After seeing Zion for the first time, I think “it” should be called “the Grand Canyon.” Â Much more spectacular than the real Grand Canyon, and that’s pretty spectacular. Â Â Zion was utterly the most beautiful place I have ever seen. (so far)
We started out early (for us) so we might find a parking spot near the visitor center. Â Glad we did, Â as we got one of the last spots! Â Otherwise you need to take a shuttle bus from a town just west of the park, and dogs aren’t allowed on that, which is basically a show stopper for us. Â The only trail in Zion that allows dogs is the Pa’rus trail which is paved and meanders along the Virgin River for 1.7 miles, so our pups’ little legs received a 3.4 mile workout. Â It’s mostly flat but it was warm and there wasn’t much shade. Â But the views were out of this world. Â This is a place to come and hike around a few days!
The drive into the park from the east side and down to the visitor center is awe inspiring. Â The views from the roadway are incredible, Â truly breathtaking… Â And there is a mile-long tunnel carved out of a mountain that is 11′ tall on the sides and 13′ in the middle. Â I was very happy to NOT be driving the motor home this day as it’s over 12’7″ tall. Â They allow you to drive them thru, but you have to pay $15 for the privilege as they stop traffic from coming the other way so you can gingerly drive down the middle of the tunnel. Â My antennas stick up about a foot higher than everything else, probably 14′ off the ground, and would have been making a godawful racket if we went thru there. Â That tunnel was very long and had turns in it. Â Adding to its uniqueness was it was completely dark in there. Â Prior to you going thru it, a ranger slows you and checks to make sure you aren’t wearing sunglasses. Â There are a few small portals to the outside that give you a short but sweet view of the canyon below as you pass by. Â A lot of very large motor homes and buses went by as we were waiting in line to go back thru that tunnel when we were leaving.
