Christina’s Journey Journal

Category: United States

  • Day 2 on the Trail in Zion National Park – Angels Landing😇

    Day 2 on the Trail in Zion National Park – Angels Landing😇

    We did it! Well…I did it. Not sure there was ever any question my son couldn’t do it🤣

    “It” means hiking Angels Landing, a 1,488-foot tall rock formation in Zion National Park. It stands 5,790 feet tall and provides the most amazing, surreal views of the canyon. It literally took my breath away!

    This was by far the HARDEST 4 hour hike (5 miles out and back) I have ever done. 21 switch backs called Walter’s Wiggles, 1,500 foot elevation gain, and then we got on (what I call) “the chains course” for the longest last 1/2 mile of my life. You now need a permit to hike Angels Landing and we were the lucky lottery winners for today. I highly recommend this hike for adventure seekers but not for anyone fearful of heights or with two left feet! You can hear my out-of-breathe narration below if you want to add to your hiking bucket list.

    ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️
    At the top!
    The weather was perfect—sunny and high 70s (Fahrenheit)

    We found out it’s called Angel’s Landing because a Methodist minister, Frederick Vining Fisher, once said that because it’s so massive that only angels might land on it. It’s indeed tall at 5,770 feet with rock from the Jurassic period. The trail is rated as one of the most dangerous hikes in the USA. There are no guard rails and 14 people have died due to falls. We played it safe in all ways – sunscreen + light weight clothing, plenty of water and snacks, took our time, used the chains, stayed away from the edges, and followed the rules of the park. Also, I didn’t take any photos/videos unless I was on a plateau or at a safe stopping point. Call me cautious but I wanted to write this post!

    Angels Landing used to be a very congested trail, thus the reason for the lottery, which designated our date and start time. Make sure you check the park’s website for details – they have a season lottery (which we did) or a day before lottery.

    Logan using the chains to descend.
  • Zion National Park – On the trails today 🥾

    Zion National Park – On the trails today 🥾

    As I write this I can barely stand. That’s what happens when I try to keep up with my athlete son who is 23! Almost 12 miles. Almost 28,000 steps. 60 flights climbed. My legs are screaming!

    Here’s me and my legs before they were screaming

    We started our day at about 8:00 am with the Watchman Trail. Elevation gain was around 650 feet and the sun wasn’t too bad since it was early and partly shaded. The wildflowers were abundant and added that little something extra to the hike.

    At the end of Watchman Trail

    Right now you cannot drive your car into Zion National Park. They have a well-oiled bus system that makes 9 stops throughout the park, starting at the visitors center and ending at the Temple of Sinowava (The Narrows, Riverside Walk). And there’s another bus line that makes 9 steps in Springdale, UT and takes you into the park at Zion Canyon Village so that you don’t have to drive at all. It’s an outstanding free perk! Stop 4 is right outside our hotel. That said, it’s only .9 miles to the visitor’s center so we walked there this morning, and then walked home.

    After completing the Watchman Trail, we hopped on the bus and then took The Grotto to Kayenta Trail and then on to the Emerald Pools Trails (lower, middle and upper). Another elevation gain of about 650 feet. Gorgeous waterfalls and hanging gardens. And the rocks! I said to my son, “gosh, these rocks never get old” and that smartie says “But they are old, Mom—they’re 270 million years old!” Ba-dum-bump.

    The Virgin River may not look like much, but it’s mighty enough to continue to erode through this canyon, shaping and carving what you see here!
    The lower Emerald Pool
    Cooling off from the waterfall spray
    The upper Emerald Pool
    Another view of the gorgeous upper Emerald Pool
    Lots of sand in the shoes in this hike

    We ate lunch after hiking at Cafe Soleil, a cute little breakfast, lunch and coffee shop that caters to hikers with smoothies and fresh food. Lots of gluten free options, including bread. For gluten free folks, it’s always a nice surprise when we can have a sandwich! Dinner was MeMe’s Cafe where we sat outside and enjoyed delicious homemade crepes (also had gluten free batter for the crepes).

