.jpg "East entrance Zion NP UT")
I entered Zion National Park from the East entrance at 5700 feet (1737.36 meters). In 1864 Mormon pioneer Isacc Behunin homesteaded in the canyon and called it Zion, a Hebrew word interpreted as a sanctuary. Zion was designated a national monument in 1909 and is celebrating its centennial..jpg "Checkerboard Mesa Zion NP UT")
Checkerboard MesaWithin a mile I stopped at the first of many overlooks. The horizontal lines are caused by crossbedding, a remnant of ancient sand dunes. The vertical lines formed because of the contraction and expansion of the sandstone.
.jpg "Zion NP UT")
This Navajo sandstone reaches a thickness of 2200 feet (670.56 meters) and forms the spectacular cliffs in Zion..jpg "Zion NP UT")
I only wish there’d been more places to pull off the road..jpg "Zion NP UT")
.jpg "First tunnel Zion NP UT")
First tunnelThe Zion Tunnels were completed in 1930, the longer 1.1 miles (1.77 km) in length with six windows. I fit through the first one with no problem. But…
.jpg "Second tunnel Zion NP UT")
…the second tunnel cost me $15 to stop traffic and drive straddling the double yellow lines because my camper is over 7’9” (2.36 meters) wide. I wasn’t the only one. And it was rather fun to be in the lead..jpg "Zion NP UT")
The road drops 600 feet (182.88 meters) into Zion Canyon..jpg "Zion NP UT")
I found a place to camp at the South Campground with no problem. In fact it seemed pretty quiet in the park. Took the shuttle up to the Lodge and treated myself to a delicious dinner. Have you ever eaten Quinua (keen-wah)? It’s a grain-like seed from the goosefoot (Chenopodium quinoa). It came with my Navajo Eggplant. Very yummy..jpg "Zion NP UT")
The West Temple and Towers of the VirginAfter a good night’s rest I rode the shuttle up canyon to walk the Virgin Riverside walk and beyond into The Narrows.
Tell me more about that dinner–how was the eggplant cooked? Fried? or some other way? We are going there next week so I need to know these things.
What a beautiful place to visit. I love tunnels. We just rode our bicycles through three tunnels two days ago and it was a blast. I'm glad you are enjoying Zion National Park.
What wonderful country Gaelyn, you really get to know your country from its most beautiful side.
tunning pics, info and territory again Gaelyn. I never get tired of seeing all these beautiful places. That checkerboard is fantastic.
The picture of the first tunnel took my breath away. I would have stopped there and gone no further. WOW!!
I do envy you being able to take so much time off to see these places. I am so glad you are sharing them with us. Thank you.
Thanks for sharing your Zion pic's they bring back my memories of visiting Zion nat'l park. It is a beautiful place.
Wow, Gaelyn, that was a wonderful post. Thanks for sharing. Your photos are amazing. I wish I could've seen you leading the way in the tunnel. I know and love quinua (it's spelt quinoa on the packet I bought in the UK) I did a post on it a month or two ago. It's very healthy and I, as a vegetarian, LOVE it. Is this a long weekend for you? A break? Enjoy!
Gaelyn, your photos are so magnificent. I feel like I was riding along with you…
Thanks for the wonderful journey.
What fantastic scenery, Gaelyn. Every shot a stunner!
Janice.
Wow, it sure is beautiful there! Thanks for taking us along on this trip Gaelyn!
What a stunningly beautiful landscape and some great piccies too. I would love to visit this area and I have tried and liked Quinoa!
Wow! Did these gorgeous shots bring back memories! We took a wonderful to Zion in our motor home and do I remember that tunnel!!!
Terrific post, Gaelyn!
Have a great week!
Sylvia
Terrific!
The places described by you every week are irresistible, I have to get there some day.
Gaelyn,
Wow, such beautiful scenery! I'll have to look it up on the map. Thanks for sharing!
Beautiful photos!
I can't think that I have ever heard of Zion National Park before discovering your blog. It looks like a awesome park with buckets loads, no, tons of spectacular scenery. *taking out the list of places to see if I ever get to do a cross country trip accross the USA*
Those are some really great photos! Lots of detail in them.
Beautiful pictures! Too bad the shoulders on the road were not wider for pulling over. I love quinoa and cook it often. It is pricey for a grain (I buy it in a bulk store) but is very nutritious and cooks in less than 10 minutes
Great post (as usual), Gaelyn. All the different colors in such a stark background. Mother Nature is quite a painter! Your dinner sounded wonderful. I enjoyed the story about the tunnels and being in the lead!
Gaeylyn: Your views of your area always bring a smile to my heart. I love that conical formation.
The colors are amazing.
What fun stopping traffic!
'Ain't nature wonderful'.
I must get myself to Utah one of these days.
Friday I went to the Yakima River Canyon–very interesting area.
MB
I really enjoyed these photos and post. I was looking forward to these and the images brought back some nice memories of my brothers climbing some of the rocks when i was a kid.
I especially like the wide-angle view with the cone-shaped knob – and the tunnels. I love old tunnels like these.
Hi Gaelyn,
Catching up with you after a busy family weekend. I really enjoyed your geological and pictorial tour of Zion. I liked the Canyon shot where you caught a camper midway down – gave a good perspective of the canyon's depth. I have eaten Quinua – I think it's the grain containing the most protein. I look forward to your Narrows photos.
Wonderful post. I enjoy your shots and narrative so much.
Wow, amazing. I drove through Utah once – unreal – quite a unique landscape. Beautiful photos.
You have the most enviable life–one I would have loved to have but I really am quite content with what I have……………..(I think!!!)
Such beautiful country!
The views on that road in are amazing. But $15??? Wow that's a lot!