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Borrego Springs, CA

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

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.

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                                               Thankfully, the weather was stellar for our visit.

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

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

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

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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.

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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 neat_MG_1098Look at that perfect handoff!  No dropped baton here!  Open-mouthed smile  Did you ever notice how young people today have such perfectly straight white teeth?  Makes me a little envious.

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

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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.

_MG_1119I 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…

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                                                                             THE END!!

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

27 comments:

  1. Sorry you missed the shuttle. Hope Kurt gets a chance to return.

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  2. Oh I am so bummed for you that you came all that way and couldn't find a parking place. Doesn't anyone ever leave that picnic area. Your pictures of what you did see are really gorgeous. And congratulations on your Olympic hand off. You did a superb job. Just wait until that cutie with the straight teeth is 65. No matter how straight they are now, they will have moved by then. :-)

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  3. Well, phooey on crowds! Doesn't anybody stay home anymore? :- ) Hope you like Kodachrome as much as we did ... are you going to camp there?

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  4. Great pictures!!! She probably had braces on her teeth when she was young.

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  5. I hope Kurt can get back to Zion--it's a beautiful place. Stellar job passing the baton! All the young people these days had braces when they were little--they all have such nice teeth!

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  6. National parks just aren't much fun when they are that crowded. You still got some magnificent pictures, though! Zion is one of our favorite parks.

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  7. you did get some really great pics considering you were taking them mostly from the vehicle. . .it is a spectacular place!

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  8. Yeah, you didn't drop the baton, but you still finished last in the tunnel race.

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  9. Zion was by far the most crowded place on our "circle tour" this summer. That drive is worth the 80 mile trip though it is one of the most beautiful parts.

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  10. I recognized some of the spots where you took photos. Unfortunate you didn't get into the Park. I agree with the other commenter, can't all those people just stay home sometimes.........

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  11. That last photo of you reminds me so much of my Mom. She loved the west. Wish you could have seen more of Zion. Doesn't seem like they have enough space even in the fall, can't imagine what it would be like in summer.

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  12. Well that stinks!!! Our friends went into Yellowstone yesterday and said the traffic was awful! Bummer, wish Kurt could have seen Zion!

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  13. Your trip makes me want to go back and read Edward Abbey again....

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  14. Sorry you didn't get to see more of Zion, but what you did see was beautiful. Nice "the end" shot.

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  15. I get why the shuttle system has been established ... I realy do. But that doesn't mean I have to like it. I am so glad we visited most of the parks that now have shuttles before the system was implemented.

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  16. Oh rats...so sorry you missed Zion. You still caught some stunning scenery.
    I coach track at our high school. Never saw a better hand off than yours. Excellent job.

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  17. We visited there way back around 2002 or 2003. There were no shuttles then that I remember. We must have been there during a loll. No real traffic. Wanting to return sometime. I agree with Erin above - glad we visited pre shuttle I guess.

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  18. You and Kurt had a beautiful ride to Zion...you were closer than we have ever been. I do love those beautiful rocks.
    Congratulations on passing the baton flawlessly...you go girl!
    Kodachrome is very pretty. We enjoyed several hikes there last year. Also if you have time the gravel road that leads to Grosvenor Arch is quite pretty and the arch is worth the time...

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  19. That was disappointing, but at least you helped the rangers:)

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  20. That's the same way I felt about Arches. It was so packed when we got there that it wasn't enjoyable at all. Canyon d Chelly in AZ is a great place to visit.

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  21. Judy, you'd better check to see if Kodachrome Basin has reopened. The bridge was damaged by flooding and the park was closed a couple days ago.

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  22. We find that there are more and more visitors than ever use to be..EVERYWHERE we go!! We did Zion 42 years ago when our son was itty..It had almost no traffic then..I do believe that sometimes you cannot go back...things change. really sad.

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  23. You still managed to get some great photos from your rig! Hard to believe Zion is so busy at this time of year. Amazing.

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  24. I had that same problem trying to spend the night a Bryce - completely full and I had to turn around and drive out. I DID have reservations at Zion, so I drove there and ended up arriving early. My visit was later in October, and both parks were really busy. Definitely worth a return visit - I really liked Zion and took the bus tour. :)

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  25. We were 'baton passers' too when we were there in November 2004! No shuttles during that time though and a light dusting of snow overnight! Made for spectacular pics of the white snow against the red rocks.

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  26. Nice Post.Thanks for Sharing this in your Blog

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