Going to St George, need help!

[Sombeech]

I'm going down next week with my pregnant wife. Problem? I usually go biking down there. This time, I may bring my bike, but the majority of time will be spent with her, just chilling out. I may have her drop me off at 1 or 2 trailheads, but that's all for the bike. Just short rides.

Can you guys/gals advise me on what we can do down there that won't require a lot of hiking or walking? (she's pregnant)

I would really just like to take some nice scenic drives down there. Maybe through Snow Canyon, or Zion. We'll go down Thursday night, and come back Sunday. Anybody know of some cool roads/drives down there?

I don't want to go to the mall or outlet stores, we can do that at home, so I'd appreciate anything that is specific to that area down there.

[derstuka]

I'm going down next week with my pregnant wife. Problem? I usually go biking down there. This time, I may bring my bike, but the majority of time will be spent with her, just chilling out. I may have her drop me off at 1 or 2 trailheads, but that's all for the bike. Just short rides.

Can you guys/gals advise me on what we can do down there that won't require a lot of hiking or walking? (she's pregnant)

I would really just like to take some nice scenic drives down there. Maybe through Snow Canyon, or Zion. We'll go down Thursday night, and come back Sunday. Anybody know of some cool roads/drives down there?

I don't want to go to the mall or outlet stores, we can do that at home, so I'd appreciate anything that is specific to that area down there.

I think that Zion would be your best bet to me. Either hit Zion, or drive another hour and check out bryce canyon down the road. Zion has some easy hikes, or areas where you can just walk in the open near trees or a stream, and can be driven thru...though only part of Zion after April 1st. Head on over Kanab to eat at one of their nifty little cafes.

[accadacca]

Yeah, Zion would be cool to hang out. I agree that Bryce would be cool too! Prolly what I'd do.

[savanna3313]

Too bad the Tuacahn Theater hasn't opened for the season yet. Even if you didn't care for whatever production was being presented, seeing anything performed at this awesome venue is worth the visit. It's a huge amphitheater surrounded by those gorgeous red cliffs. I've seen several shows/concerts down there and it's a magnificent place. You can still go check it out though and it's right by Snow Canyon.

I'm a closet history buff, so if you're into history you can always do historical tours of different homes (Jacob Hamblin and Brigham Young are two that come to mind) and other select areas. If you head to Zion, any drive in and around that area is worth taking. Depending on how close your wife is to her due date, don't get too far off the beaten track. :nod:

Hey......you can always drive over to the east side of Zion and visit Tanya (she's mainly on the Zion yahoo group, but she is a member here as well) and eat ho-made pie! :haha: I don't remember which post it was, but someone placed a picture of her famous "Ho-Made Pies" sign on here not too long ago.

[Sombeech]

Yeah, I'll probably end up driving through Zion. Doesn't Tanya work in the lodge or something?

Has anybody driven through Zion, and continued on the highway North East? What's that drive like? Isn't that how you get to Bryce?

[derstuka]

Yeah, I'll probably end up driving through Zion. Doesn't Tanya work in the lodge or something?

Has anybody driven through Zion, and continued on the highway North East? What's that drive like? Isn't that how you get to Bryce?

That is exactly how you get thru Bryce by way of Zion. Yes, I have done that drive several times. Take the 9 east to the 89 north, to the 12 west. Bryce is about a hour or so northeast. I thought it was a pretty drive, especially if you do it during the Spring-time, like now. Cedar Breaks (on the way to Bryce) is an option as well, but I am sure that the road still might be closed to the park.

[Sombeech]

I will make that drive then. This will be my first time to Bryce. I only wish I could go hiking and/or biking, but we'll probably just be driving and looking around.

It will get me prepared for some riding later this year hopefully. I can study out the trails.

[savanna3313]

Yeah, I'll probably end up driving through Zion. Doesn't Tanya work in the lodge or something?

Has anybody driven through Zion, and continued on the highway North East? What's that drive like? Isn't that how you get to Bryce?

Tanya and her family own and operate the businesses located there - the hotel, restaurant, Chevron. There's a map and all kinds of info located on this website:

http://eastziontourismcouncil.org/

[derstuka]

I will make that drive then. This will be my first time to Bryce. I only wish I could go hiking and/or biking, but we'll probably just be driving and looking around.

It will get me prepared for some riding later this year hopefully. I can study out the trails.

Bryce Canyon is totally worth the drive. All of those "hoo doos" are really neat. There are some very easy hikes there that you can take your wife on. Most are not too strenuous. You can't really bike in Bryce anyways.

[Sombeech]

Cool, thanks for the good info you guys. (and savanna :haha: )

[Iceaxe]

I've always wanted to go see the Dino tracks in St. George. Supposed to be primo....

[LJ]

I've always wanted to go see the Dino tracks in St. George. Supposed to be primo....

