Four Days in Springdale

Thursday I escaped. With Tiff as collaborator, Jonathan covering for me at home, and the encouragement from my cheerleaders in the office I was able to make it out -- out of the house, out of the office, out of town, just out. I am OUT. Tiff leading the way, we dodged UHP marked and unmarked cars all down I-15, slipped off the freeway onto UT-9 and cruised through the otherworlds of LaVerkin, Virgin and Rockville, finally arriving at our safe house, Canyon Ranch Motel in lovely Springdale, UT. Caren and Mark (I've never learned their last name) met us as though we'd just successfully been handed off to them on the refugee trail. After getting us settled in our temporary home, they retreated, probably to go walk the dogs (I think that's pretty much an all day project for either Caren or Mark). Thus began our retreat.

Friday was a planning day. The weather was looking rather grim -- rain, rain and rain/snow, but what the heck. If it's going to weather on us at home we might as well be here! It wasn't raining yet and we'd come prepared anyway so we went to the park (Zion National Park). Never to miss an opportunity to browse the books in the Visitor's Center, we only looked this time, no purchases although Tiff tried to interest me in the stuffed tarantula for the boys (twin grandsons). Imagination prevailed however, as I knew I couldn't ride home in the same car as that thing so we left empty-handed. Clouds were heavy with only a spot or two of blue sky but the intensity of the natural world was, as always, breathtaking. We opted out of any real hikes as the steep trails were thickly iced over. Instead, we spent time just walking (both of us), sitting (me) and taking many photos along the river (Tiff). It was indeed a wonderfully reflective time. When was the last time you just sat on a log listening to the water and birds? A highlight of the day was the rafter (did you know that's what a group is called?) of turkeys that was on the road... and on the road... and back on the road..... Fatties all, they (eight of them) just kept coming back in front of the car. This is after the helpful History Association employee at the Visitor Center had told us that if we saw turkeys not to roll down the window to take pictures because the turkeys think you are going to feed them and when you don't they jump on the car and try to get you! By the way, wild turkeys have really long, sharp claws and can rip the paint on your car to shreds. Just so you know.

Saturday was more of an indoor day. It was raining all day and since we both brought projects to work on there is no better place to work on projects than right here with the stunning scenery available from the windows. We did spend a little time with a real estate agent (sister of friend Greg) who showed us the perfect house for us here. The only obstacle is money to buy it! Anyone want to go in with us? We'll share the time here!

Sunday, our one day left. We woke up to snow! Beautiful! Lots of snow! Knowing that the canyon would be stunning with the snow we hurriedly piled into our multilayers of hoodies, jackets, beanies and scarves, grabbed cameras and batteries and headed out. The consensus was that though Zion is beautiful anytime, summer (peak tourist season) is actually the lowest on our seasonal rating. We've been here in spring-- water and waterfalls cascading from the cliffs everywhere, autumn-- leaves competing with rocks for the 'most colorful' award, and the smell! Oh my goodness, the smell of autumn in Zion triggers something primal. But Winter-- how to describe winter in Zion? One feels the need to whisper as though the slightest sound will wake something that needs to sleep a little longer. It's a tender, nurturing, pre-wakening feeling, as though the snow is lovingly protecting the life that will soon emerge. No turkeys or deer and few birds today, just stillness and intense color -- reds deepened by the wetness and dark green of the trees all accentuated by the whiteness of the beautiful snow.
Tomorrow I will retrace my way back home and Tiff goes east to Bryce, our respite over, but our time here will get us through until next time we can get back to the natural world that heals my soul.