Zion National Park, The Narrows

Our RV on location  in Zion:  The river is right behind us with a lovely sandy shore and big cottonwood trees filled with birds!

Today was our last day in Zion and it was cold and sunny, as it has been the whole time. Tomorrow we head for Bryce, but the highs are in the 40's there, so we don't know how long we will last! We took hot showers in our microscopic bathroom tonight, after 5 nights without bathing. We have got the technique down now, using minimal water, and it felt really great!  We have been without hook-ups for 5 nights and all works well except the battery.  And when the battery wears down all hell breaks loose. I spent most of last night listening to warning beepers going off!

The biking is terrific here....just watch our for the shuttle!  Dirk is modeling our backpack/panniers that Rick gave us.  Just pop them off, flip them into backpack mode,  and take a hike with your valuables and hiking junk!

View from Weeping Rock, where water drips out between sandstone and shale layers.

Spotted this mountain sheep from my bike.  Took dozens of pictures, but could not get the darn thing's head!

View from trail to Hidden Canyon....another cliff hanger trail that we took only to the cliff hanging part.

Today we rented dry bibs and neoprene booties/shoes and poles and plunged into the upper reaches of the Virgin river.    This hike is half way in the river, which is 55 degrees and flowing at a good clip.

The goal is The Narrows, a slot canyon.  Dixie is getting close!

A wet and wonderful trail.  The rocks in sunlight get washed out, but we are all enclosed in towering rock walls.

Dirk heading upstream on our 4.5 hour expedition.

Dixie heading upstream.  Half the hike is in the water on either sandbars or "slippery bowling balls," with water sometimes as high as our waist, but mostly just to mid calf.

This is a sample of the rock coloration.  Looks like a cleverly painted wall, but it is all natural!