2001 to 2005: 2002 – 03 . . . Episode 10

Zion National Park has a special significance for us. It was over three years ago that we had to forego our return visit to the park to get back to Calgary to start a project that we found out (when we hit the Canadian border) was put on hold!! It was that happening that set off this great adventure for us. I became overwhelmed with the sense the I just wasn't having fun anymore and needed to do something different!! Not that I didn't like what I was doing but I felt like I was being controlled by situations and circumstances that were beyond my control.

This is when we started getting rid of all our belongings (the stuff we had accumulated over the past 30+ years), put the house up for sale and started planning for a future to bring the fun back into our lives.

Zion is a National Park in Utah north-west of the Grand Canyon. The Virgin River is to Zion Canyon what the Colorado River is to the Grand Canyon.

The Grand Canyon is absolutely awesome . . . Zion Canyon feels more intimate . . .

up-close and personal. Rather than the spectacular view from the rims of the Canyon (like the Grand Canyon), in Zion, you are in the Canyon looking up at the rims.

People actually climb mountains like this . . . straight up! Climbing is one of the favourite activities (No, we didn't try!!) and the hiking trails are everywhere.

When we were first there, we drove the Canyon road and up along the switch back highway towards Mount Carmel as well as the Canyon road. Because of the high volume of traffic, private vehicles are no longer allowed

along the Canyon and they have introduced a shuttle bus. The bus takes visitors up through the Canyon making about 10 interesting or scenic stops. At each stop you can get out, explore the area, take a hike or whatever and then catch another shuttle to take you further or back.

Our major hike and exploring was at the Temple of Sinawava, which is the last shuttle stop at the head of the Canyon. It's not a long strenuous hike but so much to see!!