Tag: Trip Itinerary

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Unforgettable Key West Day Trip

We had an amazing Key West day trip. We had such a great time, that I am sharing my exact itinerary with you along with some travel tips. This itinerary had something to accommodate everyone in our multigenerational travel party. We departed Miami at 6am and returned to our hotel around 9pm.

Morning

Breakfast at Café Moka

Café Moka, 91731 Overseas Hwy, Tavernier, FL 33070

We drove about an hour and a half to Café Moka. They won Best Cup of Coffee of Upper Keys two years in a row.

We enjoyed caramel macchiatos and some delicious, freshly baked pastries. If you love almonds, you have to try the almond croissants! They had an incredible flavor and were the best I ever had.

Best Almond Croissant

We bought some sparkling lemonade for the road. I only wish I had bought more of those almond croissants!

Fueled with some quality coffee and our tummies full, we continued on our journey to the Key West Butterfly Conservatory.

Paid Parking Lot Next to Key West Butterfly Conservatory

Map showing parking lot next to The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory in Key West, Florida, USA.

There is a paid parking lot adjacent to the butterfly conservatory. You can pay with ParkByApp app, online or at the meter in the parking lot. If you purchased a ticket at the meter, remember to display it on your dashboard. We purchased 4 hours, which was the perfect amount of time for us.

Tips:

  • Remember to set an alarm on your phone with enough time to renew parking or exit the lot. If you paid for your parking online or through the app, then you can easily renew on the go.
  • Take a photo of your physical ticket or retain digital confirmation of your ticket so that you can easily dispute any potential tickets issued in error.

The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory

The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory, 1316 Duval St, Key West, FL 33040.

Suggested Time: ~1 hour

The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory Educational Center

The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory was the highlight of our trip! I have been to a handful of butterfly conservatories and this is the best one yet! It was modest in size, but it made up for it in beauty. As we walked in the conservatory, I felt like I had stepped into a whole new, magical world. We were immediately greeted with numerous colorful butterflies.

Beautiful butterflies were swirling around us, and we were surrounded by lush greenery and unique tropical flowers. As we walked through the conservatory, we heard the peaceful sounds of the waterfall and chirping birds. There were seats positioned around the circuit that allowed people ample time to enjoy the scenery. We loved seeing the flamingos, other small birds and koi fish.

Although we are not allowed to touch the butterflies, you might be lucky enough to have one land on you! A couple of us were lucky enough to have some land on us.

Tickets

The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory offer discounts for seniors and military. All members of party have to be present and ready to enter the conservatory when you purchase your tickets in the store. The conservatory will be warm and a bit humid. We were comfortable but cold waters are available for purchase prior to entering the conservatory.

Tip: The store offers discounts on regular adult tickets if you purchase them online.

Gift Shop

The gift shop is stocked with an eclectic assortment of unique jewelry, art, clothing, toys and more. They also offer military discount on purchases.


Ethically Sourced Real Butterfly Wing Jewelry by ChrysalisStudios


Ethically Sourced Real Blue Morpho Butterfly Wing Earrings by ChrysalisStudios

Bathrooms

Two bathrooms are located in the gift shop. We made sure to use them before we left.

Quick Photo-Op at Southernmost Point of the Continental USA

Southernmost Point of the Continental USA Landmark, 1400 Whitehead St, Key West, FL 33040

Estimated Time: ~5 to 30 minutes

Taking a photo at this iconic landmark is a must-do. There was an incredibly long line to take a photo that got even longer in the afternoon.

Time Saver: If you have some decent selfie skills or have a selfie stick, you can step onto the raised ledge in front of the landmark and take photos of yourself with the landmark in the background. There should be a short window of opportunity to take a clear photo in between people in line taking their own photos. Take several photos and delete the ones you do not like later.

Photography Tip: If you have a large group, stand on either side of the landmark diagonally instead of directly in front of it so you can capture the entire landmark in the photo.

Key West Lighthouse

As you walk towards the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, the historic Key West Lighthouse will be on your left. You can get a decent photo of the top of the lighthouse from the top floor of the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum.

Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum

Ernest Hemingway’s Writing Studio

Suggested Time: ~1 to 1.5 hours

We explored the former residence of Ernest Hemingway. The historic home was beautifully preserved and allowed us a glimpse into his fascinating life.

Hemingway loved cats. The famous six-toed cats, descendants of Hemingway’s own pets, were roaming the grounds.

