“As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives.” – Henry David Thoreau
The start of the trail from the Grotto shuttle bus stop. Come hike me the trail called to me. — Photo by Pat Bean
Walk the Kayenta/Emerald Pools Trail With Me
Rocks form a mysterious tunnel shortly before the trail descends to the Emerald Pools. — Photo by Pat Bean
A two-mile trail between the Grotto and Zion Lodge, the Kayenta/Emerald Pools Trail in Zion National Park is ideal for wandering/wondering old broads like me. It has only a mild, 150-foot-elevation gain but there is something to see around every bend in the road.
The May day I walked it, I had a playful squirrel, hoping for a handout which it didn’t get, follow me for a while, saw a magnificent blue-bellied lizard, and had excellent views of the Virgin River Valley 150 feet below me.
Of course there were flowers: Indian paintbrush, columbine, shooting stars, wall flowers and daisies, just to name a few.
These were expected. What wasn’t was the short tunnel formed by rocks that one had to pass through and the opportunity to walk behind a waterfall.
The waterfall was only a trickle this day, but it was still cool to walk behind it. — Photo by Pat Bean
I wish you had been with me.
Bean’s Pat: Darla Writes http://tinyurl.com/7bl7zo6 The best writing advice ever. I promise. Tell me if you agree. This wandering/wondering old broad’s blog pick of the day.
Pat Bean's blog 
There is something special and secret about walking between to walls of stone. The quote by Thoreau is so appropriate. Standing behind a waterfall – wonderful.
Glad you enjoyed Mountain Mae.
Any chance you have some RV camping ideas for me in Minnesota? I love your blog and have an idea of going north of St. Paul, up to Duluth and on up that northernly coast of the Lake Superior.
The only time I was in Minnesota was one winter when my daughter lived in St. Paul. I’ve done no camping in that state at all. I may have to rectify that. Good luck in finding places, and let me know how it turns out. And thanks for following my blog.
You will love the North Shore. Miles of winding lakeshore drive where there are numerous short hikes to waterfalls through the north woods .. most are well marked and easy to get to. Bike trails, campgrounds, hotels and cabins on the lake shore of beautiful Lake Superior … it is my favorite place in the world to visit in the summer time. (may need bug spray ;-))
Thanks for the tip. The need for bug spray usually means there are lots of birds, and since I’m an avid birder I’ve learned to tolerate the bugs, if not enjoy them.
Wandering and wondering. I want to do some of that this summer.
Thanks for the blog pick of the day. I’ve printed the poster to hang on my wall.
Hope you get to wander and wonder a lot. It’s a great life, even if only for an hour or two. And you’re welcome for the pat.
Love it when the walk is easy, full of surprises and the reward at the end is great.
Always on the lookout for these since I’ve gotten too old to do the top of the mountain hikes. Thanks for commenting.