16 of 22 – 2024 Fall Trip West Series. 10/4/24 Friday. We got up early and drove in two cars up to Zion National Park South Entrance. We had been advised to get there early in order to get parking inside the entrance at the Visitors Center. If too late we would need to park outside in the town of Springdale and walk in which could take awhile. Becky stayed back at the house to catch up on laundry and get us ready for tomorrow when we leave Deanne and the kids for the next part of our trip toward the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta.

South Entrance and view up Zion “Valley of the Gods” at sunrise. Photos on this post are a mix of shared iPhone pics by everyone.

Deanne rented the whole-body suit. That’s me on the right hugging the wall and trying to not fall down. I found out that 17 years makes a lot of difference. Becky, me, Liz, and David did this hike in the Narrows in 2007. I remember it being cold but not difficult. Today, because of problems with balance I find it just about impossible. I nearly slipped down several times and was going so slowly that everyone went on ahead except Liz and Deanne who stayed back with me. Once I fell in and got pretty wet and cold I gave up and sat down to rest and dry out. Deanne and Liz went on but did not catch up with the other Rock Hounds.

When we got back to the starting point at the Visitors Center I had no dry socks or shoes to put on because they were in the ‘other’ car. I bought Zion socks at the Gift Shop and crashed when we got back to the rental house.

Couple pics of much younger Liz and David in 2007. Not part of this trip but happy memories. That photo of Liz in the green water is one of my favorites.

There were two major highlights of this trip. The first was the wonderful family time we had here in Utah. The second was the time at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta.