Had to pass the baton today

I knew when you visit Zion National Park you should get there early so you can get a parking space to allow you to get on the shuttle.  That was my plan, but we didn’t leave until 9:00.  Then there was the half hour stoppage to allow a very oversized vehicle make the passage down the two lane road.  The result?  No parking spaces available at the visitors center, and no parking spaces open at Springdale where you could get a shuttle into the park.  Rats!!  Even for the very end of September, this park was packed to the gills.

What a disappointment for Kurt, as this had been on his list of places to see.  As we turned around in Springdale and re-entered the park, I asked the ranger where I could find a ladies room.  His only suggestion was for Kurt to take over the driving and go around in circles while I tried to make my way to the VC bathrooms.  I mistakenly thought there would be more facilities available at a park that obviously gets copious amounts of visitors. 

By accident, we found the one picnic area.  I snuck from there on foot to use one of the campground bathrooms.  Not a very bright beginning to our visit.  Our only option at this point was to backtrack along the entrance road and go home.  Tonight’s photos are from that drive.

                                               Thankfully, the weather was stellar for our visit.

These stainings were high up on a cliff face and reminded me of a mountainous scene with a little town located below.

On the drive in, there were barely any spots available at the pull outs.  We were more fortunate on the drive out.

   Those of you that have been here know that there are two tunnels on this drive.  This is the short tunnel.

One of the highlights of the day came as we approached the long 1.1 mile tunnel through the mountain.  The ranger at the tunnel opening asked me to carry this baton and give it to the ranger at the other end since I was the last one in line.  You Betcha!  Kind of made me feel like I was in the Olympics in a race.

Best part of this assignment was I slowed way down for Kurt to get a shot out one of the windows in the tunnel.  Being last, I knew no one was behind me, and no one would be coming toward me.  That was neatLook at that perfect handoff!  No dropped baton here!    Did you ever notice how young people today have such perfectly straight white teeth?  Makes me a little envious.

                                   Our last pull off was at the checkerboard formations.  After that,

we bid a fond farewell to Zion NP to drive the 80 something miles back to the rig.  The original plan for this road trip was to take two to three weeks to make it to Casa Grande, AZ, and the time has gone by pretty quickly.  So, we won’t be making a second attempt to see Zion.  I hope Kurt has a chance to return some day to actually take the shuttle and see the rest of the park.

I made one short detour on our way back near Red Canyon.  I was pleased to get this shot of the moon rising over the stunning red formations.

Tomorrow, we’ll be going to see Kodachrome Basin State Park.  The name of that park has always intrigued me, and I’ve never been there.  Kurt caught me in a photo today in Zion, and I thought it only appropriate that I finally be pictured in…

                                                                             THE END!!

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy