National Parks Road Trip 2017: Zion 1

While camping at Cedar Breaks we traveled to Zion National Park, back and forth for an hour and fifteen minutes each way each day.  Not ideal, but the campground was so stellar, it felt like going home.  Also, it was so hot down in Zion NP, so camping at 10,000 feet was a dream.  We never had a hot night!  Plus, we had some great stories we were listening to on the drive; I think we got through 7 different books all said and done!  It was a no devices trip, so no games, Facebook or Instagram on phones or Kindles, which was like a little bit of heaven on earth to my mama heart.  We did allow a couple of movies for the longer drive days, but I loved having freedom from the screen, and I was happy that the boys were up for it.  I never had anyone protest or beg or even ask for reconsideration (although I do think Zac snuck a game or two).  All in all, it was so nice not to battle the screens and disconnect for a bit!

Zion is another park that leaves you in awe.  It felt kind of like every park we chose for this trip was that awe-inspiring kind of park!  Bryce--for its unusual rock formations and stunning iron shades that leave you thinking you could possibly be walking on another planet.  Zion--for the massive rocks that jut into the sky, towering over you making you realize that your life is just the start of an exhale in the vast respiratory epochs of our planet.  Kings Canyon/Sequoia's giant trees have such incredible longevity they humble you as you realize they lived long before and will live long past your own time on earth.  And Yosemite is like God's canvas, a feast for the eyes.

Zion Day-One Highlights:

• We dropped the family off inside the park, were unable to find parking, so Adam and I had to go back out of the park to park the cars (definitely one of the drawbacks of camping so far away is not getting to the park early enough for parking).  Then we ran halfway back to the entrance to catch up to the family, before spotting a shuttle to take us the rest of the way.  THEN we all realized we were starting to get hungry and should have packed lunches, so everyone hauled all the way back out to our parking spot to make sandwiches.
• It was nice taking the shuttle through the park and listening to all the information they share on the ride, plus, there is less chance of crashing while trying to crane your neck to see all the amazing things (in the summer the parking lots up the canyon are closed unless you're staying at the lodge).
• After checking to make sure the flood possibility was extremely low, we hiked 3 miles into The Narrows in the Virgin River, the most refreshing river there is.  Our visit was during a southern states heatwave.  It was 108* when we got back to the car that afternoon.
• We kept Tommy in arm's reach because we were afraid he'd get washed down the river, and the one time he did lose his footing and couldn't get his feet back underneath him, we were grateful that he was safely caught!  Although he knows how to swim, we didn't want him to have to test those skills in a river. 
• It was lovely to see the boys helping and supporting each other all along the way, especially Zac, Tommy's buddy.
• Tommy found his perfect walking stick.
• Luke lost his shoes every 9th step, it was comical!
• The beauty of the majestic rocks all around us was definitely a highlight.
• Jumping off of the big rock above a pool into the cool water was my favorite part.  That and hearing everyone cheer each other on. 
• Ice cream AGAIN!