The Traveling Idiots-Where The Tuck Are They Now?: Zion National Park and a ghost town.

Beth assures me that although I can't remember it, I've been to Zion National Park. It was quite a few years back and a quick pass through so I'm not overly concerned that I can't remember it. Plus I haven't lost my keys, wallet or phone in a while so all is good. What I can say about Zion can be summed up in one simple, three letter word........wow!
The changing colors of the 3,000+ foot slot canyon walls surrounding you, combined with the Virgin River make for some great scenery everywhere you look in and around this park. It's a total different experience than the Grand Canyon because here you're on the ground looking up at a much narrower canyon with rugged peaks instead of standing on the rim looking down (you can hike down into the Grand Canyon on steep, narrow trails). I'm not taking anything away from the Grand Canyon, that would be downright un-American and wrong. We don't like to compare experiences but if I had to pick the Grand Canyon or Zion I'd pick..........that we don't like to compare experiences.
We're staying at a SpringHills Suites in the small city of Springdale which is just outside the park. The property is exceptionally nice with an outstanding team and a perfectly maintained hot tub that we've put to good use every day.  Zion NP is much smaller than the Grand Canyon NP (1,900 sq miles/ 229 sq miles) but has some really great hiking trails that we've explored. Most are located off a road called the "Scenic Drive" which is a funny name because while the scenery on that road is exceptional it's really no different than anywhere in the park. We've enjoyed the Temple of Sinawava Riverside Trail, Weeping Rock Trail and Emerald Pool Trail so far and will probably take in a few more today before heading out of this area to explore the other four of Utah's "Mighty Five" National Parks.
https://www.nps.gov/zion/index.htm
https://www.visitutah.com/places-to-go/most-visited-parks/the-mighty-5/
Yesterday we drove South along Highway 9 for a few miles to the small community of Riverdale. In Riverdale we turned off the highway, crossed a one lane bridge with a no passing sign, and after a few miles on a dirt road found ourselves in the Ghost Town of Grafton. It was founded in the 1800's by members of the Mormon Church and at one point in it's history had a one room school house with over forty children. While the last remaining settlers families didn't leave until the 1940's many had abandoned the area by the turn of the century.  Struggles with the native Americans, the harsh conditions and diseases drove them out of the area. There are a few remaining buildings that are being restored as well as a very interesting small cemetery that helps tell the story of their struggle to survive. A small plaque at the cemetery described the challenges they faced and pointed specifically to the winter of 1866. In the span of just four months (Jan-April) seven children died of diphtheria along with one mother of two of the children. Two other children died in an accident and three young adults in their 20's were listed as "killed by Indians". On a lighter note (thankfully), the little Ghost town is also known as the location from a famous scene in the movie Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. It's the scene with Butch (Paul Newman) and Etta (Katherine Ross) riding the bike while "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head" is playing in the background. The house in the scene was built for the movie but the church next to it is the original church for the community.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_5l6rIUu4A
https://roadtrippers.com/us/rockville-ut/points-of-interest/grafton-ghost-town
I would highly recommend spending an hour or so in Grafton if you're in the neighborhood. Speaking of recommendations, you gotta eat! We've found two good ones. Oscars in Springdale and River Rock Roasters in La Verkin.  We split a huge burger at Oscars, making sure we had left room for their "Carrot Cake to Die For", which was exceptional. At River Rock Roasters we enjoyed an outdoor table overlooking the Virgin River while munching on what was described on the menu as a Thai Inspired "Phuket Pizza". The fusion of Thai and Pizza knocked it out of the park!
https://oscarscafe.com/
https://www.riverrockroasters.com/
We learned a couple of days ago of the passing of Beth's Uncle (NaNa's younger brother), Blake Whisenant. Blake was an exceptional person. He was a leader in the field of Agriculture. He was a member of the Florida Agriculture Hall of Fame and inventor of the Earth Box Gardening System. NaNa has shared with us that in his youth Blake was also a skilled checker player and actor.  She loves to tell us about how hard he was to beat in checkers and that on Saturdays that they would frequently go to see the latest Gene Autry or Roy Rogers movie. Afterwards the rest of the day would be spent reenacting all the big scenes from the movie. Most importantly, Blake was a true gentleman who cared for everyone. We sure could use a few more Blake's in the world these days!
http://www.bradenton.com/news/local/article200359334.html
https://earthbox.com

Zion National Park

The drive through Zion National Park-Not the "scenic road" :)

Also not taken from the "scenic road"

Start of the River Trail

Along the River Trail

It was Valentines Day. We had a contest to see who could find the best "heart shaped rock". Beth found the one on the left and center. I found the one on the right. If you ask me they look more like a small and a large kidney bean and a worn sharks tooth.