Every year, Dan has to spend a few long, exhausting weeks working the NAB Convention in Las Vegas. This year, I arrived as the convention was ending. I had a massage, shopped at Nordstrom and enjoyed the pool the Trump International. Clearly,  my life is rough. I was relaxed and well rested, when we set off for Zion National Park early on Friday morning, the beginning of our mini-vacation to Utah with Niklas, Dan's coworker and friend from Germany. Dan and Niklas were shattered and I was ready to go!

From Las Vegas, It takes less than three hours to drive to Zion National Park, which includes a brief dip into the state of Arizona. 

As we approached Zion, the rocks took on a reddish hue.

We were staying at the Zion Lodge, the only hotel located within the park. We had to stop at the visitors center to pick up our red permit, which would allow our car to enter the park. Parking inside Zion is very limited. For anyone who is staying elsewhere, there is a free shuttle that makes a loop around the nearby town and into the park, stopping at all of the major trailheads.

Dan and I stayed in the Zion Lodge a few years ago and thought that it was very nice. We had the same experience this trip. The rooms are basic, but cute. They have little balconies and the bathroom has tiles with local animals on them. Here is a panorama of the communal room. I took some of my blog cards and hid them in the puzzle boxes. I've had a lot of people connect with me via blog cards that they have found. I like to hide them!

I saw this sign and I knew that they were speaking directly to me!

When Dan and I were last in Zion, we did a mega hike to Observation Point. We had intended to do the same hike this trip, but we arrived late in the day and we really we not up to a major hike. Honestly, I was relieved! We did the much easier, shorter and very beautiful hike from the Temple of Sinawava to the start of The Narrows. 

No kidding, this trail is easy. I think even wheelchairs could probably handle most of the trail. It's flat, wide and not too rocky. We arrived just a few hours prior to sunset and the light made for some gorgeous photo ops. 

Pretty rocks in the Virgin River.

The path was shady and the weather cool. Actually cold, I was walking fast to keep warm!

Chipmunks and squirrels were everywhere. It was spring and they were frisky!

Of course, we didn't feed them, but they were so friendly, that they came right up to us. I love taking pictures of signs and this was the winner.

More pictures to come in part two of my Zion National Park trip report!