South West 2017

It's hard to describe today when you thought yesterday was the most amazing. Just when you thought you started to understand something it shows you a completely different side. Zion did exactly that today. The West Side and the East Side are totally different. We took a beautiful hike. Marveling at what the Virgin River created. Temple of Towers West Temple The Beehives. I think they look like Hersey Kisses or those sand mounds the kids make at the shore. Joanne & Janice on the road to the tunnel and East Zion.  The Great Arch One of the galleries that was cut out of the 1.1 mile tunnel to remove the spoilage from the digging. The Tunnel leads you to the other Zion (East side). Big Horn Sheep are on the East side of the park. Big Ram AKA Alpha Male Big Ram with his harem. Big Ram hollering at the harem. The herd to end all herds. This was not part of the first group. Look...

We went into the park again today. I am so glad we're here for 3 full days. The trails and views are magnificent. Almost to the narrows. Falcon above the ridge. Joanne with erosion  as a backdrop. The Virgin River cutting away! Just two great shots of Joanne with the river and cuts. It was so beautiful. The Virgin river cutting thru the canyon. You can see the tan stone that broke away. It is "new" to the eye. The dark stone is "old" stone it is covered in desert varnish. Mother natures parallel lines a few million years apart. OMG Just another view that takes your breath away. Baby Diamond Back Rattler. Our first snake. He'll still make you sick if he bites you. Male Mule deer from the right of the bus. His buddy hanging out on the left side of the bus. Almost center a pair of climbers in Big Bend. Sand stone (white) from the dunes that formed in the background...

Went to dinner last night at the Zion Canyon Brew Pub. Jack and Nancy where there and recommended it. Great place thanks. This was the view from the back deck. Got JJ tire replaced. This is what the old one looked like. Momma mule deer and her 2 babies greeted  us. This overhang has to be 150'  This is Jacob Peak from the Court of the Patriarchs. Joanne at the middle Emerald Pool Joanne on the trail to the middle Emerald Pool. Waterfall from the middle Emerald Pool. Joanne on the trail.  Amazing cut with a tree on top. Joanne at the Weeping  Rock. Weeping Rock What a view!

Today was a moving day. Poor JJ and Janice had a blow out on the trailer just north of Las Vegas. We were ahead of them and couldn't help so as I write this we are waiting at the Zion River RV Resort just outside of Zion National Park. They should be here soon and then we might go to the Zion Canyon Brew Pub for dinner. Her we are setup. Joanne and I agree the parks here in the South West have been outstanding!

This will be our second float of the Colorado  River. This one starts just below the Hoover Dam. Joanne at the base of the Hoover Dam. Hoover Dam in all its glory. This was the water intake pump for Boulder city when the Dam was being built. The pump was mounted on a rail car and raised and lower based upon the level of the river. What looks like a step on the left is actually a key for the cog mounted to the rail car to move it up and down the incline. This used to be a side canon. It was filled in by the spoilage (discarded dirt) from the blasting. Hot spring. 137 degrees! Joanne back in the river. The temperature was 54 degrees. Cleopatra Rock. Use your imagination and you can see her headdress and hands folder in front of her. Old catwalk that was used from 1935 to 1939 for the river gauge caretaker. The old balancing rock. We enjoyed this trip but it was more of a boat ride. After doing both floats we would onl...