Richard and I love the American West. The landscape is breathtaking and unforgettable. Within easy travel from Las Vegas is Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Hoover Dam, Zion and Bryce National Parks, and the Grand Canyon. Also in this little corner of Utah is a wealth of national monuments and state parks and recreation areas.
In April, we piggybacked this quick trip out west with a convention in Las Vegas that my husband attends once every couple of years. He was already in Las Vegas, so I flew in. Over the next few days, we visited the Hoover Dam, Zion, and then a drive to Casper, Wyoming, to visit with my brother, sister-in-law, their children and grandchildren. A lot of driving in three days, which, unfortunately, kept us from seeing much, much more spectacular scenery.
So, after Hoover Dam, we started our journey. The drive into Zion is just as special as the park itself. Great big wide open vistas with their own architecture and layers of mountainous rock formations.
We landed at Zion during the early evening, just in time for the spectacular views as the sun began to set when the rocks and mountains take on a unique glow not seen in daylight.
A park ranger told us that most of the wildlife comes down to lower elevations in the early evening. He said this was a particularly good time of day to see Big Horn Sheep, and he was right. The only other Big Horn Sheep I’ve seen were at Yellowstone.
We spent the night in Springdale, a small town just outside the park entrance with amenities for tourists. There are lots of shops, hotels/motels, and restaurants.
The next morning, we decided to take the park tram to the farthest point, the Riverside Walk. It’s a easy trail, only 1.2 miles. Again the views were awe inspiring.
Here’s our reward at the end of the Riverside Walk Trail
And on the way back. I couldn’t help myself.
OK – I’m done. But not done traveling out West. Each time we do, Richard and I drop our jaws at yet another “too good to miss” photo opportunity, we pile back into the van and wonder: “What hath God wrought?” Not only a humbling example of his mighty power, but also a demonstration of His love for us. A gift for which we are truly grateful.