I loved his writing studio the best. When he was living there, there was a catwalk that connected his house to his studio.

Tips:

  • They provide discounts to seniors and active duty military so remember to bring your ID.
  • They offer guided tours but if you do not want to wait for the next tour, you can scan a QR code by the front door and take a self-tour.

Lunch

Lunch at Kaya Island Eats

Kaya Island Eats, 628 Rear Duval St, Key West, FL 33040

Estimated Time: ~45 minutes

We had a relaxing lunch at Kaya Island Eats. The staff was friendly and the service was excellent. They had a good assortment of Caribbean food. We tried the Caribbean Shrimp Skewers, Killer Fish Tacos with fried mahi mahi, Blackened Shrimp Tacos, and Carne Asada Steak Tacos. The food was good and the portions were generous. They also offered samples of their house Mai Tai, which were so delicious I had to get one.

Afternoon

Park at Mallory Parking

Mallory Parking Lot, 460 Wall St, Key West, FL 33040

Shopping at Mallory Square

Mallory Square is known for its nightly sunset celebrations. Although we did not stay long enough to view the sunset, we enjoyed shopping there.

Sweets at Mattheessen’s Homemade

Mattheessen’s Homemade, 106 Duval St, Key West, FL 33040

Stop by Mattheessen’s Homemade for some sweets. We had homemade ice cream and chocolate covered key lime pie on a stick. The creamy key lime ice cream was divine. However, if I only had to choose one, I would get the key lime pie on a stick dipped in dark chocolate.

Parasailing

Photo Credit: Key West Parasailing Adventure above Emerald Blue Waters

Estimated Time: ~1 hour but actual time in the air is about 10 minutes

Minimum Age: 6 years old

What to Bring: a valid, Gov’t-issued ID, a bathing suit, a towel, water, and Reef-safe sunscreen.

Purchase your tickets online.

Tip: I would recommend purchasing tickets in advance to secure your desired time slot. There were limited spots the day-of.

My daughter’s favorite part of the trip was parasailing. It was her first time and she already wants to go again. She enjoyed being high up in the air with a bird’s eye view of the crystal clear waters of the ocean. She spotted some sting rays and someone else said they saw sea turtles.

Journey Back Home

We left Key West around 5:30pm. On the way home, there was a stretch of the highway that was flanked with mangroves that we call Iguana Road. We saw so many iguanas on that stretch of road. Green and brown iguanas were laying in the grass and perched on rocks.

We also saw signs for Key Deer, which is an endangered subspecies of white-tailed deer that live in the lower Florida keys. We did not see any, but it would have been amazing experience because they are not found anywhere else in the world. If you are interested in seeing Key Deer, you may have some luck at one of the National Key Deer Refuge Trails.

Private Tour of Florida Keys from Marathon to Key West

Shark and Wildlife Viewing Adventure in Key West

Full-Day Tour of Florida Keys Including Aquarium Encounters from Key West

Key West Mangrove Kayak Eco Tour

Key West Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour

Southernmost Food & Cultural Walking Tour by Key West Food Tours

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Roswell Uncovered: Must-Do Activities for a Memorable Visit

We couldn’t go to New Mexico without visiting Roswell. Roswell is Earth’s most famous UFO crash site. The International UFO Museum is also located there. The town is full of UFO-themed restaurants and shops.

There are plenty of opportunities to take photos in front of out of this world murals and fun props. Some of the scenes were so beautiful that I decided to turn them into backgrounds for our travel scrapbook. See the before and after images below.

BEFORE
AFTER
BEFORE
AFTER

International UFO Museum and Research Center

The International UFO Museum and Research Center was the highlight of our day in Roswell. This museum has wonderful exhibits dedicated to the 1947 Roswell Incident, and it also has information on other unexplained UFO-related phenomena around the world.

Display made for TV Show Making Monsters on Travel Channel

We spent about two hours at the museum before shopping for gifts. We were delighted to learn that the museum had a pressed penny machine. My daughter had fun choosing her design and cranking the machine to get another beautiful pressed penny to add to her collection.

Pressed Penny Machine
International UFO Museum and Research Center Pressed Penny

The gift shop is stocked full of UFO-related items. Some of our favorite finds were alien-shaped coffee mugs, astronaut shaped-coffee mugs, alien stuffed animals and alien-themed socks.

