tall enough for our massive, modern day motor homes so the traffic has to take turns. Only one side can go through at a time because the motor homes have to drive down the center of the tunnel.

It is somewhat hard to see, but if you look closely in the lower left hand corner of the picture you will see the window of the tunnel. I wanted to capture just how far down the cliff the tunnel is located.

During my lifetime I have gone to Zion approximately 15 plus times but I never saw a rattle snake...until this last trip. Luckily it was sitting off the trail about 10 feet and was not moving at all. If it had I am sure I would have run away screaming. I hate snake!

Chris and I started playing with the kids and I taught them how to make mud balls (I know I'm a bad influence). Chris decided that he wanted to make a mud ball snowman so here is our creation.

The day before we left we decided to hike Angels Landing with my uncle and cousins. We were all leaving that day but my uncle had a long drive and wanted to hit the road early. The first shuttle into the park left at 5:45 so my uncle wanted to be on it. Chris thought we were absolutely crazy to go hiking at that hour. I did not think much of it because I grew up hiking at odd hours in the morning. A couple of years we went to sand dunes that are about a hour away and we left at 4:00 am. Luckily I talked Chris into going that early and he was only a little grumpy ;-) The photo above is a shot of the last .5 mile of the hike. The hike is 2.5 miles one way but the last .5 mile is a little more treacherous. There are chains and steep drop offs. There are a couple of parts that are a little scary and you have to be careful but it isn't too bad.
Evidence of the early hour

This chipmunk was on top of Angels Landing and as you can see it was really friendly. That is Chris's shoe. He went away empty handed, we did not have any food.
The crew on top of Angels Landing

After Angels Landing Chris and I walked to the Narrows. I wanted to walk up a little ways but we were both too cold. The weather this year was a bit more mild, especially in the morning. We will have to go back another time for more hikes.

This is at the narrows as well but it was earlier in the trip. Chris originally thought that he had a test in his geology class, but he claims that his syllabus was wrong..sure.. :-) J/k he showed me his syllabus and he wasn't just trying to get out of a family reunion. I went down to Zion on Thursday and he came on Saturday. In the above picture I am helping my little cousin surf on the current.