AUGUST 31 - ZION NATIONAL PARK, in Utah

FRIDAY

AUGUST 31, 2012

 

We boarded the Fantasy Cavalier Coach at 7:45 AM and traveled 40 miles to ZION NATIONAL PARK by 9 AM.  Along the way we stopped briefly while other tourist took pictures of

deer along the road.  Of course, I had to whip out my camera and take a picture too.

Before the day was over, I had taken 225 pictures.

 

 

                                                     Four deer with a fifth back by the tree.
                                                          I love my CANON SX40 HS camera
                                                                    for these long distance shots.

 

 

We began our day by watching the 22 minute

 Orientation video at the Zion Human History Museum

 which highlighted the dramatic landscapes of the park

 and examined the history of the Canyon.

Uinta Groundsel

This plant can poison livestock.

 

 

Datura Wrightii Regel

ANGELS-TRUMPET

The new nature book I bought for $5.95,

entitled: WILDFLOWERS OF ZION NATIONAL PARK,

says that "The flowers are sweetly scented in contrast

to the leaves that smell like a wet dog." 

"The plants contain a number of complex compounds

 called alkaloids, which are poisonous

 singly or in combination."

 

 

We then walked the CANYON JUNCTION trail,

 to the Virgin River,

and had to stop to take pictures of the

gentle waterfalls.

 

 

Virgin River

waterfalls.

 

 

Ground Squirrel Mom and Baby

 

 

 

MULE DEER

Note:  The long Mule-like ears.

 

These brave animals contributed

 a great deal to my day.

 

One Shuttle Stop we were told not to miss,

 was at the end of the Shuttle line,

 the RIVERWALK.

We enjoyed the easy trail and took an hour,

 round trip, so I could stop and take pictures

 to my heart's content.

The Squirrel, Deer and several more flowers were

like hidden treasures to me.

 

Cardinal Monkeyflower

 

 

Paintbrush

 

The other "must see" on our list was the WEEPING ROCKS

 

 

 

 

 

This is the view from under the WEEPING ROCK,

looking out toward the Virgin River Valley.

 

Several of the views from our Bus and Shuttle

windows are as follows:

 

The Three Patriarchs

  Abraham, Isaac and Jacob

 

 

 

Our day included a stop at ZION LODGE for a quick Salad

at the Lower Level Cafeteria.  While there, we waited out a 20 minute

RAIN storm, and ate outside on the porch, rather than on

the patio without a roof.

 

After lunch, we took time to shop at the Visitors

Center shop where I bought a set of 4,

4 inch fabric quilt blocks

to use in a Lap Quilt to commemorate our trip.

Russ added to his Hat pin collection,

and we bought some more post cards.

 

We rallied with our Tour group at the IMAX

Theatre at 2:45 to see the Movie at 3 PM.

 

By 3:50 PM we were back on our bus,

heading back to ST. GEORGE RV RESORT,

where we arrived at 4:41 PM.

 

We had an hour to rest before

a catered dinner at the Club House,

followed by entertainment by

TAMMY DEE.

 

This delightful lady performed songs from

the 1940's as BIG BAND BETTY.

 

 

Her other personalities included:

 

DOUBLE DEE DEE

doing renditions of

Frank Sinatra's songs and 1950's songs.

 

 

It was a fun filled hour, with lots of laughs

and good humored fun.

 

FANTASY will have a hard time

 topping today!

 

Great Park - Great Dinner - Great Entertainment