simplybrad

Last night I had a sandwich and an Amstel in my room. It was okay but I was not happy. I thought I might have a good meal to celebrate my birthday. No such luck. I went to a place called the Spotted Dog Cafe. Skip this place. I was seated only after wandering around to find the hostess. Once seated, I never was waited on. We are talking 20 plus minutes of trying to get someone's attention. I ended-up leaving the place. Fodor's calls it a "pearl in the desert." Skip this place. After todays activities, I resolve to find a place off the main drag.

I am up around 8:00 am local time. I slept great. I am in no hurry today. Laying in bed I turn on the news. It is a terrible day. The tragedy in London is appalling. These terrorist suck. They will not be seeing Allah. They are going straight to hell. No where does any religion condone the slaughter of innocent, unarmed civilians for any reason. I think about my friends Bill and Steph and their family.

I shower and get dressed. While packing the news is on the television. Bags packed and loaded and one last sweep to see what I left in the room, I check out.

It is gorgeous out and I am looking forward to the days activities. Into the park I grab a camping spot. Setting up camp, I get on my shorts and Teva sandals. The Teva's are my only other shoes except for my riding boots. I can't possible hike in those.

While setting up the camp I have decided to take the shuttle up to Temple of Sinawava and take the River Walk Trail.

After I get a cup of coffee. Preferably an Americano. No cream. Maybe iced.

I didn't make it to the River Walk Trail. Instead I disembarked at the Grotto stop to catch the trailhead for Angels Landing. The map says it is a "strenuous" five mile round-trip hike. Sounded like fun. You climb 1500 feet up from the canyon floor. The trail begins nice and easy. After the first mile you start climbing. Plenty of switchback turns but the trail is groomed and the footing is easy for the next mile. The last half-mile is where all the fun is. Through this part you have a narrow rock ridge to traverse. A slip to either side is an express route to the canyon floor. To aide in your accent to the top, chains have been added. At the top you are treated to a spectacular 360 degree view of the canyon.

Sitting atop Angels Landing, I try my phone. Service. I have service. It is roaming but that is covered in my plan. I call Austin and talk to him. Left a message with Conner. I call a few other friends. It is kinda cool that I can actually call someone from atop this rock.

Back down the half-mile, I take a right on the trail and hike a mile up the West Rim Trail heading further north and west. I see more of the canyon but know I can't go further since it comes out at Lava Point - a couple of days away. I head back to the Grotto stop. All together I think I have hiked about 7 miles. I think that is enough for one day. Talk about stretching your legs after a couple of days of heavy riding.

After getting back to the Visitor's Center, I have some water, salad and cantaloupe for a snack. Delicious and refreshing. It is 104 degrees. Hot. I get some more water and head to camp.

As I am walking up to my camp, I realize I forgot to hoist my duffle bag up into the trees. The squirrels have chewed a hole in the bag and are busy working on a Clif Bar. He is lounging across the back tire and exhausts enjoying his meal. I hoist the bag up so they cannot get to it.

Refreshed after a dip in the Virgin River with a bar of soap and put on a clean set of clothes. I give the folks a call to let them now I am not part of the pavement anywhere and then head into the town of Springdale for a good meal.

Remember, I am on a mission. I drive by the Spotted Dog and flip it off. I will not be back there. I drove all through town and then did a u-turn to go back. I had a destination, Oscar's Cafe. It is located on a side street and I missed it on the previous day. More of a local hip place. Very promising. I was right. I had Talapia tacos with a great salad. Delicious. I would say it is by far the best fish tacos I have ever eaten. If you are ever in Springdale, this place is a must.

While enjoying my dinner, I was rewarded to a beautiful sunset and an espresso. Nice finale to the day.

On the way back to camp I show the Ranger my pass to get back into the park. Turns out he is from Chicago and has been in Zion for a year. Before Zion he was in Yellowstone N.P.

I am happy that I stayed the extra day. Zion is a unique place like no other. I will be bringing the boy back here one day. Maybe on their own bikes.