Roswell UFO Spacewalk

The Roswell UFO Spacewalk was a quick, but fun stop. It took about five to ten minutes to complete this UFO-themed black light adventure. We were given space guns (i.e., toy guns that lit up and made sounds) to take out aliens as we made our way through the attraction. Although it was dark, the photos turned out surprisingly well. You can revisit the adventure multiple times as long as you keep your wrist band. They also have a good selection of alien-themed souvenirs.

Peppers Grill & Bar

We had dinner at Peppers Grill & Bar. This Southwestern menu had something to accommodate everyone in our party. The best part of our meal was the margaritas. I had the Mango Margarita, which is Peppers Frozen Margarita (Sauza Gold Tequila, triple sec, splash of lime juice and sweet and sour) blended with puree mango.

Mango Margarita

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My Travel Journal: Trip Planner and Memory Keepsake

My Travel Journal

I am proud to present My Travel Journal: Trip Planner and Memory Keepsake. This travel journal is primarily a trip planner that also serves as a memory keepsake. Planning a trip no longer has to be stressful. This book includes everything you will need to plan a successful vacation, and a place to record your experiences.

Contents

Calendar

Although this is a two week trip planner, I like providing this blank calendar so that you can cover events a week in advance and a week after the trip so that there is a seamless transition from everyday life to vacation life.

Pre-Trip Checklist

The  Pre-Trip Checklist is one of the most valuable sections in this book. By completing these suggested tasks, you can have things done in a timely manner and avoid certain disappointments. For example, a friend of mine had her heart set on attending one of the best luaus in Maui only to learn that the luau was already sold out for her trip dates. It was a hard lesson that could have ben avoided if she had followed this pre-trip checklist.

Budgeting and Spending

The Budgeting and Spending section gives you tools to budget your trip and stay on track financially.

  • The Vacation Goals page keeps you focused and inspired.
  • The Vacation Savings Tracker gives you a fun way to track your vacation savings progress.
  • Budget page helps you create a budget for your trip and to track your actual spending.
  • The Spending Log allows you to keep a detailed record of what you have spent.
  • The Shopping page keeps track of who you are shopping for and what you have bought them.

Transportation and Lodging

  • The Flight Information section has fun boarding passes where you can record your flights.
  • The Car Rental & Transfers page allows you to record your car rental information and any type of transfers (e.g., hotel transfers, activity shuttles, etc.).
  • The Lodging section allows you to record and review the places you stay at. This is very useful. My husband and I are big on comfort, and when we find a wonderful place we make note of what room we were in so that we can book that same exact room again. If we stayed at a place that was less than desirable, we also make note of that so we can avoid that place in the future.

Dining

I am a foodie and I do extensive research of the restaurants I want to try before a trip. I list what foods or drinks a restaurant is famous for and what I would like to try. Then I record my review of the restaurant. I always get asked recommendations on where to eat, and this is an easy way for me to pass on that information.

Entertainment

There are so many activities to choose from and so little time so I like to do the research in advance and make the most of my vacation. This section allows me to also review each activity, write down who participated that day and make additional notes. For example, if an activity requires closed-toed shoes to participate, I make note of that. If I had an outstanding tour guide, I make note of their name and contact information so that I can use them again or refer friends to them.

Packing Checklist

The Packing Checklist is my favorite part of this book. I love this section because it has everything that I would consider bringing on a trip. It is a huge time saver and also gives me peace of mind that I am not missing anything. There is additional space to write down other items.

Itinerary

This section gives a snapshot of the activities that you will do each day.

Schedule

This Schedule section is for you Super Planners. I plan out each activity in detail and take in consideration the estimated length of the activity, how much time it will take to get from one activity to the other and so forth.

Travel Diary

Most of your thoughts on experiences, lodging and dining have already been recorded in previous sections. This space is for you write additional thoughts on each day. Each day has a temperature and weather icons, a mood tracker and a space to add a 2 x 3 inch photo. You can write down the best part of your day, the worst part of your day, the funniest thing that happened to you that day, something that you have learned, etc.

Important Contacts

Write down important contacts in this section in case your phone breaks on your trip.

Insurance

Record your health insurance, travel insurance and car insurance.

Doctors

Record your doctors contact information in case you need to get in touch with them during your trip.

Nearest Medical

Research the nearest hospitals, clinics and pharmacies. Specify whether these are in-network facilities and out-of-network facilities because in-network facilities will cost less than an out-of-network facilities.

