Rainy Day
Originally Published April 22, 2022
Today it rained for the first time in weeks, making us feel at home. Our trip has taken us through parts of the country that have experienced over twenty years of drought. With this drought come the flash floods, created by micro bursts of rain, rushing without warning through the valleys. The earth, like a dry sponge, cannot absorb the surge. It creates washouts in the canyons and along the roads. There are fatalities. The signs say head for higher ground—-immediately.
We decided to drive to town, and were stopped by a herd of cows taking their time crossing the road. These are the healthiest cows we’ve ever seen. Every third one stopped for a drink of freshly delivered water on the road. They paid no attention paid to us. They have the run of the Kolob Valley, moving up and down the valley, just as they please, for the best grazing on any particular day. They belong to a ranch down the road but wander freely up into the BLM lands. Boundaries are hard to locate here.
The day before we had been to Zion to hike to the Emerald Pools. Zion is very crowded, and while the Park service does a great job of managing the crowds, there are, well, crowds. We were fortunate to find our more taciturn friends down at the paddock awaiting charges for a ride through the park. Most stood there silently saying to themselves, “please don’t pick me, please don’t pick me.” The stoic, circumspect mules knew, however, that as the most reliable mounts, they would most likely be chosen for this afternoon’s ride.
We took the shuttle to the top of the park and walked to the beginning of The Narrows. A flash flood warning had been posted earlier in the day. We watched with trepidation as a group waded up the river, some in the park issued waders, others in shorts with flip flops. It’s astonishing that so many people survive their trip to the park.
As the day closed, our wonderful hosts Rob and Diane took us to a remote promontory. We told them about our day. “Yes,” they said, “that’s why we like it over here.” We sat with our cocktails in silence as the day set in the valley below.
