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Published: October 12th 2007
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The Last Gate
Notice the crossing sign on the right. A couple on an extended vacation books a room at an out-of-the-way B&B. This will be the beginning of an unusual journey, a journey of both sight and sound. They've done this kind of thing many time before and they are not concerned. They will leave the main road and pass through a series of gates, but what they don't realize is that on the other side of the last gate lies, the TwiLodge Zone.
We booked this place over the phone on a reference from a hotel. The woman said it was a B&B, "Sort of." We met the host at a local restaurant and she led us up the road on a mule (a type of ATV), through a gate, over a bridge, through another gate, up a steep dirt road, one more gate with a large carved cowboy, then up to the house. It looked like it was under construction but would be very nice when completed. Once inside we saw that it was built of large beams with a great room fronted by huge windows looking over the mountains. Our room was upstairs, the Cowboy Room, with pictures of John Wayne, and some chaps and a
Camping in Zion
I must say that we had a beautiful view at our campsite. cow skin on the wall. It was cozy. Our host introduced herself and her boyfriend, her friendly dog about the size of Iris, and her unfriendly dog who was missing a leg. Coincidence? Probably not. She then said they were going to go out for a few hours and to make ourselves at home. Great. And, oh, she'd invited some friends over so if they showed up just tell them she'd be back in a little while. Huh? They left and we made ourselves grilled cheese sandwiches, opened some wine and perched on the sofa. A while later a woman arrived with an adorable young girl and a toto-like dog. Her friends. They were very nice and busied themselves around the kitchen. Soon our host returned, followed by a cowboy, complete with hat, spurs and a slow drawl, and a woman with an English accent. Interesting couple. The cowboy had a dog named, ah, Cowboy. Go figure. Another young woman arrived and after that an old friend of the boyfriend. Everybody was nice and we chatted, they insisted we eat dinner with them (which we did), and we sat around and drank wine and watched baseball. The cowboy said he
might get us to help him round up some cattle in the morning. It was like we were the mystery guests at a slumber party. It was not, however, very B&B-like. In fact, most B&Bers would have never gone up the dirt road. But then we pride ourselves on being open-minded. It was more like a European-style home stay. We did that in Ireland once and it was truly odd. We sat in the living room watching Irish football and no one ever said a word. This experience was not like that either, fortunately, as these folks were friendly and talkative. It was like going to your cousin's house. So we hung out, watched the Sox beat the Angels, our host curled up on the couch and went to sleep, and everyone eventually drifted off to their rooms and or lofts. It was all very homey and, well, a bit Zonish. Rod would have been thrilled.
Moose
Now here in Tropic Utah. Pics of Zion and Bryce attached. All is well. Camped 2 nights, now at a B&B for 2 nights. We have not stayed in any one spot for more than 2 days, thus looking forward to the
Hiking down from Observation Point
Zion National Park. Did I mention it was a 2000 foot elevation gain with sheer drop offs from the trail? Joe and Diana B&B next week. Weather is spectacular (fleece at night and shorts during the day). I want to mention that we did a hike in Zion that has helped clarify one of my fears. I do not have a fear of heights, but I do have a fear of falling off a steep cliff to my death. Observation Point in Zion was great, but getting there made me a bit apprehensive (did I mention the sheer drop offs). 2000 feet up to an "observation point" (sheer drop offs on three sides; cool, but a little spooky). So, when there are signs everywhere about being careful on the trail and to avoid falling off as some other hikers have done, consider yourself warned. I did okay with the hike and could look out on the scenery just fine, but looking down right off where I'm hiking made me nervous (did I mention sheer drop offs). Okay, I actually wouldn't look off to the side, but as you turned corners (where I was cozying up to the rock wall), you always got a good look, whether you wanted it or not. I picked the hike and enjoyed it, but think
Bryce National Park
Very spectacular views on our hike this morning. I am getting a bit more "cautious" in my middle age (caution does not necessarily equate with fear, then again maybe it does). Nice hike this morning in Bryce. And we went to Cedar Breaks National Monument on the way to Bryce. All are spectacular places that I highly recommend.
Squirrel
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Windie
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Avoid Sheer Drop Offs
Perhaps for your future safety, you should seek out very easy flat hikes (like NZ).