Beautiful, Beautiful Zion

So we decided to encourage the free weekends from the National Parks and take advantage of another visit to one. Of course, Zion was on the top of our list. We hadn't been there since Nick was a baby and couldn't wait to go back! Ben took off half a day on Friday and we headed south. We camped down near Hurricane at Quail Creek State Park. It was really beautiful there and we wished we had a boat. The water temp was like 80 degrees. After setting up camp we went on a little walk down to the water, and then ate a late dinner.




Of course, camping isn't complete without s'mores although the campfire seemed so unnecessary with the oppressive heat. After Skylar did a wonderful Native American hoop dance for us with glowsticks, the night was complete and we were wasted. It was pretty hot and that made it kind of difficult to sleep but we eventually got a few winks before the kids were wide awake at 7 and ready to go. While Ben and I packed up the kids had a super great time looking for lizards. I think Nick was more than a little disappointed that he never got to catch one. He's been aching for a pet lizard forever.
















We headed over to Zion and expected a crowd and there definitely was one-it was super busy!! We decided to drive into the park so we'd have the car close in case of some kind of kid dilemma and finally found a parking place after driving around forever. Then we ate a quick lunch and jumped on the tram to start our adventures. Our first stop was near the Zion Lodge so we could take the trail to the Lower Emerald Pools. I love that trail-it's so beautiful the whole way. The kids, not so much. It just happened to be nap time for Kade and Skylar's shoes hurt and there was much complaining along the way. But it all payed off when we got there. Gorgeous!









After some resting and snacks by the lodge we jumped on the tram and headed to Weeping Rock. The kids were in a much better mood and hardly complained even though that trail is pretty steep for little ones. We had a great little hike and the kids loved all the waterfalls and the fact that they got to take showers in the water once we got there.







We didn't have much time left before we needed to head for home but we decided to make one more stop at the Temple of Sinawava and play at the river there a bit. It was so beautiful! The kids were totally excited about the sculpture in the rock that looked like the Dum, Dum, give me some gum, gum guy on the Night at the Museum. They also loved how soft the sand was. It was almost too hard to leave it. We spent more time there than planned and eventually had to hop on the tram and head back. The kids thought the tram was the coolest, by the way. We eventually made it home around 1 am and were wasted but totally thought it was worth it.


We had such a wonderful time there in Zion. Going there always reminds me of my Grandpa Jensen who once told me that of all the places he'd traveled (which was all over the world) and in all the years he lived (which was 102) he had never been anywhere more amazing. I'd have to agree. How beautiful if nothing more than to wait at Zion's door. Beautiful, beautiful Zion.