Medication

Write down your prescription medication, dosage, frequency, etc.

Embassy and Consulate

Write down the Embassy and Consulate information in case you need passport replacements or need other emergency assistance while abroad.

Common Travel Phrases

If you are traveling to a place that speaks a different language, translate these common travel phrases in advance.

Notes

Includes additional space for extra note taking.

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Romantic Weekend Getaway at Point Reyes National Seashore

Romantic Weekend Getaway at Point Reyes National Seashore overview of ocean from coastal ridge

Point Reyes National Seashore is the perfect place to spend a romantic weekend. It is a gorgeous place filled with natural beauty. We love disconnecting from the busy city life, and enjoying the peace and quiet here. Below is our itinerary for a perfect romantic weekend getaway at Point Reyes National Seashore.

Where to Stay

Credit: Tomales Bay Resort

Tomales Bay Resort is less than 15 minutes away from the Point Reyes National Seashore visitor center. Choose a Bayview room, which is located right above the water. No children are allowed in these rooms and this section of the property remains pretty quiet. These rooms feature a pillow-top King bed, leather sofa, desk, wet bar with refrigerator and microwave, fireplace, and granite bathroom with shower. The beds are very comfortable!

Day 1

Point Reyes Station

Stop by Point Reyes Station on your way to Tomales Bay Resort, and explore this cute town. You will find great places to eat and shop here. We always stop by Cowgirl Creamery Barn Shop & Cantina, and pick up some delicious, organic cheeses, smoked meats and a bottle of Stubbs Pinot Noir for a simple picnic at the beach. They also have a kitchen where you can order food.

If you are taking a kayaking tour the next morning, you will want to buy additional food and drinks for tomorrow’s breakfast and lunch.

Romantic Picnic at the Beach

Point Reyes National Seashore has beautiful, clean beaches to have a picnic. These are our top two favorite beaches to have a romantic picnic:

South Beach

South Beach is very easy to get to. The beach parking lot is located right next to the beach, and bathrooms are also in the parking lot. This beach has never been packed when we visited and there is plenty of space to spread out so we could still have an intimate picnic.

McClures Beach

McClures Beach is a beautiful secluded beach. During low tide, you can explore the tidepools and a hidden beach south of the beach (left side). You do have to hike a little over a mile to get to this beach, but it is an easy hike. We often had the beach to ourselves or saw only a couple of people there. [For more information about this hike, read this separate post…]

Driving Tour & Couple Photos

Take a leisurely drive around Point Reyes, and see the historic ranches, wildlife and enjoy the beautiful scenic views. Bring your selfie stick and take couple photos. I love this selfie stick because it has a tripod that is compatible with cell phones, iPads or Tablets. It also comes with a camera remote for remote shooting. The bottom of the tripod is not weighted and Point Reyes tends to be windy so you will want to wrap a jacket around the base to prevent the wind from knocking over the tripod.



Selfie Stick Tripod, SAVEYOUR 51″ Extendable Tripod Stand with Universal Phone/Pad Clip, Remote Shooting Compatible with iPhone & Android Devices, Phone Tripod for Video Shooting, Vlog, Selfie



Dinner

Cafe Reyes, 11101 CA-1, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956. Try Cafe Reyes wood-fired pizzas of fresh oysters for dinner. Pair it with some wine or craft beers.

Couple Time by the Fire

Glass of wine, crackers, grapes, organic Mount Tam cheese and a hard cheese from Cowgirl Creamery on a paper plate on the bed with fire in the background

Light a fire, put away your electronics and just enjoy being with each other. If you are staying in a Bayview room, make sure you enjoy the view of the water from your balcony. On a moonlit night, you may even see silvery fish jumping out of the water.

Night Life

If you want to grab a drink and play some pool, visit Old Western Saloon, 11201 CA-1, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956. This dive bar has live music on the weekends.



Day 2

Breakfast

If you are taking a kayaking tour this morning, fix yourself a simple breakfast in the room and make sure you pack snacks for the tour.

If you are not taking the kayaking tour, head over to Station House Cafe, 11180 CA-1, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956, for a hearty organic breakfast. Their food is locally sourced (Farm-to-table), and has been around since 1964!

