Zion and "the Narrows" hike

I did not set an alarm and was hoping I would get up early, like I usually do. Of course I got up at 2:30am, and I woke up again at 4 am, and finally got up at 5am. My goal was to leave at 6:30am to catch the shuttle bus, taking us 8 miles into this slot canyon, towards "the Narrows." I took my time and walked Jo Jo in the pitch-dark when no one else seemed to be up. I had my coffee, grilled up my breakfast burrito, and at 6:30 I did the 10 minute walk to the shuttle station, in the dark, using my cell phone flashlight. Boy, it was chilly this morning. I was convinced that I was going to be extra early, but low and behold, probably 100 people were already ahead of me,  standing in line!!! Not so bad, as I got on the third shuttle bus about 15 minutes after 7 am. From there it dropped us off about 20 minutes later at the end of the road, where we could hike "The Narrows." It's a 2 mile round trip to get to the river. By the time I got to the end there was a flood of people behind me, all dressed up in their weatherproof pants, and waterproof shoes prepared to walk in the water. It's the Virgin River. I had no plans to walk through the water, even though they said it was 57°, but the outside air temperature was 37°. In the meantime I met a couple from Indiana who took some photographs of me, as I did of them. They too had no plans to walk through the water. But it was fun watching others do so, as I had the remaining bit of my coffee and some dried fruit. By the time I headed back I made a couple additional spots stops including a hike on The Grotto Trail, which was a 1/2 mile long, where I met a very sweet couple, a young woman probably in her 30's or 40's, who was rolling along in her wheelchair. So even though I have replacement joints, I still think I did okay for someone like me, at my age, at the end of the day. I did not know her condition. This morning I did a 2.5 mile hike.

I have to say as a desert gal, I am not used to this cold weather. I had to leave Jo Jo in the RV, as dogs are not allowed on the shuttle bus, or on National Park trails, except for a few. So it's the reason I left well before dawn, to try to be back in time before noon. All was well, thankfully, but it was 49° in the RV, when I returned. I left a fan blowing and a window cracked hoping it wouldn't get too hot. But in this narrow canyon, the sun doesn't even enter in until mid or late morning. Until then, everything is in the shade.

I spent some time in the RV with the heater cranked, and made more coffee in an attempt to warm up with dog cuddles. Fortunately I have full electric hookup, so the electric heater was working exceptionally well. It's actually the first time I have used the electric heat option (instead of my usual propane), in the Sylver Gypsy. There's always a chance that things might not work, but lucky for me, it worked beautifully. After lunch I took yet another walk on the Pa'rus Trail which does allow dogs, which parallels the other camp site which I will be staying at on Sunday night. The sky is brilliant blue, and the air is very crisp, and what a perfect time to be out walking around. It's really the optimum time of year, even though there are tons of people here. The ranger, from the shuttle bus, mentioned that 20,000 visitors come daily! And 600,000 a month! He told us the rules, including not to litter. Duh! Too bad people need to be told not to do this.

Jo Jo got stranger love, on the Pa'rus Trail, and offered a comedy event, in his spiked coyote vest. He certainly grabs attention. But remains as humble as he is.


























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