Day 2

ZION, UTAH

Leaving St. George, we took the 9 leading us to Zion National Park. We approached the west entrance with our $25 entrance fee in hand, and the lady told us it was free today. She said they want to help out families in this recession time. We were very grateful indeed!

While waiting our turn to drive through the 1.1 mile tunnel through the great rock, I captured this flower on the side of the road.


Inside the tunnel it was 73 degrees, 10 degrees cooler than on the outside. Julia and James liked driving through the long, dark tunnel. There were a few large openings to let in little light. Driving up the winding road to the tunnel we saw an opening from the outside and wondered how it was created as it was so high up on the sheer rock cliff. Now we know!

Flowering Cactus

Gambel Oak

(Utah White Oak)

This oak was plentiful in Zion

Checkerboard Mesa

ZION MOUNTAIN RANCH

The highlight of our day was at Zion Mountain Ranch. It is located just outside the East entrance of Zion. I anticipated us seeing Bison and having Julia and James take a pony ride within the fenced area, as the minimal age for horseback riding is 7. When we drove up there were young children petting a colt and filly, just 2 1/2 weeks and 1 month old, as they were resting on the grass. The girls are living on the ranch for the summer as they are the owners children. It was just beautiful to see.

After watching this foal have its fill of milk we inquired about a pony ride. We would have to wait 45 minutes and it was lunch time so we walked a few steps to the ranch's restaurant.

It was just a little place with a view of the country and later learned it was a four star restaurant with an amazing chef. We shared buffalo burgers, a first for us all! They were so good and learned there is less fat and fewer calories in buffalo meat than in chicken breast. What is the difference between buffalo and bison, I wondered? Now I have this song in my head, "Home, home on the range...where the buffalo roam..." I researched the difference and now I know, you can find out here ...a must have book is referenced on the "here" link.

During lunch the owner approached us and asked if we wanted to go horseback riding. Really? Could we? We were so excited!

Everyone at Zion Mountain Ranch was so kind, we could have stayed many more days.

The greens on our burger came from this garden.

Horseback riding with the family made this the best day!

Killdeer spotted on the ground nesting as we were riding by...

Looking for bison...our guides were awesome!

They took us out where the bison roam...

We didn't see any this time.

Look at those little stirrups:)

My little cowboy!

HEAP CLOUDS
Fair-weather cumulus

Found on the 89 on the way to Salt Lake City

...our rest spot for the night.

329 miles travelled

SUNSET at 8:56PM