We woke up at 4:30 again, but we were dragging. At least we had a plan: get to the park & drive straight to the Zion tunnel to reach the Canyon Overlook Trail, then do Cantakerous Ranger’s recommended Sand Bench hike. The night before, Sofina & I measured our truck’s width to make sure we didn’t need a special permit for oversized vehicles in the tunnel (“If your vehicle is 11’4″ tall or taller or 7’10” wide or wider, you will need a tunnel permit.” This means rangers at either side have to stop traffic so you can go thru alone.) Our truck measured 7’4″ wide with the mirrors folded in.
I drove us up the series of switchbacks, NOT looking over the narrow, guardrailLESS roads, wondering what this 1-mile tunnel would be like (and if my new claustrophobia quirk would pop up again).
We saw a hole in the giant canyon wall that looked man-made. TJ hopped out & read the sign – the holes were cut to let in air & light and carry-out rubble as they worked on it).
We made it through the tunnel. The parking lot at this hike holds maybe 8 compact cars, & it was full, so we looked for parking along the road (& we gasped at cars with their tires parked right. on. the. edge. of. a. cliff). Luckily, we found a spot where our truck could snuggle up against a solid wall of red sandstone. Sometimes I wonder if we’re too careful, & then I’m reminded of the difference between adventurous & stupid.
We walked along the road to the trailhead & read the trail sign. It mentioned something like, “minor drop-offs and handrails,” and “not recommended for those affected by heights.” Suuuuper. I’d assumed since it was only 1 mile long, and an “overlook,” it would be simple & safe. I apparently have a different connotation of “overlook.” Everything here is on a superhuman scale – the scale doesn’t even make sense. This sure was an overlook, as in you look right over the edge of a cliff & can’t even see the bottom. The trail is mostly a path carved out of sandstone along a cliff. I hugged that cliff & drove the kids crazy, reminding them to BE CAREFUL. We could hear the river, & it was loud, but it was so far down into the slit of the canyon that we couldn’t even see it! As usual, it was absolutely worth it (to the kids, especially to play with chipmunks on a mountain). — Also, if an 80-year-old rancher from Texas offers to take your family photo at an overlook, kindly say “no thank you” & ask the Instagrammer ladies on the cliff risking their lives for the perfect shot – they know what they’re doing – picture-wise, at least. —
As TJ drove us back thru the tunnel, I mentioned how scary it would be to be a miner relying on a canary in a cage to keep you alive. The kids were curious about what I meant, & I told them how miners used to rely on canaries to detect carbon monoxide & gasses in the tunnels. TJ said, “There’s a Police song called Canary in a Coalmine!” It also reminded the kids of the “pit ponies” that were used to haul coal in mines – some were reportedly born underground & never lived outside the mines! It’s so cool as a family to share bits of info we have learned & experience them together! So many people worry about education, but this is the type of education that means the most.
When we made it back down to the Visitor Center at 9 am, the lot was completely full, with cars idling everywhere, waiting to snag a spot if one became available (ironically, the night before, we’d watched a Simpsons episode where Homer messes with people in a parking garage, taunting them that he’s leaving his spot when he has no intention of doing so). Cantankerous Ranger gave us such a weird vibe yesterday that we didn’t feel like fighting this crowd to go on his recommended hike. I said we should head for Kolob Canyons, to the Taylor Creek Trail, the part of the park 40 miles away. I’d read it was less-visited and just as beautiful. The speed limit to get there was 80! When we got there the lot was full, but we were able to quickly get a spot after another hiker left.
As we hiked, we discussed where we’d build our cabin if we were settlers. The trail crossed through the creek 28 times in the 3 miles we explored. We had our picnic lunch at the homesteader’s cabin just up from the river. Picnics on the trails are becoming our favorite. We discussed how thankful we’d be to have that shabby cabin if we’d spent 6 months traveling across the country in the mid-1800s. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to hike to the end as we needed to get home to Stout.
I’ve said in here before that one of our strongest skills is our adaptability. Today was another example of that. When the visitor lot was full at our first stop, it could’ve ruined our day. But, we quickly adapted & ended up doing what became our favorite hike in Zion National Park! It was the perfect last hike in Zion for us, & it being unplanned & a surprise made it all the better!
We stopped for more coffee and smoothies. Again, we still had most of the day ahead of us. That evening, we made dinner together. The boys grilled hot dogs on the charcoal grill, Sofina made her mac & cheese, & I made coleslaw.
TJ & I headed out for a walk around the campground under the waxing crescent moon. Walking is our thing. We plan, daydream, problem-solve, & reminisce. After 6.5 miles of hiking that day, we ended up walking another mile around the campground with Stout. Stout was happy, uninhibited, dog-like… he’d run back to us & playfully “punch” us & then run off again. If a dog can skip, that’s what he was doing. It was a good, good day for us all!
Go Big and Go Roam 
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