Headed to Arizona and Four Corners

Adding another state:

 Salt River Project-Navajo Generating Station (coal fired power plant) near Lake Powell:

 Views going towards Four Corners:

 Four Corners:

 State Seals:

Quick lunch before heading towards Pagosa Springs:

A tour of Springdale and catching a couple of last minute things before leaving Zion National Park

On our last day at Zion we took a tour of the town of Springdale, collected some Moqui balls to bring home and then quenched our thirst at the Zion Canyon Brewpub.

 

Great views and

wonderful outdoor seating!

 We still needed an ice cream sandwich to get rid of our hunger.  

 We headed over to the Visitor Center so the kids could get their Junior Ranger badges.

 We hadn't stopped to see the Court of the Patriarchs yet.  They are from right to left:  Abraham, Issac, and Jacob.

 The next day we headed out the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway.  It had been dark when we'd come in that way so it was all new territory.  The windows in the tunnels were pretty cool.

 Bighorn Sheep:

 Checkerboard Mesa:

Watchman Trail

This trail started out of the campground.  There weren't many flowers out this time of year but we did run across some along this trail.  The Indian Paintbrush were pretty.

Walking up the trail provided nice view of the Towers of the Virgin and the West Temple.

 Looking for wildlife:

 Then we found this deer right in front of us, no need for binoculars!

 Hike: Watchman Trail
Trails Used: Watchman Trail

Distance:  4.53 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Overall average: 2.2 mph
Overall Time: 2 hr, 03 min
Total Ascent: 1153 ft.

Temple of Sinawava & the Emerald Pool

On the Temple of Sinawava trail we saw a fair amount of wildlife.  Deer (impressive that they were down in this canyon),

water bugs,

and many beggar squirrels

by this pretty pool of water.

The kids were carried across the river to the other side 

 by Daddy.

Hike: Temple of Sinawava
Trails Used: Riverside Walk

Distance:  3.15 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Overall average: 3.3 mph
Overall Time: 57 min
Total Ascent: 5 ft.

The Emerald Pool hike was underwhelming but pleasant.  It was a busy trail and didn't have very much water in the waterfall. It was nice to get out and stretch the legs after being in the car all day.

Hike: Emerald Pool
Trails Used: Emerald Pool to the Grotto

Distance:  4.32 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Overall average: 2.6 mph
Overall Time: 1 hr, 40 min
Total Ascent: 109 ft.

Tent camping @ Zion National Park

Site D20 was tucked in with great views.  The tent pad was big enough for two decent sized tents. Our campsite didn't get sun until 10 am every morning so it was chilly (25-35 degrees).  Make sure you have plenty of firewood to keep the troops happy!  We were one of the last sights to have sun in the evening however.

We had room to play catch,

and natural area to introduce Dots to the deer passing by.

There was plenty of time to relax,

catch up on our reading, 

fill out our Junior Ranger books,

and even play a game of Uno or two.

After a hike one afternoon we discovered something has gotten into my apples.  I guess he got full after 1/2 of one or scared off.

We needed lots of fires.  The morning temps were 20-30 degrees but did warm up quickly once the sun hit the campground.

These cheese brats from Horton's in South Dakota were tasty with crescent rolls wrapped around them.

The pie irons were good cookie warming trays for that perfect warm, gooey, right out of the oven texture.

We also had time to decorate our windows,

or for a quick nap!

The kids had no problem staying warm at night.  They are fantastic cocooners!

It goes without saying that the stars were amazing every night!