Zion Part 3: Last Look
We arrived back at Zion Lodge just in time to see the mule deer arriving for their evening meal of soft, fresh grass. We rested in rocking chairs on the porch until it was time for the tram tour, a one-hour narrated ride through Zion Canyon that was free for guests at the Lodge. Our driver/guide entertained us with stories about history of Zion Canyon and the wild animals that lived there.
During the tour, the skies were gray and cloudy, with intermittent (and fortunately light) rain. It was interesting to see the cliffs in a different light. In this moody, misty atmosphere, we were reminded of our daughter’s impression of Zion - it was like being in Jurassic Park. We had traveled back in time 200 million years, and dinosaurs were surely lurking nearby. It felt ancient, magical, and mysterious.
The next morning was clear, sunny and gorgeous. We said goodbye to the Lodge and started driving up the steep switchbacks to the tunnel. We had hoped to hike the Overlook Trail, which starts at the east end of the tunnel, but we couldn’t find a parking spot. We had to settle for the stunning views on the road out of Zion, and our memories of the awesome beauty that had surrounded us during our visit.
Postscript: Zion National Park has an Artist in Residence program, where each selected artist can spend a month living and working in a cabin on the Grotto Trail near Zion Lodge. Can you imagine how inspiring that would be? Selected works by. Artists in Residence were on exhibit at the Human History Museum; here are my favorites.
