BLOG 5: From Zion NP to Lake Powell

After the rain shower the previous evening, Zion NP presents itself in brilliant weather the next morning.

We start on the "Zion-Mount Carmel Highway", a very winding "Scenic Route" that also passes through the tunnel of the same name. To drive our RV through it, we have to pay $15 at the NP Entrance Station – the tunnel is so narrow that larger vehicles, like ours, can only pass through in the middle without oncoming traffic (which is stopped by the rangers). This year is the last opportunity for this, as this option will be discontinued next year.

Having successfully navigated the tunnel – on the other side, we continue through picturesque landscapes – you can't move quickly here because there is just so much to see.

Of course, we don't take the direct route to Page, but make a "detour" to the south, passing through the Kaibab National Forest past the Vermillion Cliffs National Monument to the Navajo Bridge and the Marble Canyon of the Colorado River.

There are two Navajo Bridges – the old one from 1929 (now only for pedestrians) and the new one from 1995, both apparently built according to the same plans. Moreover, there is almost always a California Condor to be seen, which is probably contractually obligated to show up for visitors 😊…. Here, you also enter the vast territory of the Navajos (Diné), which occupies a large part of northern Arizona, but mostly consists of barren land.

Soon we have reached our campsite at Wahweap Center by Lake Powell, the next day we will take a boat trip on the huge reservoir. Due to the low water level for years because of insufficient snowfall in the north, only smaller boats can enter the interesting side canyon. First, of course, we go to the Glen Canyon Dam and then we head into the famous Antelope Canyon. Under this name, various Navajo families have developed sources of tourist income. More about this in the next blog.

Our boat captain is amusingly named "Lans", just like the place near Innsbruck where Gerhard lived for several years during elementary school. After he learned that we are from Austria, he immediately told us about it and was quite excited to hear about Gerhard's time living there. American enthusiasm: Great, incredible, wonderful…