April 30

In the 30s last night in camp. Had the little heater going all night, so it wasn't bad. Slept in a little and, finally, got going around 9:00 a.m., a late start for us.

Drove into Springdale and had breakfast at a restaurant called Bumbleberry's. OK, but nothing special. Then we drove to the visitors' center. John changed into his hiking gear and caught the shuttle out to the lodge. The Kayenta trail starts there. He hiked it to the middle Emerald Pool then hiked that trail to the Grotto and back to lodge, where he had lunch. He then rode the shuttle back to the visitors' center and hiked the Watchman Trail, which goes up the mountain behind the main campground. He then took the town shuttle into Springdale and our motel.

While he was doing all this, I birded around the visitors' center. Then I drove to the town park and bird watched there. Had lunch at Blondie's, then I went to the grocery and a gift shop. By then it was time to check into the motel, which I did. Then I went just around the corner to do our laundry. I just arrived back at the room, and was talking to Karen on the cell, when I saw John through the window.

We went to dinner at a great restaurant just across from our motel. It is called Zion Pizza and Noodle Co. Everything is made from scratch. John had a really good pasta special, and I had some great pizza. They do not accept credit cards, however. This for any hikers who are reading this.

Now back in the room catching up on gmail and blogging, as we did not have internet last night or cell either in the campground.

Going to try to send some pictures in a separate blog entry. Wish me luck!

More tomorrow from Zion...

John and Elaine