Driving the high desert can be a bit tedious. Lots of sand, rock and brown vegetation. We stopped at the Nevada/Arizona (Yes, the 15 cuts through the northwest corner of AZ) in Mesquite. It was our last chance to hit the slots. No luck here either. We opted to stop at Walmart to purchase deodorant and sunscreen. I walked in to the neatest Walmart store I've ever seen. Every can, bottle and box was perfectly aligned on the shelf AND there were no lines at the checkout. "Totto, I don't think we're in Southern California any more.
We got into Zion National Park around 10:30 and parked the car at the Visitor's center. The park service provides a shuttle service through the park. And it's the only way to see the park. We hung out the windows and took a ton of pictures which just don't do this slice of heaven justice. The park was originally settled by Mormons who farmed along the banks of the Virgin river. Most of the sites were named by these settlers and have a biblical reference: The Three Patriarchs, The Alter and the Pulpit, and of course the term Zion, which means a heavenly meeting place. The land was declared a national monument in 1909 and originally named Mukuntuweep. A decade later it became a national park an renamed Zion.
Because we planned on spending only three hours in the park, and the fact that it was 90 degrees, we only took a few short
hikes: one to the Virgin River, and another up to the weeping rock which continually sprays water from the rock.We continued our travels east on Utah Hwy 9 which crossed through a 1 mile tunnel blasted into the cliffside in 1930 beforeRV's existed. If one of these big boys wants to use the tunnel, traffic is stopped and the RV is escorted through the
center of the tunnel. Our little Prius had no trouble making the climb and driving through the tunnel. The driver however....Tony started up the mountainside. But the switchbacks are pretty intense and right on the edge of the mountain.
So at the first possible chance of a pullover we "pulled over" and switched drivers. We exited the park and continued down the road a couple more miles to the crossroads town of Mount Carmel Junction where we checked into the Thunderbird Hotel and stepped back in time. The place is clean, but a bit dated. Stopped in at the corner store and purchaced a 6-pack of Polygamy beer. Remember, this is Mormon country. And after a few beers, dinner at the hotel restaurant (no other options) and a quick dip in the pool, bed was calling our names.
Time to recharge and do it all again in Bryce Canyon
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