Our latest adventure with Howie (our home on wheels) was to Zion National Park in Utah. It was an incredible journey filled with great hikes, bike rides, kayaking, and amazing scenery. The Park is about a 10-hour drive from our home and I have no idea why we waited so long to visit.

We started our journey by staying in the Hurricane area for five nights (the locals pronounce it hurra-can). Our campsite was within biking distance to Quail Creek State Park where we spent our first day kayaking on the clear, blue-green water. And fortunately for us, the weather was perfect during our stay (the mid-70s, low 80s).

About 15 minutes from Hurricane is the northwest section of Zion where Kolob Canyons is located. This is where we found my favorite hiking spot. The Taylor Creek Trail is approximately five miles long and runs along the middle fork of the creek. It’s not a difficult trek but there is so much beauty along the way. The senses are overloaded with the sights of wildflowers, red rock mountain peaks, and the magnificent arch alcove. There are also two historic homestead cabins on the trail which date back to 1930. To make things even better, this area is not nearly as busy as other trails so it was quite peaceful.

One of the rangers suggested a trail (also in Kolob Canyons) that was a tad off the beaten path and so we hiked this one as well. It was also about 5 miles and at the end, you can spread your arms and touch two different towering mountains at the same time (unless you have short arms like me). The ranger stressed that it was truly a gift to touch thousands of years of history.

Our next stop after Hurricane was to an RV park right outside the main entrance to Zion. It was the perfect location as it allowed us to walk or bike into the park each day (and avoid the traffic and parking). Our campsite backed up to the river which was an added treat. After a day of exploring, we enjoyed stargazing to the sound of the softly flowing water. Simple pleasures.

Our first hike in Zion Canyon was to the Narrows. This is a popular tourist destination and was quite crowded. We rode a park bus to the entry point and were ready to go. The hike is through the narrowest part of the canyon (hence the name) and runs 5-10 miles depending on how adventurous one is feeling. The trail is in the Virgin River (yes, in the river) which means you are navigating the moving water and walking on river rocks. Luckily, we had done our research prior to the trip and were well-equipped with waterproof pants and boots, as well as a sturdy walking stick (since the rocks can be quite slippery and drops were unpredictable). The water wasn’t too cold and varied from ankle to waist-high depth. It was a bit challenging but worth every minute. To be surrounded by the beautiful colors and sounds of the canyon was good for the soul.

The next hike, Angel’s Landing was another popular destination. This trek was a bit more strenuous since it involved traveling uphill and included a set of 21 switchbacks that are known as Walter’s Wiggles. It definitely provided a very nice workout for this aging body. We hiked up to Scouts Lookout which was about four miles and provided amazing views. We decided this was a good stopping point for us. Others who were far braver (or crazier) continued to the Landing which entailed hiking a very narrow path with drops of 1000 feet. There are no guardrails and one wrong move could result in a fatal fall. It’s considered one of the most dangerous, yet beautiful hikes in the United States. It just wasn’t for me.

Our time in Zion ended much too quickly as there was still so much more to see. We will definitely return for another visit. It’s difficult to capture the experience in words so I hope a few photos will help. Visiting all of the National Parks is a retirement goal and this was a fantastic way to start.