We desperately needed to get out of town. The last night we spent in our tent was the day before we marched across the US/Canada border on the Pacific Crest Trail. That was over a year ago. There isn't a day that goes by that we don't think about and miss the trail. Life at present day could not be more different. So we made a spur of the moment decision to get the heck out of dodge. We asked our awesome neighbors to watch and feed the animals, we got the wee one a fleece outfit from REI, dug out our gear, and hit the road.
Driving north on I 15 was liberating. Wow - a real vacation. Just us (and the new addition of course). I spent a considerable amount of time in the backseat keeping Julian sane but it didn't matter because that is just how it is now. Neither of us had ever been to Zion before. The increasingly unique landscape as we approached Zion hinted at how beautiful it would be. And it was. It was absolutely awesome.
When we got there, we paid our fee and went to the visitor's center like good little tourons. I had already researched the camping situation and we knew that we wanted to stay in the backcountry. Still traumatized from the chaos that was Yosemite in 2004 when we hiked the John Muir Trail, we wanted to be as far away from the masses as we could possibly be. I found a backcountry campground on the fringe of the park boundary. Elevation ~ 8000ft. Six tent camping sites. Pit toilets and no showers (a good way to weed out most folks). Perfect.
The campground was about an hour away from the park entrance. The drive was awesome. When we got there, it was clear that it was going to be a smidge colder than the weather forecast had predicted. We were a little concerned about Julian, but after he had dinner, he slept more solid than he ever had before. I slaughtered Eagleye at a game of Gin Rummy 500 while he slept. He is normally a pretty squirmy baby but he didn't make a peep or move an inch for hours and hours. In fact, he had his best night sleep yet. We zipped our bags together and he slept between us with plenty of wiggle room. What did that mean for us? We had the worst night sleep ever. We were both squished up against either wall of the tent. Even if we hadn't been so squished, our senses were so heightened for fear that he would suffocate in the down, that neither of us could drift off too soundly. I think he slept for almost 13 hours (with a few feedings of course), which was (and still is) his all time personal best.
We finally started to stir when the sun hit the tent. The low was easily in the mid 30's so we stayed in until it warmed up a bit. Julian, at a mere 7 weeks, was a champion camper. He'll make a fine thru hiker. As for us, we'll be fine as long as we get a wider tent. We leisurely packed up and hit the road. After a short but fun hike (technically Julian's second), it was time to head home. It was certainly a memorable weekend.
As usual, check out the pix on our shutterfly page.
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