MaMaLiRZ

#8 on our quest for 63 parks in 365 days (#quest63in365) continued in Zion National Park. One of the World’s favorite parks, we quickly understood why. Zion combines all the colors of Utah into one National Park. The green of Bryce Canyon’s trees with the red earth of Capital Reef, Zion welcomes exploration.

Angel’s Landing, the Narrows, Subway and the Waves as well as many other trails are all accessible to everyone. Some are encumbered by permits requiring a little prior planning, but all is easily manageable. Other than my furlough, this was the first impact we witnessed of the government shutdown. The Kolob Canyons Visitor Center was closed as was the road leading into the park. This forced us back to the highway and down to the South Entrance which was thriving.

In true military fashion and rigidity, we stopped for our photo and then proceeded to the Rangers’ station for their workbooks. The boys got to work and explored the visitors’ center while I explored the gift shop. Once I secured my walking stick pin and a Christmas ornament, I caught back up with the boys.

Berin’s interest in the junior ranger program was starting to wane, while Benjamin’s was sparked anew. A quick reminder to Berin that the junior ranger program is the compromise for missed school, and he was suddenly reinvigorated to complete his work.

From the South Visitors’ Center we went to hike the Emerald Falls, all three, the lower, middle and upper.

We started towards the lower and middle falls then looped to the upper falls and ultimately back to the starting point. The loop kept new and refreshing vistas all around us for the entire hike.

Dear Reader, make sure you make it to the upper falls. They were the most beautiful from our perspective. It was made all the more beautiful by seeing the lower and middle en route.

We grabbed snacks of hot dogs and pizza from the Zion Lodge. The boys played a game of “Red Rover, Red Rover”, by themselves around the old Oak tree. I struggled understanding how the game worked, one v. one, but they were happy to play an “old” game from my childhood. I sat on the rock wall approximately 30 feet away from them and watched. I emblazoned their smiles in my memory and then closed my eyes to record their laughter. All awhile, my heart sang.

Later in the evening we picked up our gear to hike The Narrows the following day. We watched a “how to” video about the dangers of the Virgin River. All eyes were on the screen. Once fitted and informed we continued on to our Little House at The Riv, Zion, for the night.

We woke early with excitement and chatted about our expectations for the trek. We jumped on the free shuttle and started on our way to the Temple of Sinawava stop. This was the last stop of the bus and the trail head for The Narrows.

The trek on The Narrows was precarious. Remember everything is fun in the first five minutes. An adventure with every rock, the flow of the river trying to whisk our feet from under us. Without notice, Berin’s walking stick was a baton, panic oozed from his face. He was down, the water pulling him to the Colorado River a month early. The roar of the water silenced any guidance I could give him. “Put your feet down.” “Stand up.” “You are okay.” “Use your stick.” “STAND UP!!” His eyes drilled into my soul, and my heart was breaking for him.

Finally he found his footing, the river had only swept him a few harrowing yards. I grabbed him in a tight hug both ensuring he was okay, and also hiding his tears of embarrassment.

“You are okay.” “It is okay.” “Are you okay?” Unsure of which of us I was talking to.

“Yes.” His response came softly.

“Shall we continue?” I whispered.

“Can you hold on to me?” He asked.

“Of course.” I responded.

My mother’s strength kept my body upright and my feet planted as I held my youngest by his britches for the next seven hours. Decision point after decision point we continued on. First came Orderville Canyon, and then we back tracked and went down Wall Street. Because the Narrows is an up and back, we had a hard time of turn around. This long day begged for extra decision points that trumped the original plan and supported a premature return. I honored their decision, equally grateful for it. My arms were tired from holding an extra 90 pounds out of the water, occasionally carrying him on my back in exceptionally deep water. My legs were snaking and shaking through the water slipping on rocks. My mind was exhausted.

Later that evening, showered and snuggled up on the couch together in our little house, we replayed our day. We never talked about the early mishap, as if talking about it would have altered the outcome. Instead we marveled at our exceptional outdoorsmanship and steadfast pace. We survived the Narrows and live to face another day.

Angels Landing will have to wait.