After leaving the beautiful Grand Canyon NP we rolled The Wanderlust up and over the mountains to Zion National Park. We stayed at the Zion Ponderosa Ranch. The RV sites were a tad tight, but the ranch amenities were fabulous. We actually didn't take advantage of many of them...mainly just the pool, hot tub, complimentary pool towels and the laundry room (which needed about five more machines to match the size of the ranch vs guest ratio). 
Now that's a campground pool!
We spent most of our time inside the national park that was just down the road from the ranch. As soon as you pass the entrance kiosk Zion grabs the heart! The rock formations are magestic cathedrals, stealing all the oooo's and aaaahhh's that project from mouth. The mountain's peaks are the land's earthly steeples. Sometimes we even had to remind ourselves to breathe because the beauty surround had us holding breath.
One hike inpaticular really gave me cause to hold my breath: Angel's Landing. I knew heights were involved so I didn't allow myself much advance in depth research. I was going to just go in with my FDR quote that I keep tucked in my heart and mind, as I always do in the spirit of conquering my fear of heights--"the only thing we have to fear is fear itself." The Walter's Wiggles portion was strenuous elevation gaining switch backs--like most mountain trails. We all stopped from time to time to gaze out at the views AND catch our breath. Next was Scout's Landing. A nice large flat mountain top ridge to really take in the view and hydrate. Then onto Angels Landing. 
The girls went first with the gumption of youthful spirit. King Ralph position himself behind me as we took to the chains. The chains. Eek. There we were grabbing tightly to chains hammered into the side of the mountain. I made it two chain sections in--about 20 ft, when my senses told me, NO! And I turned around. It wasn't going to matter how many times I chanted the FDR quote to myself, it wasn't going to happen! M and D made it all the way! D said it was M who kept her going because turning around was constantly flashing in her mind. She said she wasn't leaving her sister alone up there. 
It was when we returned home to STL that I finally watched YouTube videos posted of the trail. Yep. Turning around was smart for me! I can't even watch the videos a second time. They creep the ^*+= out of me!!! To think my girls made the summit.
We also hiked The Narrows. The beauty of the slot canyons and hiking in the river is breathtaking! 
But nothing, nothing, compared to the strength of courage given to Angels Landing. Even when you don't make the summit.
Before leaving Zion M treated us to a day of ATVing in the dessert of Utah's Sand Hollow State Park. 
It was such an awesome experience it made it easy to forget the temperature reached 107*. After, we sipped local craft beers on a patio with a beautiful view of Zion's mountain scape 
Then it was time to wander again....
