Hike, Hike, Hike, Hike, Hike, Hike, Hike

No, that doesn't mean how many times I have heard that coming from the television. It is how many hikes we have been on this week!
We decided to wait for the weekend crowd to thin out at Zion. The National Parks are celebrating 100 years of service and Zion is on target to welcome four million visitors!
  

 On Monday we went to Snow Canyon State Park which is just west of St. George, Utah and it was a great decision because it was peaceful and no trouble finding parking. If you are in the area we highly recommend this park.

Our first hike was the Petrified Dunes.

We made it to the top.

Second was Whiterocks Amphitheater. 

These photos don't really show the height and depth.

The third one was called Pioneer Names.

The names are written in axle grease and date back to 1881.

Below is a zoomed in picture of the left indentation.

When we travel in the West we always think about the pioneers and what they had to endure as they traveled across this beautiful country.

 Jenny's Canyon

This is our first slot canyon and the fourth hike of the day.

We rested a day and then headed to Zion to tackle The Narrows. You hike one mile to the end of the paved trail and then chose to continue down the Virgin River or go back. 

 Hanging gardens along the trail.

 Oh yeah, the water is very cold!

 Around every bend it lures you to go just one more turn.

Our last hike was on Weeping Rock Trail. A short but steep hike to see a curtain of water drops which is so unusual in this dessert setting.

Zion National Park is amazing and should be on your list of places to see. 

Zion National Park

Friday we went back to St. George to submit my paperwork for a passport. We loved Snow Canyon State Park so much we went back for one more hike on the Butterfly Trail. After hiking to the lava flows we turned around and were asking ourselves, "Why it is called Butterfly Trail?" when we saw this rock formation. It didn't say anything in the brochure but we think it looks like a butterfly. Maybe we have been out in the sun too long.

We are taking advantage of the Utah State Park Pass we purchased and pulled into Sand Hollow State Park on our way home. The water was so clear but there was a sign at the ranger station warning there is Swimmer's Itch present. We didn't get in the water because dealing with an allergic reaction to microscopic parasites that burrow into your skin for over a week didn't seem worth it.

Check out the America the Beautiful Pass through the National Parks. America the Beautiful Passes There are several different passes and Scott has the Senior Pass which is a lifetime pass for only $10.00. To get into Zion it is $15.00 per person for seven days, just to walk in, no car. A great way to save money.

Oh yeah, Scott has been watching football too.

"I believe the world is incomprehensibly beautiful - an endless prospect of magic and wonder." Ansel Adams