Friday, 5/21/10. Springdale, Utah, is 120 miles from Las Vegas and near the Arizona border. Zion Park Campground is the best! We see and hear the water rushing down the Virgin River and there are many friends for Zack to play with. We register for another two nights and decide to just hang out.
Today we reshuffle STUFF again and put out of site the STUFF we really don't need. Strip bed, do laundry, reorganize bins, clean out RV. Tim continues an all-around RV check, tightens bolts and hinges, connects a gas alarm. Walk to P.O. in town and send mail.
An overland 4x4 backcountry tour is scheduled at 5:30pm. Our guide is Steve and he is driving us in a 1974 Mercedes Benz Unimog 404 (once a Swiss troop carrier) fueled by bio-diesel. First, through ghost town Grafton.
Grafton is the location where Paul Newman and Katherine Ross rode a bicycle to the music "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head." Question: Name that movie! (answer at end of post).
Stop by an old cemetery.
Summit mesa with 270 degree views.
Steve shared his wisdom of the local folklore, Indian and Mormon history, geography, geology, flora and fauna. We were surrounded by unusual rock formations, sage, cottonwood trees, a variety of cactus, lichen growth (colony dating), resurrection moss (changes colors with water), and the Utah State flower--seagull lily.
Thanks, Steve!..for the 3-hr thrilling experience on the hidden trails in Zion Canyon.
It's late evening and we stop at the local grill for calamari, salad, and beer. Zion Virgin Stout is a great beer. Must stock up.
Saturday, 5/22/10. It is sunny and 70+ degrees. We plan the next few days, then bike into town. Famous elk burgers and french fries for lunch at Blondie's. Can't pass up the famous Bumbleberry pie at the Bumbleberry Inn. As evening sets, famous Tim's chicken on the grill.
Seriously Sinatra is playing, XM radio, channel 73--with the high river and the high rock in the background. We are feeling very mellow...perhaps the wilderness is taking over?
Sunday, 5/23/10. Such discipline!.. Tim has been running 3-4 miles on a regular a.m. basis. He is working his way up steep inclines, much like the Notch (Erin knows). Shower, breakfast, secure the RV.
At 11:45 am, we head for Bryce Canyon National Park, Rt. 9 to 89 North. We check out the various campgrounds in the Park and locate a quiet spot nestled in the pines at Sunset Point. No hookups...65 degrees and there are rumors of impending snow! Turkey burgers, mashed potatoes and green beans for dinner. Cloudy night, quiet sleep. Looking forward to exploring Bryce Canyon.
Answer to above question: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
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