Patience isn’t a virtue I’m known for, and I was reminded of this fact at Zion National Park (Utah) in April.
Zion is just one of the spectacular National Parks in Utah, proving that the Mormons did know a thing or two about buying real estate. (Let’s forget about their other, um, unusual practices for the moment.)
The park has grandeur and lush landscapes and waterfalls and a river. I was super excited to be there, ready to hike and photograph the gorgeous trails and valley. Sam and I waited in line at 8 a.m. to get a spot in the campground, and just as I was finishing setting us up it started to rain.
Which was fine. Rain, schmain! We don’t need no stinking badges! (Or something.) Sam and I took a long walk anyway, got back to the campsite and shook off the water, took a nap, and waited for it clear up so I could take the camera out for a late afternoon hike.
As often happens, Mother Nature had other plans, and it turns out my soggy patience has about a four-day limit. But! I did manage to get one hike in, up to the waterfalls. I had really wanted to do the two hikes that Zion is most famous for, the skinny, winding climb to Angel’s Landing, which even has chain railings for assistance, and the sheer-walled slot canyons of The Narrows. But on this trip they weren’t meant to be.
I had to skip Angel’s Landing because of rain (slipping and falling off trail to the valley floor would have put a damper on things), and The Narrows because of flash flood warnings (ditto on the accidental drowning, which happens pretty regularly at Zion).
But really, it was fine. With a landscape like this, who cares? It just gives me two reasons to go back some day.
Blue sky! This lasted approximately a minute.
Looking up valley.
On the morning walk along the river with Sam, it looked like the mountains were smoking. (This was usually the tease – some blue sky that would get filled in with rain clouds once we got back to camp.)
I don’t love the white sky, but the sour river appealed to me.
The Upper Falls.
This image is a bit busy, but there was something about that curving tree trunk that I loved.
And that cappuccino water!
I’ll end with one of the other rainless moments, by the Virgin River that runs by the campground. Not a bad place to wait out a storm.
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Lovely images! Yes, you’ll just have to go back. But you captured some loveliness that would not be available under clear skies.
Emilie Vardaman recently posted…Bisbee Pride 2016
Emilie – Thank you! I agree, clear skies give a very different feel and color range, so I’m usually happy for clouds.
thanks, Deonne – pretty darn spectacular. ron hagg
Thank you, Ron!
Jealous! I just haven’t convinced myself I want to deal with all the people! I will say I love your photos probably more than any I have seen due to the greenery. So many bloggers I read go in the fall and it is all just red rock and red ground. I don’t think I’ve ever seen shots of the falls and that is super cool! Glad you didn’t slide off a cliff or drown in a slot canyon though! LOL
Sherry in MT recently posted…Did You Notice?
Sherry – Thanks for the kind words about the photos, and yes that’s what rain produces – green! There’s so many great hikes and interesting sights, you really should go, just go in the off season.
Rain Reigns!!! And so do you. Just lovely and I know that portion of the Virgin River well! Makes me long to go back, you have more than done your job.
Elida – Thank you for the very kind words. It’s such a gorgeous place, isn’t it? One of the most special in this beautiful country.
Cappuccino water! Love it! Really, Zion is spectacular. Sorry about the rain, and glad you didn’t risk flash-flooding/drowning. That would have been a downer. These shots are spectacular. That sky in the first two. Wow! Thanks as always, Deonne, for bringing us these images.
Michelle – It is absolutely my pleasure, and thank *you* for the enthusiasm!
Lovely photos, as usual! We were there many many years ago. We walked near the virgin river and dave kept freaking out about the possibility of snakes. i got mad and said he was ruining my moment. Then a couple days later driving through Arizona, we stopped to take photos of these giant cactus. I nearly stepped on a rattlesnake, imagine my foot suspended over the snake then slowly backing up. He says then “oh yeah, I heard a snake.” D’oh! I always bring this up to him. Anyway, great memories. Your photos brought it all back again. I suppose we’ll be having that snake conversation over dinner tonight. 😉
Manisha recently posted…sailing!
Manisha – Great story! I didn’t experience anything nearly as exciting on this trip. Thank god. 🙂