September 1, 2005 - Contrast
I started up the Narrows this morning. It’s a trail unlike the rest in Zion National Park because there is no trail. One just follows the river up.
I noticed how chilly the water was when I first stepped into the river to shoot a photo. It took a few moments for the water to soak through my 2 pairs of socks. As I proceeded further, my shorts got a little wet. But that was okay. Yikes! My shirt! The water was cold as it saturated my t-shirt. Then I was swimming…with my pack! Good thing I sealed the dry bag holding my camera.
Just as the ranger described, hiking the Narrows was like walking on slippery bowling balls. I had set noon as my turn-around point. As I walked further up the canyon, though it was way past my deadline, I had to see what was around the next bend…and the bend after that. It was after my 2nd “swimming” crossing that I finally turned back. I think I covered about 3 miles each way. My fingers were blue and numb but my need for adventure was quenched, for the time being.
On the way over to Page, I had to stop at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. I was hoping for pristine dunes, landscaped only by the winds. Unfortunately, ATV’s rein supreme there.
I still had a moment to realize the contrast between the morning and afternoon. First I was neck-deep, floating in a river. The next moment, I was wading through an endless landscape of sand.
And, for my reward…who would have thought that I would crack the $10 barrier for fast food!
I noticed how chilly the water was when I first stepped into the river to shoot a photo. It took a few moments for the water to soak through my 2 pairs of socks. As I proceeded further, my shorts got a little wet. But that was okay. Yikes! My shirt! The water was cold as it saturated my t-shirt. Then I was swimming…with my pack! Good thing I sealed the dry bag holding my camera.
Just as the ranger described, hiking the Narrows was like walking on slippery bowling balls. I had set noon as my turn-around point. As I walked further up the canyon, though it was way past my deadline, I had to see what was around the next bend…and the bend after that. It was after my 2nd “swimming” crossing that I finally turned back. I think I covered about 3 miles each way. My fingers were blue and numb but my need for adventure was quenched, for the time being.
On the way over to Page, I had to stop at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. I was hoping for pristine dunes, landscaped only by the winds. Unfortunately, ATV’s rein supreme there.
I still had a moment to realize the contrast between the morning and afternoon. First I was neck-deep, floating in a river. The next moment, I was wading through an endless landscape of sand.
And, for my reward…who would have thought that I would crack the $10 barrier for fast food!
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