NEARING THE END….

As our 14 days is soon to be up, it is time to get ready to head to yet another adventure.  Our next stop will be at San Rafael Swell in South Central Utah, near the Goblin State Park.  This is where we will stay until it’s time to head for our final summer destination: Colorado River State Park/James M. Robb in Grand Junction, CO and spending lots of time with our daughter-Lissi (Melissa).
We have enjoyed our stay here at Zion as we learned the history and culture of this area.  As we do travel, our goal is to stay long enough to get the full benefits and to learn of the area.  We seen many folks that came through here, spending only one night and then moving on.  To us, we think, how can you say that you paid $25.00, the entrance fee, plus your camping fee, staying only one night just to say you stayed at Zion-makes no sense to us at all.  You don’t get to enjoy the true beauty of the area or learn it’s history.
We seen many come and many go, some enjoying the spectacular view and even adventuring on the trails, including the famous Angels Landing.  We do know that many don’t have the advantage that we do in traveling, and are only on a short vacation. 
Many also come out to climb the humungous canyon walls as they repel upwards to the top.  Or some come to do what is called  canyoneering, which is repelling downwards deep into the canyon crevice to seek new adventures.  Which means that they also have to wear wetsuits.  Once down, they wade through water until they find an opening.
For us we have enjoyed the challenges in the hikes,                                                                                               watching the repellers climbing the steep canyon walls,                                                                                       even sleeping on the edge-literally….,                                                                                 watching varies wildlife,                                                                       We could jump on the bus anytime from sun up until 10:00pm for free; that takes you up and down the canyon,                                                                                         or do a ranger led program.

One would never really get bored-unless they choose not to enjoy what there is to offer here.  But the most memorable for us will be the hikes that we got to adventure on.  We challenge our bodies as we have never done before.   Angels Landing being the most challenge, but Observation Point being the most strenuous on our body.  Unfortunately the one that I really wanted to do was the “Narrows”; which are closed due to a raging Virgin River.  So I guess that will have to be yet another time when we happen to travel through this part of the area.

ZIONAL NATIONAL PARK-HIKING ANGELS LANDING

After taking a few days off allowing the tendons in my foot to heal some, I was ready to get back to hiking.  If winds stay down, our plans were to hike the most dangerous and the most adventurous trail in the National Park Trail System-Angels Landing.  But as we woke early on Tuesday morning, the winds were pretty strong and we weren’t sure if we would be able to do this hike.  As the morning went on, the winds calm down.  So a hearty breakfast was in order to get our energy level up.
Angels Landing got it’s name when a group exploring Zion back in the early 1900’s made a statement that only an Angel could land on it.  Zion’s first superintendent was determined to make Angels Landing a trail that anyone could “land on”; creating many switchbacks to make this happen.  It was completed back in 1924.  To this day, as you walk along and look down at the work it took, you still can see hoof prints of work horses  in the cement work.

 Angels Landing


We jumped on the bus and headed up canyon where we got dropped off at The Grotto.  As we crossed over the bridge of the Virgin River we started the hike.  At first was a gradual climb as we meander along the river.  Then you really started to notice the uphill climb and several times you needed to stop just to catch your breath.  We watched many ahead of us as they started on the many switchbacks heading to what they call Refrigerator Canyon.

 Heading into Refrigerator Canyon


Refrigerator Canyon got it’s name because no matter how hot it is-it will always be cool in between the canyon.  As we walked this long trail, between the canyon walls, we are amazed by the markings on the walls and all the holes and crevices of years past.

 Million of years of natural wonder


We are still climbing in elevation, but back here you don’t realize it, until you get to the second round of switchbacks, and then you really start to climb once again.

One section of the many switchbacks

We finally reached to one section of the mountain called Scout Lookout.  Here there are vault toilets and a nice place to rest.  Many folks stop here and don’t adventure any farther to Angels Landing.  Once you get a view of others starting the actual climb onto the mountain with steep drop-offs on both side, many get freaked out and won’t go any farther.  This was the case the day we went, where several folks took one look and said they had enough.  For us, it was just the beginning of another exciting adventure.  It is definitely not one to due in bad weather conditions, and on the sign below, they should also put not to do during high winds.

As we started across, there came time where if you had the place to “pull-over” and allow those coming down to pass or for those faster than you to pass you up.  As we did this, I turned around and got a good shot of the first part of our climb and couldn’t believe we were doing this.


We came to another area where many had stopped to rest and again, a few had enough and was turning around, not adventuring any farther.  We thought we had just done the scariest part, when we looked and notice that the worse was yet to come.

The front side

In the pictures above, the mountain that you see was still the part we needed to climb up and then it curved and we still yet needed to reach the summit, which is behind this first one. 
The back side


A few days back, someone had just completed Angels Landing and they said there was only a small section where it was shear drop of on both sides, I think this person was trying to convince us that we could do this. After leaving Scout Lookout, we had only 3 feet wide with sheer drop offs on both side, all the way up to the top of Angels Landing.  I would say  probably about 1-1/2 mile hike of heart stopping climbing. 


We did have chains to help hike us up and to guide us for the most part, but there were areas, where there were no chains and you totally rely on good footing and good hiking shoes.




Once on top, the view is spectacular and very well worth the adventure of doing!  but again, not for those fearing heights, young children or anyone with leg, hip or back problems.  On this hike I guarantee you will use every muscle you own in your body and if you are not use to this kind of strenuous hike, you will fill it the next day.


If you are in good shape and love to take small risk, this is one to do.  We saw all ages-except children on this hike.  I was surprise and glad to see Senior Citizens doing this hike.  The younger adults made it look so easy as they jumped along and bounced off rocks, making us “older’ ones holding our breaths.

ZION NATIONAL PARK-AFTER ONE WEEK

We have been here now for one week and we have decided to spend our full 14 days here at Zion.  There is just so much to hike and if you are an avid hiker like Brian and I, then this is the one place to be.
Unfortunately, we had to take a couple of days off  from hiking.  While doing one of our most simpler hikes, I forgot that I was no longer a spring chicken and “jumped” off a rock, causing injury to my right foot.  When I stepped down I felt a pain on the top side, but thought nothing of it, continue on and did other small walks throughout the day. 
Later that same evening (Saturday) after taking my shoe off and then putting it back on, I had some pain and swelling.  Then I notice a bump on the top side that was painful to the touch.  So time to slow down and take it easy.
The next morning (Sunday) I could get my shoe on, with some minor pain; we took Leah for her morning stroll, while trying to side-step and avoid getting run over by bikers on the Pa’rus Trail, I then got sharp pain and the swelling was getting worse.
Now it was time to find an urgent care clinic to get the foot ex-rayed.  We thought for sure it was fractured.  The nearest clinic that was even open on a Sunday was all the way back in ST. George-41 miles away.  Driving was a little painful, since it was the right foot.  But I got there.
After several ex-rays, it was determined that it wasn’t broken or fractured, but instead I have pulled the tendons completely out of whack.  I could continue with my hikes, if I wore this huge boot.  Brian looked at the bottom, and we both knew there would be no way a person could hike with that kind of “sole” on the boot.  The boot was also going to cost nearly $200.00.  I know I could put that kind of money elsewhere.  We opted against the boot and that I would just take it easy for now.
Never did the doctor mention of icing it or elevating it, nothing…So after getting home and doing some research on my own, I have wrapped it, and since doing it, it has pulled the tendons back in place.  So for now I will keep it wrapped tightly until it is healed. 
Yesterday I spent some time walking on level ground and had no pain or swelling, so maybe now I can get back to my hiking.  I am determined to do Angels Landing, the most dangerous hike of them all here at Zion….

ZION NATI0NAL PARK-DAY TWO

As we awoke this morning to temps in the mid 30’s, we knew we had come north.  After firing our heater and making a nice pot of hot coffee,  it wouldn’t be long before we were warm once again.
Being a chilly morning, hot cereal was in order before we started out on our adventure for the day.   Because of the cold, Leah won’t  walk very good, so we didn’t feel guilty about not taking her for her daily morning walk.
so immediately after breakfast we headed out to the Visitor center where we waited for our “Ride With The Ranger” trip.  We had to be there 15 minutes before boarding the bus, or we could loose our spot to someone on the waiting list.
The ride started promptly at 9:00am with a loaded bus and a fantastic guide tour.  Our first stop was to a land slide that happened back in 1995 where the Virgin River re-routed itself after days of heavy rain, right in the middle of the road that we were traveling on.  Taking out the road completely, and stranding those at the lodge for over 36 hours.  A path was finally made to get those people out, but only by foot.  Vehicles literally had to be left behind for months, until the road could be rebuilt.  Two years after the work was completed, a mainteince worker was traveling on this same stretch, when he heard a loud crash, shaking the vehicle.  upon looking back, a portion of the road was completely caved in!  No one was hurt, but again, stranding many folks again at the lodge.  Then just this past Dec 2010, due to lots a rain, and a raging Virgin River and fearing a horrible flash flood, Zion Park was evacuated, both the lodge and the campgrounds.

  The remains of the land slide back in 1995
The rebuilding of the river and roadway-hoping this wall will hold the Virgin River in it’s place.


Next stop was to the Court Of  The Patriarchs; the Mormon Settlers is what gave Zion it’s name and naming the peaks of the canyons.  We also stopped at the Lodge which was built back in the 1920’s, burned down in 1966 and rebuilt that very same year.  The only thing that did survive the fire was the fireplace which still remains in the current lodge.
We stopped a few more times along the way, until we reached the end of the road.  The Temple of Sinawava where you got some spectacular view.  One stop just before there, gave us the view of the Great White Throne and Angels Landing, where they do many rock climbing.

Angels Landing
  The Great White Throne
Temple of  Sinawava-end of the road

We got back around 11:00am, grabbed lunch and headed back out on a long hike.  Today’s hike was going to consist of the 3 Emerald Pools, the Kayenta Trail and the Grotto Trail. 
Heading to the first Emerald pool was loaded with school kids and many other visitors from all over the world, so we had to share the path and some points wait for others to pass us.   The first pool called Lower Emerald probably was the most spectacular of all.

  Lower Emerald Pool

The middle pool was nice, but not as spectacular as the first one.  We had planned on taking the Middle Pool Trail back when we were done, but the trail is closed.  Back in Dec, I had mentioned about the heavy rain they received here, it created a mud slide-literally wiping out the Middle Emerald  Pool Trail.  Yet today, the ground is still unstable, and slides are still happening and workers are unable to get in to start doing the repairs. 
Middle Emerald Pool
Middle Emerald Trail-what is left of it

Although part of the trail was closed, we still could get to the Middle Emerald Pool.  But the strenuous part of the hike in its' self was heading to the upper Emerald Pool.  On the way we had already run into on person who injured their knee and another one that was sick due to lack of water therefore dehydrating herself.

 The trail wasn’t easy, but well worth it.
  The Upper Emerald Pool

Coming back down from the Emerald Pools, we split off onto the Kayenta Trail which was also strenuous with steep drop offs.  We ran into a few other travelers, but it was less traveled and we liked that.

 Kayenta Trail


The trail eventually winded itself back down to the Virgin River, where we had a choice of taking the West Rim Trail which takes you to the boy scout lookout and to Angels Landing or taking the trail back to The Grotto Day-Use area; we took the Grotto way.  The Grotto Trail was easy and short, heading you back to the Zion Lodge, where we jumped on the bus and headed back home.  That is after on short detour to the Court Of The Patriarchs for a quick picture.

The Court Of The Patriarchs:  Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob

When we got back, we were tired, exhausted and new we would sleep well tonight.  Maybe tomorrow we will kick back and relax a little.  But we do plan on doing the Angels of Landing.  That is the most strenuous hike and should not be done under windy conditions.

FISHING TRAILS

As Brian and I walk around the Las Vegas Bay Campground and towards the closed boat ramp, we came across several trails that head towards the rushing water.
On one of our crazy adventure we followed a foot trail that was not a registered trail with NRA.  It wind and meander what we thought towards the rolling creek.  But instead just along the bluff.  So we choose to make our own foot trail, towards the creek.  Once we got down there, we planned on walking along the water way and doing some of our own exploring.
Las Vegas Bay Water Way
Our exploring came to an abrupt halt when we got into cattails and the canyon wall that we just couldn’t get around.  Now the dilemma was do we back track all the way back or try climbing up on another old fishing trail that someone else made?  Brian didn’t think that I could make it up the canyon because it was steep, and it looked  like who ever made the foot trail did a lot of sliding downwards. 

