They Ain’t Lyin’ about Zion & The Very Grand Canyon

(Sorry –Dave has actually been coming up these corny titles.)

Next on the canyon tour was Zion National Park for just a brief 2 night one full day adventure.  But, wouldn’t you know it – dogs were not allowed on the park paths.  This did not exclude me from jumping into the Virgin River near our campsite.  We also would meet Lou, Janet, Luke and Caroline from New York State.  They’re practically neighbors back home.  And they were neighbors here in Zion and at our next stop at the Grand Canyon.  Most importantly, they were dog lovers.  Lou had a dog Pablo that he showed us pictures of, that could have been my twin!

Caleb and his new friend Luke found a log to jump off over and over and over again. 

Anika and her swimming buddy Caroline were like two peas in a pod.

Caleb and Anika were really missing having a pool at the campsite.  I think they had been a bit spoiled to this point in our trip.

The Virgin River which carved the canyon would be the very trail my family would hike during their stay here.  After a one mile hike on a trail alongside the river, the trail just ends and then the canyon is so narrow that you hike up through the river in what is appropriately called The Narrows.  Anika would discover that the water would be over her head in spots, but she didn’t let this stop her. 

And Caleb seemed to prefer the return trip as he would take every opportunity to simply float down the river in the deeper and stronger currents.

I think that Anika and Caleb probably exhibited more advanced skill in wading against the current taking this hike as Caleb has been hiking up water falls in our neighborhood in Vermont since he was three years old.  And both Anika and Caleb have gained further skill wading rivers as they fly fished with Dave.

As we exited Zion, I learned that Big Horn Sheep greet each other much as I do with my canine friends. 

The Grand Canyon is Really…Well…Grand

When we first arrived at the Grand Canyon there was quite a malaise over the campsite.  Dave had to prod, poke and lure us all to the edge of the canyon to view the thing that we had come to see.  The problem was, I believe, that we were all a little road weary and to be honest – a little tired of canyons.  It’s not like they don’t all offer something different – it’s just that the desert climate and the colored rocks do tend to be a little overwhelming, perhaps even emotionally draining, and then to experience as many as we have in just about 10 days gets a little overwhelming.  So, while I do recommend coming to see all of these canyons – maybe do it over a longer period of time – or better yet do 2 at a time (per trip). 

Having said all that, the Grand Canyon IS truly grand.  There really is no better word for it.  We can try by calling it the “mack-daddy”, the big Kahoona, the biggest baddest canyon this side of anywhere. 

And we figured this out upon our first stare in to the big chasm.  We all hiked out to the start of the Bright Angel Point Trail.  From there the family took shifts out to what would be one of the best vantage points to see the canyon.  I was not allowed to travel any further than this point.

So, Anika and Dave would take the first hike out on the point.  What they found was a storm on either side of them.  They said it was truly amazing.

But, it was Anika that would point out to her father that the storm on the West side of them was moving east towards them rather quickly.  So, they snapped a few of these photos and began boogying back up the trail. 

The rain started upon which time Caleb, Kirsten and I would seek cover at the North Rim Grand Canyon Lodge.  We would see Dave and Anika approach as small hail would start to fall.  As soon as they dove for cover, this larger hail would fall.

After that bit of adventure, the skies would clear for the rest of our stay around the Grand Canyon.  We would be treated to some of the most perfect weather we could hope for coming from northern climes.  Low 70’s during the day and 50’s at night was just perfect for us all.

The family would also be treated to amazing sunsets which we could enjoy perched on rocks just on the outskirts of the campground.  They didn’t trust me to sit quietly on these rocks that were perched thousands of feet above the canyon floor.

I would just hang out back at camp.

The family took other hikes around the canyon rim.  On this one they had a close encounter with a pair of mule deer.

Boy I would have loved to chase them!

And finally, the family splurged for one of their dinners and had what sounds like an amazing meal at the Grand Canyon Lodge.  They had the best seats in the house, right next to the windows over looking one of the best views of the Grand Canyon.  And you guessed it…again, no doggie bag.

So, now that we are a bit canyoned out, now it’s time to hit Vegas baby!  I let you know about my winnings when I post next.

Big Wet Kisses, Mookie, “The Bloggin’ Dog”