#Gates50States

Tacked on to a continuing education event in Las Vegas was our trip to Zion National Park and a stay in Springdale, Utah.

Before embarking on our journey to Zion however, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see the Hoover Dam. Straight from the airport, we picked up our rental car and drove about 45 minutes to Boulder City, NV, to the Boulder Dam Hotel. What a great find! An historic hotel with a small museum dedicated to the building of the Dam in the lower level. We planned out our trip pretty tight, so we didn’t get to explore the museum, but I would encourage anyone interested in history to stay here and check it out.

Our room was small and pretty basic with original furniture. The price was very reasonable and breakfast was fantastic! As with so many places we’ve found over the years, what made the Boulder Dam Hotel a great find was the convenient location, fair price, yummy breakfast and friendly informative staff. Please don’t leave town without stopping at the The Dillinger for dinner, either.  Located only about a block or two from the hotel, we discovered this gem. Hands down, best burgers and sweet potato fries we’ve ever eaten!

The sweet potato fries had a sweetness to them I’ve  been trying to duplicate at home with no success so far. Ryan had the signature burger, The Dillinger, while I sampled the Babyface with Brie and fig jam. So juicy and messy – just as a good burger should be.  Vegas can keep their hoity toity overpriced food, I’d go back here first any day.

We strolled around the town bright and early the following morning. Boulder City is a pretty quiet place. I can imagine it was pretty happening while the Dam was being built, but like so many small towns, it’s getting a bit rough around the edges. Overall, a great overnight stop on our way to the dam and beyond, but not a place I would stay for very long (although sampling every burger from the Dillinger may be worth it.)

We arrived at the Hoover Dam after a lovely drive past Lake Powell. Even in mid-February, I would still recommend getting there before everything officially opens. Parking is pretty limited, so prioritize getting a spot over sleeping in. We took in the immensity of the Dam and took our time strolling around before any of the tours started or the museum opened. What an amazing example of American ingenuity. Almost unheard of today, the dam was built under budget and ahead of schedule! When we had our fill of facts, it was time to head out to Springdale for the most anticipated part of our trip – Zion National Park.

Located about 3.5 hours from Las Vegas, Red Rock Inn was the ideal bed and breakfast launching point for 30 miles of hiking in 3 days.  We cannot overstate not only how good the prepared breakfasts were, but how the presentation seemed to fit the very definition of a bed and breakfast.  When we visit a B&B, we want warm and fuzzy, we want the feeling of eating from an old, family recipe, we want the muffins to be warm, the juice to be cold, and the bacon to be crisp.  That’s exactly what we got.

A neat feature of RRI that we weren’t anticipating is the little patio they’ve built just a short walk up the slope behind the cabins.  This was perfect for watching the sun rise over the mountains early in the morning.  Overall, the Red Rock Inn provided a great location from which to explore the park and a tremendous value considering the expansive space (1 bedroom, 2 full bathrooms and a sitting area, plus the private patio and hot tub) and fabulous breakfasts for a fraction of the cost of our standard room at Mandalay Bay in Vegas.  (Frankly, I was borderline depressed during my first two days in Vegas after half a week in Springdale, UT.)

There are also many good eating opportunities in Springdale.  Oscar’s Cafe made one of the better burgers RG has eaten, topped with bacon, pineapple, cheese, and a good mix of special sauces.

The Whiptail Grill, staged in an old filling station, presented some of the more unique dishes we’ve found in our travels. Eating Spaghetti Squash Enchiladas with a cold beer on the patio was the perfect end to a long day of hiking… and we didn’t even have to shower or change out of our dusty clothes.

Enough about the food, on to the hiking.  On day 1 we hiked to Observation Point.  Make sure to start early for this steeply graded, mostly-desert landscaped, switchback-friendly hike.  It’s a popular trail with gorgeous views, so make sure to beat the crowd.  You’ll also keep from getting overheated.

Day 2 led us to the Kolob area of the park and Wildcat Canyon.  This area was very different from the main, more-traveled portion of the park.  No red rock, lots of plant life.  And no other people for miles.

On day three, we followed the advice of our inn keepers and drove over to the Bureau of Land Management land for a different look.  This was more similar to our first day, but still a bit unique, with a more desert feel to the land. Although there are eagle nests built high up in the crags, we didn’t spot any. We occasionally experience excellent wildlife sightings on our trips, but it’s been somewhat of a standing joke that most animals jump behind a tree when they know we’re coming. Zion should have been crawling with big horn sheep…we didn’t even see one from a distance. Hopefully, you’ll have better luck.

For those of you a bit more adventurous (and with canyoneering skills) consider applying for a permit to explore the Left Fork Trail, otherwise known as the Subway. You can explore The Subway with Subway Permits- NPS, and it originates in the Kolob Terrace area.

When we began to look for adventures in and around the Springdale area, Jenn learned of what was then Seth Hamel Photography, and has now become Enlighten Photography Excursions.  She arranged for me to spend a late-evening with Seth visiting good locations for night photography.  I really wanted to learn how to make good star trail photos, and how to capture great star, planet and galaxy photos.  With the absence of city lights and the knowledge of a really good photographer, a plan was set to make it happen.

I am very appreciative to Seth for the time he took with me.  The thought of hanging out in the dark with a stranger taking long exposures can be a bit weird.  “What if the guy’s a dud?” you may ask yourself.  Well, Seth is as friendly as they come, and he can strike up a conversation with anyone, all while giving good photographic instruction.

Having honeymooned in Acadia (2003), and recently visited Grand Teton, Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, we’ve become quite the national park enthusiasts.  Zion remains a favorite, and there are still 4 more in Utah to explore.  Some of them will come in 2024.  Stay tuned!