Zion NP and the North Rim- oceans of air

6/28

We woke up early and hit the road arriving at Zion NP in time for the early A Christian Ministries in a National Park (ACMNP) service. The service was great and we left not only refreshed but also with good advice for hiking and swimming.

We chose to hike to Angel’s Landing which provided us with spectacular views of the giant sheer canyon cliffs. This came at the expense of some pretty hair raising walks along a trail that was often just feet from a 1000 plus foot drop to the canyon floor. Chains assisted in the hike to the top.


Back on the canyon floor we encountered a fight between a rattle snake and a squirrel. In the shade of a rock overhang, we couldn't seem to determine the reason for the fight. The squirrel would flip sand at the snake and then the snake would retaliate with a quick, violent snap at the squirrel. Watch this video and check it out.



After several hours of hiking, we packed up the bikes and headed to a secret little swimming hole. We followed the unmarked trail to a pool about 30 feet in diameter bound on two sides by big boulders. There were two local families enjoying the cool waters and they were surprised to see two strangers who had wondered into their special spot. After hearing our story, they invited us in like family, shared their food and drink, and showed us how to jump in avoiding the shallow rocks hiding below the water’s surface. It was a great way to cool off and get out of the midday heat.

After an hour or so of refresh, we jumped back on the bikes and started our drive south to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

We were surprised by the landscape leading up to the North Rim. The road took us through forests of Ponderosa pines that towered above us on either side. The air was cool and pleasant. Not the arid desert that I was expecting.

We arrived at the North Rim visitors’ center around 7:30 pm with the trip odometer reading 6753 and were met by Ken and Beth our hosts for the night. We parked the bikes beside their 5th wheel and drove down to the rim with them to catch the sunset.

The Grand Canyon is huge. It’s like a great ocean of air. It has many shared qualities to our great oceans to the east and west. You walk to the edge, like a walk to the shore. The vastness is captivating. Sunrises and sunsets over its horizon are a spectacle.



Ken and Beth were planning to take us on a hike down into the canyon in the morning and we grabbed a shower (the first one in days) and slept like babies in the bed they provided (also the first in days).