Teardropping in the American Southwest

After a year in our garage waiting patiently for another adventure, the small but mighty teardrop has emerged into the sunlight once again. He (she?) started out on Monday morning, traveling the long and familiar route from SoCal to the real wild west of Nevada, Arizona and Utah. He went where he was towed to go by his master (aka the pickup), diligently crossing the 100-degree desert, stopping only once in the all-to-familiar hamlet of Primm, where we came to the rescue of some Chinese tourists who were unable to purchase gasoline at the pump. Later, we made a brief visit to the Virgin River gorge, but 104-degree temps cut the visit short.

We all shared sleeping accommodations in the KOA in Hurricane, Utah, where the grown-ups cooled off in the pool. Here's the view from the teardrop the next morning.

The highlight of the trip so far has been Zion National Park, where J & L hiked to the Emerald Pools, stood under waterfalls (albeit kind of puny ones in summer), and cooled their toes in the Virgin River. Zion is in Payute Indian Country, and it is not only majestic, but also feels incredibly spiritually resonant. The pictures really don't do justice to the natural beauty of the red sandstone, carved smooth and proud by eons of rainfall.

After the hike, beer, of course. Next stop: Utah Shakespeare Festival!