Zion National Park

From Bryce Canyon it wasn't a long drive to Kanab, 

where we checked into a Holiday Inn Express.

It was good to know our next day's visit to Zion National Park was close.

There was something beautiful about the color of the road leading to this canyon - 

a pristinely clean vintage look, maybe intensified by the colors of the cliffs.

We passed through several tunnels, one being a mile long, with no lights.

Every once in a while we'd see light coming in from a window,

as you can see in the photo in the center.

We parked at a view point outside to see where we'd just come from.

It was a breathtaking view - and was so from all around.

The tunnel went straight through this mountain from left to right.

You can see a few of the windows.

With limited parking, we ended up taking the shuttle from 

Springdale, situated on the other side of the park entrance. 

We got off to see a range of mountains called The Court of the Patriarchs,

named for the towering figures of the Old Testament - Abram, Isaak and Jacob

(with Mount Moroni and Sentinel in there as well)

These peaks rise close to 7,000 feet,

their grandeur intensified by being so close to them.

We were surprised and a bit overwhelmed as to the choices of trails to follow.

The shuttle dropped visitors off accordingly. 

We opted for an easy trail to see the Lower and Upper Emerald Pools.

Waterfall spray adds to the lush surroundings

with a labyrinth of trails leading and looping in many directions.

We followed steps up and down,

stopped for our packed picnic lunch,

admired the canyon beauty,

and the wildlife that had no concern about people watching them feed.

It was another very amazing day!

As we drove away 

I couldn't help but feel that this place could give a sense of security 

with its majestic natural walls.

A picture of a little heaven on earth.