To ZION With Friends
(the road trip according to Gina O.)
The starting point of our road trip was south-east Idaho,
And we were headed southward, yes! To ZION we must go!
Two separate cars of friends made up this mini caravan…
We started out with six of us: three womans and three mans.
‘twas Wednesday evening when we left, the 20th of June;
Cameron brought his music with, and we played “Name That Tune.”
The black car left town before the pewter, in case you wanted to know…
But they stopped so we could catch up around Pocatello.
The skyline darkened progressively as we drove that night;
Somehow pewter got ahead; black car was out of sight.
A few phone calls from Tracie-face throughout the drive was great!
We picked her up in Nephi, true—and it was getting late.
‘twas midnight when we left that place to head to Cedar City;
On the way we stopped to help cars that needed jumped—what a pity!
‘Cause neither car in our caravan had the necessary cables;
That’s no good, you realize—what if we’d turned the tables?!
We got to Cedar in the wee small hours of the next day;
We slept hard in the home of LaCee—so comfortably we lay!
Getting up at 6:00 that morning was a chore;
‘Cause we did not get enough sleep; I know I wanted more!
The drive to ZION for the black car was easy, just ask them if you please…
But pewter was quite hungry and we missed our turn—oh GEEZ!
Tracie looked at the atlas and corrected our mistake;
We doubled back and found our way to the black car—so great!
We hopped aboard a free shuttle to take us to the spot
Where we’d begin our journey to the Narrows—in the water we did walk.
Jason, Cameron, Gina, Lisa, Jeff, Tracie and Brooke;
Seven friends in ZION to walk around and have a look.
The water started out feeling cold, but we adjusted quick,
And all of us but one were glad we brought a walking stick;
Because the rocks sometimes got slick and we did not want to fall—
So much for that idea! I fell near a rock wall!
Wandering ‘round in water, looking up at massive rocks;
The water kept us cool—but in the sun ‘twas hot!
We stopped for lunch and found a spot where the water got real deep;
I climbed in and got caught in the current—and my heart skipped a beat.
We kept on going and we thought we’d turn around at 1:30…
But then we found a rock to jump off—and nobody got hurty.
The cannon balls into the water was a highlight of our hike;
It cooled us off and was good fun—‘twas something we all liked.
The hike back was much faster, I simply won’t deny…
But I was sleepy—on the shuttle back I had to close my eyes.
We drove to Washington, Utah—right next to George the Saint
To meet our good buddy Janell; so excited I thought I’d faint!
We ate some pizza and cleaned up (because we were smelly and gross).
Melissa also met up with us, because we love her most!
That night we went to Tuacahn, a theater outdoors;
Though “My Fair Lady” started late, we all sweat from our pores.
We all felt hot there in our seats, many of us fighting sleep;
“Let a Woman in Your Life” was sung and perked the boys up a heap!
The play ended at midnight; we had a good time though.
We drove us back to Washington to sleep in the condo.
Up at dawn again because we were headed back to ZION!
This time Janell joined us, hooray! It’s true, I am not lyin’!
Once again we hopped the shuttle—this time to the Grotto;
We started right at 8am—already it was hot-o!
Angel’s Landing was the hike we’d chosen for that day;
It was made of steep switch-backs, and Cameron led the way.
The rest of us felt justified in “picture breaks” to breathe;
After a while, Jason ran up; just watching nearly made me heave!
At the end of Walter’s Wiggle I was nothing shy of glad;
A sign said I’d be there in half a mile, and I was thinking, “RAD!”
But then I looked directly up at the path ahead of me;
It got narrow with sheer drop-offs; heights make me nervous, see…
In honesty, the going up really wasn’t bad;
They have chains to hold onto—but if you fall—so sad!
The view atop of Angel’s Landing is insanely pretty;
The rush of being so high up can make one feel quite giddy.
We sat on top of that big rock to enjoy the fruits of our labor;
But after a time we had to leave—coming back was no small favor.
Coming down the narrow path—it forced me to look down;
So I slowly made my way behind the friendly crowd.
The going—slow—but still I marveled at the beauty of that place.
I’m not about to lie to you; the land has a certain grace.
We made our way down Walter’s Wiggle once again, you know…
For what goes up must come down; the truth of it is so.
This time we ran it if we could—‘tis gentler on the knees;
Once again on the shuttle, some of us caught zzz’s.
Up and down the rock we’d gone—all before 12 noon.
Saying ‘bye to our Janell, it made us weep and swoon.
We bid farewell to her and also ZION’S Park.
We’d taken pictures with our cameras, and also with our hearts.
After this short, gorgeous hike, we found ourselves north-bound.
We played some more of “Name That Tune.” In Fayette our branch we found.
To Tracie’s parents’ place we went to shower and clean up;
A barbeque was rather nice; PB made sure we ate enough.
Then off to Manti we did drive—saving spots was our quest;
We put our blankets on some chairs. (We now believe the ground was best.)
We quickly left the Temple grounds to find for us some shade;
We found what we were looking for—we only moved when the sun began to fade.
Back to our chairs and blankets we went, and sleep was on our minds!
We built a fortress with all our stuff; it was one of a kind.
So those of us who could keep our eyes open no more
Got comfy and took a nap right there on the Temple grounds floor.
When the sun was down, it was time for the pageant to start;
Sitting there in the dark proved difficult to keep my eyelids apart.
When the show was over, Jason drove the pewter car
Back to Fayette, which took a while, although it was not far.
All of us got ready quickly for bed in the church there;
Five girls squished in one tiny room, but ask us if we cared…
The next morning we were allowed to sleep in until seven;
Getting more than four hours of sleep was comparable to HEAVEN!
Salt Lake City was the place—we had an appointment at half past ten.
Welfare Square’s a cool place—this is where we had a tour.
We started out watching a flim, but my eyes could take no more.
The second that the lights went out, I fell asleep with ease;
They woke me up, showed us around, and let us taste their cheese.
This is where we said goodbye to the people in our branch—
Jason told us of a burger joint to eat—we took a chance.
Hire’s Big H was the place; they had tasty burgers on buns.
When I was in the restroom, with my camera they had fun;
Pictures of their nostrils! Plus one of Jason’s pit!
My friends are all hilarious—but are they lacking wit? :)
After lunch we headed back to I-15, you know…
I slept hard in the backseat till we reached Idaho.
Quick as a flash our trip was done—it was a lovely time!
Road trips with friends are wonderful! –And now I end my rhyme.
O. So. Tempting.
O. So. Tempting.
