Day 8 -- Tree Huggers! Zion was full of them. You know, serious outdoorsmen (and women). -- As I embark on this mini tirade let me say that I love being annoyed by people. Criticizing them just gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling inside. -- As I parked at the Zion Visitor Center I looked around and huggers were everywhere. Where else would they be? They are easily identifiable in their wide brin sun repellent hats, back packs, fanny packs, hiking boots with heavy socks and shorts and that ultimate fashion accessory -- the walking stick. Why the hell you need a walking stick to hike a paved trail is beyond me -- oh, yeah. Duh! To look like a hiker! One old man had a small tree truck and was moving at a glacial pace AND receiving compliments on this hiking implement. "Now that's a walking stick." I'll give you a walking stick . . .
But my most beloved part of the uniform is the hat. I get that you want to keep the sun off your neck and stay cool, but I know something about being vulnerable to the heat -- with blood pressure so low you could slip it under the door, a shaved head and no functioning sweat glands -- I can tell you that a ball cap works just fine. The instant I see those hats I think of what Tony (my dad) would have said: "I wish I had two of those hats. One to shit in and the other to cover it up with."
Now that I've bashed them let me say that huggers are in great shape and despite their know-it-all attitude (Can you image these people running the courty? We'd be straving and broke. But, I know, they counter balance the corporate polluters, etc.) they are great for people watching. Not one obese person in sight. They are courteous as hell too. SO despite my critique, I like huggers.
Zion National Park was fabulous. Actual shuttles take you into the canyon and drop you off at the trail heads and stuff, and come by every six minutes. Just like Disney World. It was great. I did a ton of hiking until I ran completely out of gas. I walked around 12,000 steps yesterday -- about 6 miles. I got some good pictures but I messed up a bunch of them. I'll do better next time. I thought it was infinitely superior to Yellowstone. Oh yes, two Canadian women spoke to me. That's right, my stranger-encounter of the day was initiated by the stranger.
Exhausted, I made it back to the car and stripped of my vest and t-shirt and shoes and socks -- not all at once -- and put on flip flops and a muscle shirt for the drive to Vegas. Speaking of clothes, I have a confession. In my REI Titanium sunproof multi-pocket vest and Nike cross coutry shoes I was dangerously close to looking like a huggers myself! Of course, a COOL hugger. -- I cruised out of Utah and was surprised to go through the corner of Arizona. LAs Vegas was now very close.
My motel in Vegas is miles from the strip and the area looks perfectly normal (non-Las Vegas like, that is). After falling asleep for a while I hauled my dragging ass outside at 10:30 and headed down Las Vegas Blvd. Not as tacky as I remember it, although I only went as far south as The Mirage where I pulled in. I stumbled into the first restaurant I saw in the casino, and wonder of wonders, it was a California Pizza Kitchen. Aw, something familiar. I ate a pizza. Then I was compelled to lose some money; so I did. It was entirely unsatisfying. And, oh yes, people watching. The World's Capital.
So I've driven 3000 miles. Been through ten states (two of them for the first time) and am still lovin' it. Tomorrow, California! By the way, I thought I would probably lose weight because I wouldn't be snacking at night, and I didn't realize how active I would be. I just weighed myself, after breakfast, with my clothes on. The scale must be wrong (it was one of those balance beam things like doctors use.) I was down twenty pounds!
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