Kayaking Tour

Yellow kayak with yellow paddle on calm water

For the adventurous couple, take a kayaking tour of Point Reyes or Tomales Bay! We enjoyed our tour with Blue Waters Kayaking. They offer half day or full day tours, but we took the half day tour. They even offer a bioluminescence kayaking tour! We have not been on this tour yet, but on dark, moonless nights you can see dinoflagellates (tiny creatures that glow when they are disturbed) light up the water as you paddle through them. Although we have not experienced the bioluminescence tour at Tomales Bay yet, I did get to swim in bioluminescent water in Thailand and it was an amazing experience!

You will have an opportunity to see wildlife on your kayaking tour. We saw all different types of birds, river otters and sea lions, but you may also see Tule elk, bat-rays and leopard sharks. There is a cash-only parking fee at the boat launch, but make sure you check their website for updated information.

Point Reyes Lighthouse

Hike down to Point Reyes Lighthouse and possibly see some whales! Make sure you bring your binoculars.

The best time to see them is January through March. The hike itself is beautiful. You will have sweeping coastal views and see some interesting shaped leaning trees. There is also a Lighthouse Visitor Center.

Watch the Elephant Seals

The Elephant Seal Overlook is very close to Point Reyes Lighthouse. It is a short, easy walk from the parking lot. Make sure you bring your binoculars.

Other Hikes

Point Reyes has several trails that have unique features. You can hike to Alameres Falls and observe a rare coastal waterfall. You can watch birds at Abbotts Lagoon or observe Tule Elk and breath-taking ocean views at Tomales Point.

winebasket.com | Taste of Tuscany Italian Wine Gift Basket
winebasket.com | Taste of Tuscany Italian Wine Gift Basket
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Day Seven: Hiking Zion National Park Narrows

A Day Hiking The Narrows Zion National Park

Plan on Arriving to Zion National Park Early

We ended our National Parks Trip with an exciting hike through the Zion Narrows! We arrived at Zion National Park at 6:30 am and were able to park at the visitor center for FREE! This was the first day we arrived early enough to receive free parking at the Zion National Park Visitor Center so we were excited. We hopped on our private shuttle to head over to the Narrows.

We did not have to show our pass because the park rangers were not at the toll booth. We were thankful we arrived so early because we learned that Zion National Park had closed down the toll booths from about 8am to 1pm. They denied access during that period because they wanted to reduce the number of people at the park on that busy holiday weekend. So make sure you get to the park early enough to avoid being turned away, especially on holiday weekends.

We passed by Angel’s Landing on our way to the Narrows and saw that there was a line forming for the people who wanted to hike Angel’s Landing. The park rangers were limiting the number of people to reduce crowding on the chains section.

There was no such line at the Temple of Sinawava (i.e., the Riverside Walk and The Narrows trailhead).

Tip: Get there early! Guarantee your admission, park for free and avoid the heat.


Use the Riverside Walk Restrooms Before Hiking

There are no bathrooms on the Narrows hike so use the Riverside Walk Restrooms before you hike. The Riverside Walk Restrooms are located next to the Temple of Sinawava shuttle stop (Shuttle Stop #9 on Zion Canyon Line).

If you have to relieve yourself, your only options are to urinate in the water or on dry land. Neither of these options are ideal. This is a very popular hike and there are loads of people around so you will not get much privacy. Urinating on dry land also leaves an unpleasant odor.

If you have to go #2, you will need to defecate in a bag, carry it with you and throw it in the trash bin upon your return. You can bring some toilet paper and some environmentally friendly human waste disposal bags like the one below for emergencies.


Trail Essentials Toilet Bags, Certified Biodegradable and Compostable, 25 Count;
Includes Convenient Water Resistant Carry Case



Tip: Use the bathrooms before you hike, and avoid eating or drinking anything that can cause you to have an upset stomach or give you the urge to urinate frequently.

Check the Weather at the Narrows Before You Hike

Hiking the Narrows, Zion National Park, USA

Check the weather in Zion National Park before you hike. If there is any chance of rain, please do not hike the Narrows. A couple of inches of rain can bring about dangerous flash floods. Flash floods occur when the ground is not able to absorb the water fast enough, creating a dangerous, destructive wall of rushing water and debris.

To escape a flash flood, you need to get to high ground. This is difficult to do in the Narrows because the canyon walls are very steep.

