That is SO COOL!

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Again, this is not my title. This is what we heard Cole say at least twenty times today. "Are we riding the shuttle? That is so cool!" "Look at this cowboy hat. That is so cool!" "That squirrel is waving at us. That is so cool!" He was very entertaining, and excited about our day at Zion National Park.

After a ride on the shuttle, an unexpectedly convenient method of transportation throughout the park, we started our day at the Zion Lodge. After denying the boys' request for ice cream (at 0900), we decided to hike the short (0.6 mile) walk to Lower Emerald Pool. The 0.2 miles up to Middle Emerald Pools didn't look so bad, so we did that too, and then the return on the Kayenta Trail, and then the Grotto Trail to return to the Lodge. All in all, it was 2.5 miles, a very good start to the day. We had a pretty good lunch at the lodge, again denying a request for ice cream, and hopped back on the shuttle to see more viewpoints.

We headed to the end, which is our usual routine, figuring it makes the trip seem shorter for the boys. I don't know if that's true, but it's reasonable. The end at Zion is called Temple of Sinawava, and leads to the Narrows. Jeff decided we should do the "easy" walk back in there. It was level and paved, but packed with people and 2.2 miles round-trip. It was beautiful, though, and Cole was highly entertained by the many squirrels we saw along the way.

We also made stops at the rest of the viewpoints for photos. I very much wanted to take the Zion - Mt Carmel Highway to see the eastern part of the park, but our truck doesn't meet the 7'10" requirement.

The boys again had fun swimming, although the water is quite cool and shaded. We finally are in an area without a burn restriction, too, so we finally cooked outside!

- - - - -

Today, we learned that national monuments are designated by the President, whereas the rest of the sites within the National Park Service are designated by Congress. (It's a little sad that we just learned this, having visited more than 75% of all the national parks, monuments and memorials.)

We forgot that we are old and out of shape, choosing to walk nearly 5 miles in 4 hours.

Question of the Day (from Cole to me at the top of the Lower Emerald Pool Trail): Are you SWEATING?!

High Temperature: 91, in Virgin UT
Low Temperature: 69, in Cedar City UT

Miles: 153

Geocaches Found: 18

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Photos

Zion Nat'l Park
from the Emerald Pools Trail

All the World's a Stage
This squirrel appeared to be waving at those of us watching him or shaking his fist at us. I suggested he was having a seizure, but Jeff didn't believe me.

Joel, a little help?
Beautiful bird, but I have no idea what kind.

Zion Nat'l Park from the Grotto Trail
, I think.

Not THAT Big Bird
We weren't going to get out at this shuttle stop until seeing this crane (?). He did a little fishing as we watched.

Comments

[jOEL JACKSON]

A little help
That is a Yellow Warbler. Their breeding range is large and includes the western states.