Sunday, January 16, 2000

As expected, I am in Cedar City. Chris from the transmission shop said yesterday that I should get the car back between Monday and Thursday depending on what needs to be done. So I thought I would make the best out of the situation. What to do? Go sightseeing!

I was up before the dawn again, and hoping to see sunrise at Zion National Park. It was a cloudy morning and some rain was in the area, but the glow of the sun was able to break through for a moment.

I first drove to the Kolob Canyons, which is in the northwestern section of the park. There is a five mile scenic drive that has some wonderful views. After watching some Mule Deer wandering the parking area at the end of the drive, I returned to the highway and drove around to the southern section which is the main entrance to the Zion Canyon. More outstanding scenery exists in this area along two roads. On the road that goes into the main canyon, I took a self-guiding trail to an area called Weeping Rock, "a rock alcove with dripping springs." It was interesting to see such a wet area, as I have been in some very dry settings recently. The other road goes through the southern section of the park. More fine views are present. One of the most impressive parts of this drive is the 1.1 mile tunnel. The difference between what you see on either end of the tunnel is amazing!

It was early in the afternoon, and while I was at the visitor center in Zion, they had a board posting the availability of the national parks in the area. I noticed the road to the north rim of the Grand Canyon National Park was still open, to be closed after the next snow storm. I have wanted to see this side of the canyon, so I headed that direction.

It was a nice drive to the park. There was snow in some places along the route, but the road was clear up to the park. I had been to the south rim and was somewhat disappointed due to the overcrowded conditions and overrun areas. Today was like being in another world. There were five cars in the parking lot, and in all the time I was there, I saw six people! The colors were very dramatic, especially with the white snow accenting the natural shades. It was magnificent! I walked around the point stopping at all the overlooks, and spent some time sitting on a rock outcropping to relax, see, and think. The North Rim was amazing.

It was beginning to get dark, so I started driving out of the park. Almost immediately, it began to snow, and the wind was picking up. The further I drove, the stronger the snow was falling. The road out of the park, Route 67, is not plowed or patrolled after dark, so I was hoping to get to the next junction before it got too bad. Fortunately, when the snow just began covering the road, I was at the next road. The snow turned to rain and then it stopped, so the remainder of the drive was uneventful.

Tomorrow morning I call the shop to learn the status if my current predicament. I will also find out how long I will be staying here. Stay tuned for the next installment of Transmission Blues!

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