    Now it’s time for bed because tomorrow is a hike we’re been waiting to do for years!

  • Springdale, UT – on the doorstep of Zion National Park🇺🇸

    Springdale, UT – on the doorstep of Zion National Park🇺🇸

    After landing in Las Vegas, we rented a car for the 3 hour drive to Southwest Utah. We arrived at a breathtaking place called Zion National Park, found at the junction of the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin, and Mojave Desert regions. We’ve here for the long Memorial Day weekend, filled with hiking, hiking, and more hiking. Oh and lots of people. Last year during this same weekend Zion saw 82,000 people! I guess you can say it’s the calm before the swarm (of people).

    I was curious as to what “Zion” means — and I found many answers: “highest point”, “utopia”, “holy place”, “Israel”, “heaven”.
    Our view just walking down the street!
    My son is with me on this trip because we are both hiking aficionados
    The honeysuckle! One of my favorite smells.💛
    Springdale, UT is charming, the resort is comfortable, and the Virgin River is out our back door. We had some really yummy rotisserie chicken for dinner from Camp Outpost (along with sweet potato hummus)

    Let the hiking begin!

  • NOLA didn’t disappoint!🇺🇸

    NOLA didn’t disappoint!🇺🇸

    First time in New Orleans last week and what a beautiful city. Here are a few pictures from a quick afternoon walk. I will need to return as there is so much to see! The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is this weekend so I’m sure the city isn’t sleeping🎉

    St. Louis Cathedral – the oldest, continual use cathedral in the U.S.
    The heart of NOLA
    Jackson Square
    Fritzels – European Jazz Pub
    Making music since 1969
  • Washington D.C. 🇺🇸

    Washington D.C. 🇺🇸

    On April 4th, 2023 my dad was called for his honor flight to Washington, D.C. He’s been waiting about 4 years and the day had finally arrived! Along with 56 other veterans, the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight organization made the day incredibly special for each of them.

    The day started when we arrived at Lambert International Airport at 3:00 am. After we walked through security, they served the veterans breakfast at the gate. Here Dad is showing off his breakfast sandwich 🤣. More importantly, he’s wearing his dog tags from Vietnam and his father’s from WWII.
    The agenda for our day of honor
    Headed to Washington D.C. to see the memorials. Onboard were two WWII veterans (tan shirts), 19 Korean (burgundy shirts), and 35 ish Vietnam (green shirts).
    Mid-air we lowered the shades, turned on the flight attendant call button, and flipped the switch on the bracelet each veteran was wearing. The plane glowed blue and we had 30 seconds of silence to honor those who couldn’t be with us today.
    Here we come!
    The fire trucks are there to great us with a water salute…rainbow and all! 🌈
    Welcome to DC! Everywhere we went people were so appreciative and let our veterans know!
    Once we arrived we loaded up on 3 buses.
    We were on the “red” bus ❤️
    First stop—The Lincoln Memorial and a group photo
    Honoring these Missouri veterans
    Taking in all in!
    Dad found the name of his high school buddy on the Wall. He was able to do a rub.
    Honoring so many who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. 🇺🇸 Dad was in Vietnam in 1968.
    After a brief lunch courtesy of Mission BBQ, we then went to the WWII Memorial
    Honoring his father at the WWII memorial. My grandfather was in D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge. He was part of the Army Corp of Engineers who built bridges.
    At the Iwo Jima Memorial
    Arlington National Cemetery – Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
    We saw the changing of the guard.
    The Sweet Adelines serenading us during dinner at the Air Force Memorial during. It was such a gorgeous day!
    An old fashioned Mail Call for the veterans. Dad spent the entire flight home opening/reading 85 cards and letters! Each one was so moving.
    Coming home to a parade! The number of people at the airport to welcome home the veterans was astonishing.
    That smile says it all. A long overdue welcome home, especially for the Vietnam Vets!🇺🇸
    The welcoming committee, aka family ❤️
    55 years later and a welcome home each of those veterans deserved

    A very long, rewarding, and inspiring day. The stories, the laughter, the tears, and the honor. Thank you for your service. ❤️🤍💙