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February 28
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Saturday March 6, 2004
We made the conscience decision to spend the day scoping things out and planning our stay at the park. First stop was the Visitor’s Center for maps and information. All the trails were reported open and clear (not completely true). There was some snow visible high up on the canyon walls, but that’s all. We would have beautiful blue skies the full time we were there. So, we drove up the main road for the park, which is still open to vehicular traffic at this time of the year. Starting April 1, the main road is closed to private vehicles and can only be visited using the frequently scheduled shuttles. Our first stop was the Museum to see a movie about the park. As we were getting out of the car, a silver PT Cruiser pulled up next to us. It was the same man from Coyote Buttes! This time he had his wife with him (she had stayed in Kanab instead of walking into Coyote Buttes). Introductions all around and promptly forgotten. We stopped at most of the turnouts and hiked two of the shorter trails - to Weeping Rock and the River Walk. Weeping Rock was interesting, but not photogenic. River Walk is more promising. We had left the camera equipment behind on purpose. This was a scout day. After exploring the canyon, we returned to the hotel and walked across the street to the library to see if they had internet access. Yup. $1.00 for half an hour. If no one is waiting, that can be extended. We also asked the librarian for restaurant recommendations. Came away with some good information. So, we noted the library hours and left. I pulled together my notes and planned our hiking days. No matter how I put it together, though, I just couldn’t justify seven full nights here. So, we called Delta and got our return flights moved up two days. There was a fee for changing the dates, of course, but it was about the same as we would have spent on hotels and meals for those two days, so we changed the dates. Dinner that night was at the Switchback. I had an excellent piece of trout and Carl had a steak. The food was good, but the place was a bit pretentious and overpriced. |