Utah Carol

Daily Mileage=121

Total Trip=3144

(THE FOUR STATES ARE: COLORADO, UTAH, NEW MEXICO and ARIZONA. Rick Dorer wins with the correct answer. Look for your prize in the mail; don't get too excited waiting!)

Today we entered Utah and headed for Zion National Park. Once again we were awestruck by the incredible beauty of the landscape. As you enter the park you begin a descent down into the canyon. At points on the drive you are surrounded by mountains that are stratified with different colors. You feel insignificant against such a gorgeous backdrop! (Most of these peaks are 2-3000 feet above the canyon floor.) It's different than the Grand Canyon because you don't stand on the rim and look down, you're at the bottom and just keep looking up in amazement.

It gets it's name from the Mormon pioneers who saw these sculptured rocks as the "natural temples of God" and called the canyon Little Zion after the celestial city.

We hiked several trails. One took us up to the top of a lower peak; another took us down into a canyon where the Virgin River runs through and eventually joins with the Colorado River; another took us up a short, steep trail to the "Weeping Rocks" where water gently falls from an outcropping. The water fell as rain 1200 years ago! It felt wonderful not only from the amazing geological aspect but also because it seemed to be about 90+ degrees (although in reality it was only in the high 70's). It was so refreshing!

One of the upward hikes led us to a panoramic view of various peaks. Rich is in the foreground of a butte which is named "Sacrifice Mountain." We thought that seemed appropriate, in some way!?!

Needless to say we had a wonderful day however we are pretty tired after all that hiking. It's not that we walked many miles (although we did at least five) it was that most of them were going straight up.

We had dinner in the park and watched the sun set and the stars come out. How blessed are we? Thinking of all of you and wishing you starry nights.

Love, Mare & Rich

PS Today we started listening to an audio book entitled, "I Believe." It's a selection of people from all walks of life who have written essays on what they believe (basically the core element(s) of their life. It is a series that is heard on NPR periodically. The first "I Believe" series was in the 1950's. It's very interesting, provocative and moving. It invites one to think about, "What do I believe?" In one case a 16 year old girl did an essay in the 50's and they had her do one now. It was really intriguing to see her young ideals/beliefs holding up 50+ years later. We're not done with the book yet, but if you get a chance you should listen/read it.