Zion National Park: Part 1

So, I finally got all the pictures uploaded and ready to go! And while I was perusing through them, I realized this was going to have to be a to be continued kind of post. And really, what kind of blogger would I be if my vacation only took up one post? I submit that I would hardly be a blogger at all.

Anyway, here is the part of my life where I go to Zion National Park. Most people in Utah just call it Zions. Zion's? I guess if the park belonged to Zion... where was I? Ok. But apparently that makes some people mad? Because it's not correct? So, whatever. I was excited to go to Zion (s). I really appreciate a good view. I heard there were also hikes to do there, and I was less interested in those. My whole life I've been very apathetic toward hiking. There is a part of me that really enjoys it, and a part of me who thinks it's hard. The latter part is usually present for the majority of any hike I take, and the former appears magically when I make it to the end of the hike!

Poor Alex has to put up with a grumpy Madeline every time we start a hike, but he appears to not let it bother him, since he keeps taking me on hikes!

I know, this has nothing to do with Zion (s).

The first night we got there, we just had time to go to dinner and check into our little motel. We stayed in this old mom and pop hotel and it was suuuuuuper interesting, with like, the fridge above the bathroom sink and the microwave on top of the tv and stuff, but it had two beds. So, it worked.

The next morning Alex MADE me wake up at like 6 in the morning or something, so right off the bat I was quite the grumpy gills. Here is some evidence:

ignoring alex to the best of my ability.

Alex wanted me to eat a protein bar for breakfast so I would have energy. This made me angry. So I asked for a muffin. He came back with a muffin the size of a quarter. I ate that and the protein bar and had plenty of energy. Thanks, Alex.

sooooo annoyed right now smile.

We rode the bus to the Emerald Pools trail head. I was very quiet on that hike. I like to think it was because I was soaking in the general splendor and not because I was a negative Nancy. At one point I was staring intently at a sign with a frog on it, when I suddenly realized that there was an ACTUAL FROG ON THE SIGN!

 Awesome, I know.

The Emerald Pools were beautiful, and I got a little happier when it ended. And then Alex said "We should hike Angel's Landing..." And I got a little nervous.

Because here's the thing. My dad saw someone die on Angel's Landing... so I had some secondhand trauma. But I said I would go, because I have a can-do attitude!

It was my favorite hike of the whole trip!!

The hike was all fun and games until we got to this next part: WALTERS WIGGLES

 At this part I was a little like, "really Alex? Really????" But it was kind of fun, in a weird way.

I look very worried in these pictures. I am an overly cautious person. But I promise I was having fun! I really was! I wasn't mad anymore!

We made it to the top! And then we made friends with a squirrel!

The way down was a lot harder than the way up, I thought. I thought my knees might give out! I was ready to call it a day, but then Alex thought we should also go to the Weeping Rock. So I basically crawled up the hill to that. It was cool.

I was thrilled to be there, and I was equally as thrilled to get back to my motel bed. I will leave you with this picture of me looking almost creepily happy to be back. Tune in for part 2 sometime in the future!!