A Day in Zion

Desert Bighorn in Zion, originally uploaded by ivoryblushroses.

Jessie and I had a lovely day in Zion National Park. One of our first sights of the day was this herd of Desert Bighorn! It's always a thrill to me to see these!

We spent the morning hiking the River Walk trail back to the narrows. It's a lovely walk, not too strenuous, and the views of the rock walls are spectacular!


All throughout Zion, trees and other plant life grows in seemingly impossible places, like this small tree growing right out of the rock.

On this visit, the columbine were in bloom.


They were so beautiful, that I couldn't resist sharing a couple photos of them!


We were there early enough in the day to enjoy the blooms of the Datura also known as Moon Flower because it blooms at night and withers by mid-day.


The Squirrels were out too. They seemed to be enjoying the views as much as we were!


The contrast of reds, blacks and greens in the canyon were spectacular! The vertical rock walls soaring up from the canyon bottom are awe inspiring!


The hanging gardens along the trail are amazing, yet so many people sped by them, not taking time to enjoy their beauty. Jessie and I spent a lot of time observing the plants, the steady flow of water down the rock surface and just enjoying the beauty.


I've always loved Maidenhair Ferns and the ones hanging from the rock walls in Zion have to be some of the most beautiful I've ever seen!


By lunchtime, we were ready for a rest. The shaded terrace of the restaurant at Zion Lodge was just the thing!


After lunch, we hiked down a portion of the road where the shuttles don't stop in order to take in a better view of the rock tower known as the Great White Throne. While there, we spent a bit of time talking with one of the park's wildlife biologist who was observing one of the Peregrine Falcon nests on the rock wall above us!


Late in the day, the lowering sun made the rocks glow. I am intrigued by how the folds and layers of sand have been captured in the stone of these petrified dunes on the east side of Zion.


At the end of the day, we stopped at the Thunderbird Restaurant on the road between Zion and Kanab for dinner. In between each of the beautiful hanging flower baskets was a hummingbird feeder attended by swarms of hummingbirds! Should I have the opportunity to stop here again, I'll just order the apple pie with hot buttered rum sauce for dinner! It was yummy!