The Dino Tracks are way cool and they have a great facility now!



Lynn

[James_B_Wads2000]

I've always wanted to go see the Dino tracks in St. George. Supposed to be primo....

The Dino Tracks are way cool and they have a great facility now!



Lynn

Where are they at? You guys got a link to some beta?

James

[rockgremlin]

Those tracks are pretty cool. Here's a link:

http://www.sgcity.org/dinotrax/indexmain.php

[Sombeech]

So, if I drive through Zion and continue to Bryce, will I have to pay 2 park fees, or is it just one fee for both parks?

[derstuka]

So, if I drive through Zion and continue to Bryce, will I have to pay 2 park fees, or is it just one fee for both parks?

Probably two fees. If I were you, I would just buy the annual National Park Pass for fifty bucks (that's what I do). It is good for a year, and the cost to get into a national park is sometimes 20 bucks anyways.

[Sombeech]

I just borrowed my uncle's pass. :naughty: It's only got his signature on there, and I don't think they check I.D.

[derstuka]

I just borrowed my uncle's pass. :naughty: It's only got his signature on there, and I don't think they check I.D.

Maybe you will have better luck, however, "everytime" I have used the pass they have asked for I.D., everytime...

[James_B_Wads2000]

In fact every National Park I have been to have been total dicks about using a parks pass. One time on a trip to Zion a friend of mine brought his annual pass. He had scribbled his signature so that friend could use it. Well when he was in my car, no problem. The checked his ID and compared it to the signature. Well at one point we were separated and he gave me his pass so that I could get back in to the park campground where he was. A different ranger checked the signature and only let us by after grilling us over whose it really was. It the end it was only because of the charm of my third friend (who was pretending to be the pass

[Sombeech]

Hell!

The card I borrowed says my uncle's name, Mark, with my same last name. It could pass as a "Mary" or a "Marty". Do you think I could sign my name on the Spouse line, since we have the same last name? Then they could compare my signature to my license.

[James_B_Wads2000]

Hell!

The card I borrowed says my uncle's name, Mark, with my same last name. It could pass as a "Mary" or a "Marty". Do you think I could sign my name on the Spouse line, since we have the same last name? Then they could compare my signature to my license.

You could try it. But be prepared to be hassled. If you were to say, "Mary is my wife's name." Then they would probably ask your wife to show ID (she will be in the car with you right?). I would just get your cover story straight and be very charming and direct. And be ready to fork over your 20. Tell us how it goes.

James

[Sombeech]

Well, I ended up just buying my own card, even though I borrowed my uncle's. I'm pretty sure I'll use it up. I just used $40 out of the $50 that it cost this weekend. I'll have Arches, Yellowstone, and Grand Canyon that are definites.

I did a Church Rocks bike TR (http://uutah.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2481) and a Bryce Canyon hiking TR (http://uutah.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2482) if anybody's interested.

Funny thing is, they checked my I.D. when I went back through Zion. I don't look anything like my driver's license, and I screwed up on the signature of the card because the pen ran out of ink.

Signatures in those situations are "high pressure". :haha:

[bruce from bryce]

Hey Sombeech,

Yes the parks do check the signature against an ID. If this guy comes to Bryce and tries to use that pass it WILL be confiscated and he will pay the $20.00.

Best bet is to purchase his own. $50 bucks for one year for any national park that charges an entrance fee.

[bruce from bryce]

One more thing.

In my 4 years working the entrance station at Bryce we confiscated over 500 passes which works out to be $25,000 worth of passes. The misuse of these passes deprives individual parks of funds to improve the facilities for the visitors -- all of them.

We would not be in this situation if Congress had the balls to fund the parks at the level they need to be. Each year we have to fund pay longevity pay raises out of base monies--they don't appropriate a penny.
:ne_nau:
Yeah, I'm one of those 'government' workers, but I try to ensure proper value is given.

So please re-think your decision to use someone else's pass.

bruce from bryce

THIS OPINION IS MINE ALONE AND DOES NOT REFLECT THAT OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

[Sombeech]

So please re-think your decision to use someone else's pass.

I agree. I actually bought my own pass for this weekend. As I stated above, I kind of "flinched" on my signature because the pen ran out of ink, so I'm a little concerned about running into trouble with this.

So, you work the gate at Bryce? You may know the woman that I bought my pass from on Saturday the 13th, around 3:00 pm. Long, curly light brunette hair, pretty good looking?

[bruce from bryce]

Actually I don't work in the booths anymore. Took a career change into contracting. If you were at Bryce then that would be Ami. Did she have a very infectiuous laugh?

bruce

[Sombeech]

If you were at Bryce then that would be Ami. Did she have a very infectiuous laugh?

She seemed like a happy gal, but I probably looked to scary to make her laugh.