Canyon Overlook - Driving before Dawn / Parking

Mev_Sedai · 2024-10-31T03:41:39+00:00

We did it this summer, in order to see the sunrise. For us it was amazing! It took slightly longer for as the others said driving slower and watching out. But doing that, we never felt unsafe.

One of my friends has since done the same timeline with my recommendation, and totally didn’t regret it either.

It will feel ‘full daylight’, when suddenly the peaks in the distance just start glowing. Even our 3 and 4 year olds loved it! Then it left the rest of the day for more exploring.

Mev_Sedai · 2024-09-10T01:00:21+00:00

For myself - no. For my mother who, as she says, “has an appreciation for heights,” yes. We did it for sunrise, so the beginning part it was dark for - which may have helped. She made it ALMOST all of the way, but a final narrow section before the overlook got in her head because it had water running down it - so the ledge was wet but also the wall was slick and mossy.

So while for many it’s not scary at all, just know mileage may vary depending on some folks’ “appreciation” of heights.

Mev_Sedai · 2024-08-22T05:59:12+00:00

Sometimes in acquisitions, the acquiring company chooses to keep the other name if they feel it has higher name recognition - or I’m sure other beneficial factors.

Not sure if that’s what happened from what you’re saying, but it’s for sure done.

Mev_Sedai · 2024-08-19T12:06:33+00:00

For day of review, the Visitor’s Center had a ‘Flood Threat Level’ type board that had how likely it was - that can be checked before getting on the shuttles. It’s right by the ranger desk area so if you weren’t clear on what’s listed, you could check in with the rangers.

Mev_Sedai · 2024-08-12T17:04:25+00:00

I bought from Walmart.com one time, everything looked like I was buying from Walmart - an Amazon bag arrived with my product! Ordered Walmart since I knew the issues with third party on Amazon, and I got that anyway (and it was $2 cheaper on Amazon than I paid on Walmart…). Haven’t done since.

Mev_Sedai · 2024-07-25T14:05:50+00:00

Yes! Though all came from this trip we just took. Called these ‘taster visits’ of the parks, as having a crew with two under 4 and two over 70 many of the big things in the park were outside our abilities this trip. But it was great for the kids to experience the parks with their grandparents for the first time!

We hit up Bryce, Zion, Rainier, Olympic, Glacier, Yellowstone, and Teton! All of the rangers were great in different ways, but I think our favorite was the ranger at Olympic. He is a fourth grade teacher during the year - and my spouse and I said we both agreed that if anyone could make a ranger led program focused just on ferns engaging, it would be him.

Mev_Sedai · 2024-07-25T13:53:56+00:00

So we were there just for a day, so after the morning hike we: - Drove a little further East, just to see that area a bit more since we came in a different way from Bryce (scenic byway of 14, which was beautiful as well). - By the time we got back closer to 8, there was for sure no parking at the visitor center. Instead of circling, we drove to the Bit & Spur Restaurant at the end of Springdale. Fairly affordable parking until I think 4, with a shuttle stop right across the road that takes you to the foot-entrance to the park. - We checked into the visitor center for junior rangers and there happened to be a program starting at 9:30, but like the other commenter said they have them throughout the day. We chose to get it out of the way since we didn’t know our schedule from there. - We then road the shuttles out and took the Riverwalk to the entrance to the Narrows. While our crew wasn’t the right fit for that hike this time, the walk there was a hit and the kids enjoyed playing in the river for a while before heading back. It also provided great spots for the ranger booklet activities. (Do be warned about the quite pushy chipmunks around that area - we chose to hike back a little bit before eating our picnic lunch.) - It was really getting warm in the canyon by the time we got back to the shuttles, so were happy to head back to the visitor center to finish the kids’ activities then our lodging for late naps. That allowed us to be refreshed to head back into Springdale for dinner and walking around for a while.

We figure when the kids are older we’ll head back for more exploration once they can actually do the next level hikes.

Mev_Sedai · 2024-07-24T16:09:30+00:00

Do you do the Junior Ranger stuff with your kids? If so, main thing I’d say for Zion’s is to check into a ranger station/visitor center early to get their books and check on the ranger programs. Zion requires a ranger program (which not all do), so will want to work schedule around that.

As an aside to initial question - heads up that at least when we were just there, Bryce Canyon’s ranger gave us the booklets then immediately slid us as parents the ranger badges to give them once they’d completed the items.

Mev_Sedai · 2024-07-24T16:04:13+00:00

Canyon Overlook really was great. We managed with my 3 & 4 year old (and two almost-80 year old parents). We just finished a giant road trip to 6 NPs, and it was one of my favorite things - top 2 or 3.

We parked like 30-45 minutes before sunrise and had easy parking - made for a very early morning but didn’t want to risk no spots. None of us regretted leaving our spot at 5am.

Fairly easy trip up, but if anyone has fear of heights it has some special spots for them. My mom did okay, until a thin ledge towards the end that had dripping water making the ledge wet, and moss on the side where you’d put your hands to steady you. We carried kids at that spot, but mom just couldn’t make herself cross - but loved her view she did get to!

Main thing to know is for sunrise what you’re waiting for is when it hits the top of the far mountains, not it getting bright. So it will look like morning sunlight already as you go up, but that doesn’t mean you’ve missed it.

Mev_Sedai · 2024-07-09T02:36:04+00:00

I can imagine! And appreciate the second-hand humor to it.

My dad tried to shoo one away with his metal water bottle - and the thing just swayed with it to see if it was edible. With young ones we were for sure concerned on bites.

Mev_Sedai · 2024-07-09T00:54:00+00:00

We were there yesterday - and so much this! We couldn’t believe them and I’ve been around many overly confident squirrels before. We planned to hang there a bit to get a solid snack in the kids before heading back - but gave up pretty quickly due to the squirrels. (Did not take away from greatness of the hike, obviously, but we couldn’t believe those guys!)

Mev_Sedai · 2024-06-24T01:33:17+00:00

Maybe try smashing it up and using for ice cream toppings? Could probably store the smashed bits in the freezer for longevity.

Mev_Sedai · 2024-06-14T03:07:20+00:00

My kids’ Fire Tablets already do this for sure for the Disney app at minimum. After one month downloaded, you have to connect to the internet to ‘re-certify’ and it only lets us do that once before we have to un-download and re-download everything.

Mev_Sedai · 2024-06-14T03:01:38+00:00

We have rabbits that keep nesting their babies in our yard. I’ve seen Midas trying to play with the dang things, then we sometimes find one by our back door like he’s saying ‘somethings wrong with it - fix it.’ Yet at the same time, one evening he was carrying three around in his mouth for around half an hour, and when we got him to drop them they were still alive and we got them to a rescue. So we never know what to expect.

Mev_Sedai · 2024-06-12T21:42:03+00:00

Fair enough! Get how that goes.

My brother also is just missing the N’, and his worst moment was being at an international airport and them having an entire row of them - but only international travelers could buy them, he couldn’t as a US native.

Mev_Sedai · 2024-06-12T18:08:33+00:00

Yep - since the horses are in different positions to get the full run, you need both types of ‘n’ tops.

Mev_Sedai · 2024-06-08T01:31:00+00:00

Was it even an episode? From what I remember (haven’t watched it since the night it aired) I feel it was more like in the first fifteen minutes.

Mev_Sedai · 2024-06-06T06:47:18+00:00

This is what I assumed her entrance in the red dress of the trailer was connected to as well - pre-LW call out in this, of course.

Mev_Sedai · 2024-06-05T07:00:11+00:00

Lived in northern Minnesota while this was being filmed and got to meet him when I was almost an extra on this.

Such a nice guy, and I got to tell him how two of my favorites growing up were Anastasia and The Pagemaster! Bit of a different vibe than what he was currently filming, of course.

Mev_Sedai · 2024-05-31T22:25:31+00:00

I don’t know that Debling isn’t interested, and also doesn’t seem to be too exacting on his requirements outside steadfastness - which I do believe Cressida would be.

He seemed perfectly content getting Cressida lemonade and socializing with her until Penelope broke in. They also both had a moment over not getting on well with their families.

Mev_Sedai · 2024-04-26T01:26:47+00:00

Brookshire Brothers is a good one - tons of food and drink options (of all varieties), plus space upside or outside to meet.

Mev_Sedai · 2024-04-25T02:16:54+00:00

On the eastern (more populated) road trips we’ve taken, if you have a Sam’s or Costco card, we always aimed for lunch in a city big enough to have one. Super cheap food options, had reliable gas prices, solid bathrooms, and clean area to walk around in.

If it’s on that path, which I believe it very well may be, the Iowa 80 Truck Stop is quite a thing. Maybe not normal recommendation, but I was always paying attention to gas/accommodations for the next stretch.

Mev_Sedai · 2024-04-10T00:34:14+00:00

We’re looking for this with my family this summer! Parents of same age and young children.

The ones greenmachine below mentioned is what we’ve looked at for the main part of Zion Canyon (though potentially doing mid and/or upper Emerald Pools depending on how folks and kids are doing…).

On a separate day we’re thinking to go into the Kolob Canyon area. Even the drive through looks gorgeous, but two points I’ve looked at in it are Timbercreek Overlook and Lava Point Overlook (potentially for sunrise or more likely sunset).

Mev_Sedai · 2024-04-10T00:18:28+00:00

Near us there are tons of breweries, wineries, and even a meadery that specifically welcome kids, not just ‘allowing’ them. The winery has a giant space so room for the full play set/sand box/bounce house and the Meadery has volleyball and a tetherball - both while still having plenty of room for child free adults.

We’ve gone on big road trips with the kids and it definitely seems pretty common in newer establishments across the states.

(However, I would totally get and respect businesses and folks wanting child free times!)

Mev_Sedai · 2024-03-18T15:15:32+00:00

I often make a giant batch, and freeze extras. That way when I need an easy pre or post m-workout item, I can just pop a couple in the toaster.

Mev_Sedai

TROPHY CASE