Friday, September 26, 2014

2014 August Southern Utah vacation: Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon, Snow Canyon

For a very long time I've been wanting to go to Southern Utah and check out some of our National Parks around there.  So in the winter of 2013,  when we were talking about where to go in the summer of 2014 and I saw that an RCI exchange into the  St. George Worldmark resort was available for the last week of August, we decided to book it.  Shortly after booking it, some friends asked if we were still going to show them around Oregon in 2014.  So, our Southern Utah trip turned out to be the beginning of a fantastic 3 week long trip, with a night in Las Vegas and 2 weeks in Oregon to follow our 6 nights in Utah.  I've included a link to our Oregon trip at the end of this post.

Unfortunately, shortly after making our plans, I started having pulled and torn calf muscles.  After about 5 months and about 50 torn calf muscles, I finally went for physical therapy (something I've never done before).  It seemed to help, for awhile.  Didn't pull or tear any calf muscles for about 2 months, but then noticed some pretty severe knee pain.  Went to the Dr. and was told I needed surgery to remove some torn cartilage, but by then it was too close to our trip, so surgery was scheduled for the week I got back.  So, although I had a great 3 week trip!, I also suffered a lot while walking.  Ken was probably happy, though, since I didn't insist on many of the hikes in the canyon.  The torn calf muscles (in both legs) occurred again, as well as the  knee pain, so I hobbled a lot.  Really felt like an old lady!!!!

Aug.23, 2014:

Aug. 24, 2014 -- Bryce Canyon National Park:

Aug. 25, 2014 --- Snow Canyon:

Aug. 26, 2014 --- Zion:

Aug. 27, 2014 --- another day around the St. George area:

Aug. 28, 2014 --- North Rim of the Grand Canyon:

Aug. 29, 2014 --- leaving St. George:

This was a big bucket list trip!  In fact, it remains on my bucket list to see again!

Tomorrow----on to OREGON