If you do notice the water rising quickly and turning muddy, try and get to high ground anyways because this may be a sign of a flash flood coming your way. Sometimes people get caught off guard because it may not be raining where they are.1

Tip: I recommend planning on hiking the Narrows earlier in your trip. That way if there is a forecast for rain, you have time to try and hike another day. You will also want to avoid visiting the Narrows during Zion’s monsoon season which is from mid-July to September because that increases the likelihood of flash floods. 2 The park also closes the Narrows when the Virgin River’s flow rate is over 150 cubic feet per second or during spring snowmelt so check the NPS notices on current Zion National Park condition.

Mystery Falls, Zion National Park, Utah, USA

Dress in Layers and Bring the Right Hiking Gear

We visited the Narrows at the end of May. Expect it to be cold in the morning because the sun is low and the tall canyon walls block direct sunlight. Thankfully, we were wearing layers, had our neoprene socks and waterproof hiking boots.

If you have children, you should bring a warm jacket, an extra set of clothing (in case they get wet) and even a pair of waterproof gloves to keep their hands dry and warm. We also saw some children wearing fishing bibs which would give them additional protection.

The most difficult part of the Narrows was navigating the areas of the river that had strong currents. You really need at least one hiking stick! We each had our own portable walking stick. We used the hiking stick as a third leg. We planted our pole into the river bed to secure our position before moving our legs to the next position. This will give your upper body a good workout.


Portable Hiking Sticks



Here is a list of other essential items for hiking the Narrows from late spring through summer.

If you decide to hike the Narrows in the fall through mid/late-spring, you will need to wear wetsuits or drysuits. The water will be colder and higher because of the snowmelt. If you do not want to purchase your own suit, you can rent them at Zion Outfitter along with other useful gear.

How long does it take to hike the Narrows?

The wonderful thing about the Narrows hike is that you can hike as long as you want, and then turn right back around. Most people hike up to Wall Street and then turn around. The length of time you spend will depend on your health, level of personal fitness, the water levels and the weather.

We hiked on a chilly morning, but the water levels were low in most areas. My preteen daughter, my mother, husband and I hiked about 7 hours, which included time to stop and take pictures, eat snacks, and explore the side canyon.

Tip: If you hike early in the morning, the Narrows will be less crowded and you will have a better chance getting photos without a slew of people in them. For this reason, I would recommend taking photos while you walk upstream instead of waiting to take them on the way back.

Orderville Canyon

Orderville Canyon, Zion National Park, USA

We hiked into Orderville Canyon because we wanted to see Veiled Falls. We scrambled over the first set of boulders without issue, but we stopped at the second set of boulders. Another set of hikers were returning from that direction, and said there was an even larger set of rocks blocking the path ahead that they were unable to climb over.

2nd set of boulders blocking the trail at Orderville Canyon

We decided to turn around at that point. The boulders were wet and slippery, and we were concerned about climbing back down safely. We did not want to land incorrectly and sprain an ankle or worse slip and hit our head.

Safety First

Keep in mind, if you do get injured in the Narrows, it may take hours before help arrives. Recently, a woman who was canyoneering at the Narrows (i.e., Mystery Canyon) fell 50 to 80 feet.3 The narrow canyon walls prevented a rescue helicopter from reaching her. Sadly, she passed away from her injuries before park medics were able to reach her.

Tip: Pack a travel first aid kit for minor scrapes and injuries. Consider also packing an ankle brace and a knee brace. These items are light and will not take up a lot of space in your hiking bag.

First Aid Kit




We could not have asked for a better day. No one was injured, and the Narrows surpassed our expectations. This place is more beautiful than any of the photos I have seen!

Sources

  1. “Severe Weather 101 – Floods,” The National Severe Storms Laboratory, accessed July 7, 2021, https://www.nssl.noaa.gov/education/svrwx101/floods/detection/
  2. “Current Conditions,” National Park Service, accessed July 7, 2021, https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/conditions.htm.
  3. “Body of Canyoneer Identified at Zion National Park,” National Park Service, accessed July 7, 2021, https://www.nps.gov/zion/learn/news/body-of-canyoneer-identified-at-zion-national-park.htm

Trip Itinerary

Day 1: Las Vegas

Day 2: Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, Joshua Tree Forest, Grand Canyon West

Day 3: Kayaking to Emerald Cave and Raiders Stadium Tour

Day 4: Bryce Canyon

Day 5: Zion Emerald Pools

Day 6: Zion Horseback Riding

Day 7: Hiking Zion National Park Narrows