The She-Woman that Brian tends to call me once in a while, said that I could make it-with a little boost from him.  Oh, he gave me the 1-2-3 push and I did make it up that canyon.  Only problem was, it was just a portion and we still had to climb upwards more yet!  Brian said that we probably climbed 90 feet straight up with little plateaus to land and rest once in a while.
We did make it back to the top, all dirty and dusty and just one minor scrap on my knee; which is already heeled up.  After that adventure, Brian said he needed a drink and that he wasn’t going to let me talk him into another adventure like that again.
So last night what did we do?  You guessed it-I had discovered another fishing trail along one of our walks several days back and I wanted to go exploring again.  But this time, a camper next to us had already been on it and said it was an awesome trail.  The only thing eerie for them, they went early morning and came across a fresh dead chicken with it’s neck broken and a candle still burning.  Now that would of freaked the both of us out!  But that didn’t stop us from still checking out the trial-only a couple days later.
As we entered the fishing trial and it wind it’s way back and forth, you did get a sort of eerie feeling.  We are surrounded with canyon walls and brush that has grown up.  the trail that we were following was along the Las Vegas Bay and what used to be the inlet waterway of Lake Mead.  The only sound you could hear was the occasional sound of water and the quails calling for it’s mate.  Due to the warm weather we have been experiencing, we also had to watch out for not-so-friendly-snakes.
Dried up water way
After about 15 minutes on the trail, we came across where the water way was rushing through a split in the canyon wall.  It was amazing and beautiful.  The camper next to us said the day they were there, that carps were spawning and trying to jump upstream.  We didn’t get to see any of that, but the view was worth the adventure.  We would have gone a little farther, but there was a family there fishing  downstream and we didn’t want to disturb them and it was getting also close to sun setting, and we did need to find our way back yet.
 Las Vegas Bay
The water stinks
 This dumps into Lake Mead
 Carving of the canyon wall
No scraps or bruises, but yet we were once again dirty.  And NO, we never came across any dead chickens either.

SHOES & FEET

Growing up in my childhood I had several pair of shoes.  One pair was for school only, Two pair for Sunday church; a white shiny pair for spring and summer and a black shiny pair for fall and winter, Then I had my play shoes for outdoors.
As I grew up and had kids of my own, I couldn’t afford to buy shoes all the time.  Once I broke in a pair, I wore them to death-literally.  I’m still that way.  I don’t like to change shoes once I get a pair broke into.  One thing I have very small feet, so finding just the right shoes that fit my feet comfortably can become a challenge.
My Small feet….
I loved my Dr. Scholl’s that I was able to buy just at Wal-Mart but I guess demands for size 5 wasn’t a priority to Wal-Mart and/or Dr. Scholl's, so they have discontinue my shoes size!  So it was back to the basic tennis shoes in the kids department, only problem is that I walk so much that I would wear a pair out in a months time!
Knowing that we would be done working for the Corps of Engineer and that we would be doing a lot of traveling and hiking to unknown areas.  Brian and I decided that maybe we need a much more sturdy pair of shoes.  So we went on a search for Hikers.  For Brian that wasn’t hard to find, but for me, again because of my shoe size, I really have to search around.
We found our one pair at a local retailer in Mountain Home, AR.  They were comfortable, sturdy and I didn’t wear them out a months time.  In fact 8 months later and they still holding up; even after climbing mountain sides, walking on uneven terrain they still look pretty darn good.
But now comes a problem again….Because   of walking so much on uneven terrain I have developed pressure points on the bottom  side of both of my feet.  When they first started, I just ignored them, thinking eventually they will become a hard callus.  Well this time my thinking didn’t turn out the way I wanted it to.  the pressure points just keep getting sorer and sorer to the point of burning and severely hurting.         
Brian and I did find another pair of hikers over the winter and we did buy a second pair each to keep on hand.  So we broke out the new pair for my tiny feet.  They seem to fit just a bit better than my old hikers and thinking this would solve my problem.  It didn’t…      
So now it’s time to try that machine for Dr. Scholl’s for special inserts.  After doing the “test” twice and finding the “right” insert for my feet, we spent the $50.00 on the inserts.  Wow, it does make a difference in walking that is for sure.  It makes me feel like it’s pushing my arch more upwards.  It has releived the pain on the pressure points on my right foot, but no relief what-so-ever on the left one.       
      My new inserts from Dr. Scholl’s
So now it’s back to a shoe store to find a pair of just walking tennis shoes.  It seems to help, but the inserts “raise” me up and effects the back part of my heal.  So will try them without the inserts and keep the inserts for my hiker; for whenever I get back to hiking again.  But for now I can’t walk for a few days until the pressure points heal somewhat.   So no adventures for while for me….
After talking with Brian’s mom over the weekend, she recommended an old remedy of soaking my feet in ebson salt and warm water.  So why not try the old trick?  At this point I will try anything, because if the pressure points don’t get better, my next stop is to a podiatrist and I already know that means lots of money going out for special shoes and anything else….besides-I HATE DOCTORS!!                                       
Just think, we have one daughter that I believe she owns over 50 pairs of shoes!!!   And I’m struggling to find just one pair to fit me comfortably-until death do us part.
  ALL the shoes I now own…Which ones to where today?

Technorati Tags: Shoes,Feet,Walking. Pressure Points,Dr. Scholl's,Inserts,Arches