September 6, 2007

September 6, 2007

Zion National Park’s premier attraction is the slot canyons of the Upper Virgin River, known as the “Narrows”. They are not easy to reach. In the morning we take the park shuttle into the little town of Springdale, just outside the gate of Zion. At Zion Adventure Company, we rent river boots and a wading staff. Back at the RV we pack our lunch and take the park shuttle deep into Zion Canyon. At the last stop we walk the mile-long river walk trail. At the end we get our feet wet and continue our hike in the river itself. To get to the narrowest of the “Narrows”, we have to sludge our way upstream. It is slow going. The river is muddy, swift and cold and the riverbed is rocky making each step treacherous. Aimee is not enjoying the hike at all and she lets me know this is the dumbest thing we have done. Unfortunately Aimee’s two left feet make me look like I am as surefooted as a mountain goat. But she persists. We are not turning back.

After a couple of hours we reach Wall Street, where the cliffs are so tall and so close together it looks like the caverns of New York City’s downtown. We walk along Wall Street enjoying it for a while. We then back track to Orderville Creek, a small stream that entered the Virgin from the right. We follow that upstream and it is even narrower.

On the way back out, Aimee’s coffee habit comes back to bite her and she can’t wait to get back. Suddenly she is surefooted and is pushing me along. With her confidence riding high she is now smiling and enjoying the hike. It is also sunnier and warmer now. She loves me again.