Zion - Day two

So...day two of our adventure did not start out so well.
At first it was snowing, then it degenerated into solid rain.

I was of the opinion that we should pack up and head home early
or at least wait a couple hours until it cleared up.
But we headed out...
By the time we got to the parking lot of the emerald pool trails,
it was no longer raining.

But it WAS snowing big ole heavy, wet flakes.

We started out in a white wonderland.

Chuck took along the video camera
and took some great footage of the sights
before he ran out of disk space.
You really do get a different perspective than with still shots.
When we arrived at the first pools it was snowing
with LOTS of low grey mist/clouds.


But the light was actually quite nice for photos
and the colorful rocks provided great contrast.

Just past the first pools and waterfalls we got this cool warning.

Nice "icy" sign. Visions of things to come???
(I may have a thing about signs
Celiac got me going on that I think :0)

We continued on to the middle pools

and the snow started to let up a "bit".

There is something about snow and water isn't there?

As we went on, I realized that it was getting lighter...

the sun started to break through the clouds...

and a few moments later...we got this!
Talk about your natural high!

Just about then a nice lady named Liz from Minnesota came by
and offered to take our picture.

The light was really great,
and at one point it was like a spotlight
on the upper falls by the emerald pools.

Liz obliged us with another photo.

It was nothing short of a magical winter experience.

I don't think I'll ever forget the wonder of the falling water

the light on the snow laden trees
and the colorful rock formations in stark contrast.

Absolutely breathtaking.

It warmed up fast and wasn't long
until you wouldn't have even known it had snowed,
except for the big ole random plops of water
that would hit you unexpectedly.

After the Emerald pools we went to the Weeping Wall,

and then on to the Watchman Trail.

There was a LOT of goopy,red mud,

and we almost went back.
But trekked on to see some great views.Chuck gave me a bad time about taking photos of cactus.

But look how pretty it is with the red dried flowery bush!
And even by afternoon the snow was still setting off
the details of the mountains in the distance.

I took a fair amount of shots from the car as we drove along the highway.

Whether it was a drive by shooting
or a hiked to photo op - the trip was fantastic.

Thanks Chuck for planning an unforgettable adventure.