Spring Break 2021: Zion

We took what can be considered our first real trip with the boys for Spring Break 2021.  We visited Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah and had a great time. 

Years ago Lisa and I made a decision to use Disney as our go to vacation spot while the boys were young.  I remember what I was like as a kids being dragged through museums, parks, and to shows so my mom could give us “experiences”. What I remember most from those trips is my poor mom trying to wrangle two rambunctious boys who were mostly interested in if the place had video games to play.  Kids just don’t appreciate those things at young age. Yes, we have visited other places for a few days here and there; Washington D.C., Myrtle Beach, New York City, and Nashville; but those weren’t BIG adventures.  Now at 13 and 10, TJ and Grant are ready for some real life experiences.

I should pause here to note that in 1980 my mom packed an Oldsmobile Omega with bags and two boys, ages 13 and 10, and for the next six weeks embarked on a trip across the USA. We stayed in Motel 6s or with friends. We visited Chicago, Wisconsin Dells, the Corn Palace, Wall Drug, Mount Rushmore, Lake Tahoe, Yellowstone, Yosemite, San Francisco, LA, Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, St. Louis and so much more.  It was an amazing adventure that I wish I had could remember in greater detail. Susan Brown was an incredibly brave mom.  Thanks mom.

We flew on a packed flight to Las Vegas and drove two hours to Apple Valley, UT for our visit to Zion.  We drove three miles down a dirt road, down a ravine, and onto a valley floor to stay in a “tiny home” where we could hear the coyotes howl at night and domestic bison were being raised nearby.  It had everything we need to make breakfast, get cleaned up, and get a good nights sleep. The boys loved it. 

Zion National Park is one of those treasures that can be visited in a day, but a real experience might take two or three days.  Unfortunately, the only traffic allowed into the park is the official shuttle and third party vendors. The latter costs about $40 per person and the former costs $1 per person but requires a very-difficult-to-obtain reservation (which we did not get). I’ll pay $120 one time to get into the park but not two times.

You enter Zion from the floor of the canyon with thousand foot red, orange, gray, and brown cliff walls on either side of you.  From there, most trails go up or hug the Virgin River.  We came prepared. Each of us carried a backpack with food and water and extra socks in addition to, hiking poles, three different cameras, sunscreen, and maps.  Off we went to the Emerald Pools, a not-too-hard trail to the back of a trickling waterfall and back down to the river.  It was still a little chilly so we topped off with coffee and hot chocolate before heading up to our biggest adventure, Angel’s Landing.  

Angel’s Landing is a rock prominence that rises 1500’ from the canyon floor. The floor of the canyon is about 4200’ above sea level making Angels Landing over a mile up.  Three sides of Angel’s Landing is sheer cliffs and the only access is a 2.5 mile hike around the back.  It is a steady hike of switchbacks ever going upward. After a few hours we were at a stopping point to have lunch and rest before we tried The Chains to the top. The Chains is a life affirming experience as you grip ¼” chain up a narrow rock path with 1200’ drops off either side. Needless to say, we all tried it, but only Lisa and TJ made it to the top.

We chose Zion and Bryce Canyon after watching a documentary on the two National Parks. Lisa and were drawn the majesty and absolute difference to anything we have seen in North Carolina – Grandfather Mountain, Hanging Rock, and Pilot Mountain included.  We were not disappointed.  The views were incredible. The stone, silent and still – and the sun tracing light and shadows, provided the spectacle. It was a reminder of the glory of God (and time, water, and erosion). 

No, we didn’t make it to The Narrows. The water was about 50 degrees and we were not going to return with rental gear the next day.  Zion is one of those parks that will be worth a second visit someday.  

Our first day concluded with a big dinner at Oscar’s Café in Springdale and a sunset in our canyon.  The boys, for their part, complained little and embraced the adventure as best they could. 

Thankfully, we have pictures, video, and this blog to help remind them.