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November 2009
Travel Journal November 2009 IT ALMOST WILL BRING TEARS TO YOUR EYES, for many of us the sheer beauty of Zion certainly did. “Life is not measured by the number of breathes we take, but by the moments that take our breath away”! Zion National Park To totally grasp just how special this area is you must enter driving Hwy 89 south connecting to Hwy 9 west. It all really begins at Checkerboard Mesa and you will marvel at the landscape just staring in awe. Stop and absorb the grandeur not seen elsewhere. Once entering the one mile tunnel carved out of the mountain in 1930 and as you exit the world of Zion unfolds. You have arrived, “All this is the music of the waters…..” I gaze at the wonder of it all. This morning I woke and had my coffee while reclining on the passenger seat looking outward viewing the awesome beauty of this Land. Zion, appropriately named for its majesty towering cliffs colored in sand, red, brown, and green. A Century of Sanctuary 1909-2009, a time highlighting the last 100 years of events, people, and places of Zion National Park. John Muir suggests “Keep close to Nature’s heart….. break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.” Yes, I am here and have come to Zion so I “may your spirit be renewed and soar as high as the highest cliffs.” As the leaves rain down on my RV and petals stack on the Suzuki tow vehicle, then as the sun shines its warmth, I look about and know the Lord’s presence. It was below freezing this morning for as Bijou and I took an early morning walk we found puddles of crystals frozen in water. Zion, a place to relax, to look about, to enjoy this wonderful creation of God, and wonder what will the harvest be this time, this journey? Will the cliffs with its grandeur allowing us to think big yet feel small? The song of the river, the smell of the coming winter, the carpet of golden leaves blanketing the ground? One can hardly imagine coming from Las Vegas, a four hour drive, to this. Zion, oh mighty Zion! Such a diversity, the Altar of Sacrifice, Angels Landing, Checkerboard Mesa, Emerald Pools, The Watchman, and many more. Mormon pioneer Isaac Behunin named Zion Canyon, and said “these are the Temples of God, built without the use of human hands. A man can worship God among these great cathedrals as well as in any man-made church – this is Zion”. In Hebrew it means, a place of safety and refuge. Revive us again, Fill each heart with Thy love; May each soul be rekindled With fire from above. – Mackay To enjoy Zion you really must be here to appreciate the beauty of this National Park and stay at least a week, some folks come every year for a month. Wildlife abounds and I have seen flocks of wild Turkeys and herds of Deer. I hiked different trails and did Angels Landing. It was more of a steep hike and then rock climb ascending a sheer face with a vertical drop thousands of feet behind me. You can be sure I was saying prayers. Chains are installed to help the climb. The elevation starts at 4,000 feet at the Watchman Camp. Angels Landing was an ascent of 1,488 feet a hike-climb. I quote “All this is the music of waters”. John Wesley Powell, 1895. What more can I say? All of you need to visit Zion at least once in your lifetime. You will be blessed. I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving shared with family and loved ones! I will be in Los Angeles with my youngest daughter. My Fondest Aloha, Wendell's November Photos Click on the Thumbnail to Enlarge
Webmasters: John & Judy McCain
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