Zion National Park

March 24, 25, 2010 (Wednesday, Thursday)

Wednesday we left Monument Valley and drove to Kanab, Utah. The road from Monument Valley passes over the Glen Canyon Dam which is an interesting area because geographically it is fairly treeless and barren, but the Colorado River winds through the area, providing a blue ribbon of relief from the desert and giving boaters a paradise of access and leisure opportunities.  Consequently, the nearby town of Page is bustling with retirees seeking the good life.  After having lunch at the dam overlook, we continued on our way leaving Arizona and entering southern Utah.  Once you cross the border, the landscape changes rather noticeably.  Gradually the sandy, forlorn desert gives way to scrubby trees and brush that dot the red, black, purple and grey hillsides. Around each bend there seems to more beauty with gorgeous hills showing the earth’s evolutionary past, as huge plates of red sandstone were thrust up in a variety of angles and then sculpted by wind and rain to reveal an unending variety of colorful patterns.  As when we approached Monument Valley, we wanted to stop every few miles to take pictures.  Eventually we entered Kanab, an old, historic western town that, like so many in this southwest area, served as the site for some classic films. We returned to the Kanab RV Corral, spotless and comfortable, run by a German couple, where we stayed last year.

On Thursday morning we set out for Zion National Park, one of our very favorite sites last year.  We spent half a day visiting areas that we enjoyed, hiking along the Virgin River that winds through the park, and then made our way to St. George, Utah, at the end of the day.   (Notice the picture of the bison sculpture: While walking through the town of Kanab, Clifford suddenly stopped in his tracks and refused to walk past this menacing beast.There is one of a beetle we came across showing us his backside!  And the rest are of Zion and the road into the park.)