After a quick lunch at the Zion Lodge we board the shuttle bus and finish with a visit to the Sinawava Temple where I coax Kyle into posing for me in front of the Altar and Pulpit with the Virgin River in the foreground.

 
Although we did not reach the top of Angel’s Landing it was a rewarding climb and a great way to start our National Park adventure. If you enlarge the photo you will see Nicolai on the right hand side as he flies down the trail.

Jeanine is pleased when I return with all three children, and we rest for a while before beginning the long descent.

After reaching the next lookout, we pause for a photo and I begin to rethink the wisdom of finishing the trail which continues along the spine of the rock fin pictured behind us. At one point the trail narrows to three feet wide with an 800 foot sheer drop off on one side and a 1200 foot drop off on the other. This is the exact scenario which triggers my worst vertigo and I have learned on this climb that the intense fear is also triggered when I see one of my children in a precarious position. Despite the fact that Nicolai has been on hands and knee since the chains began he stands ready to complete the trail as does Maya who is entirely fearless and part Billy goat. Although Kyle inherited my fear of heights he also wants to reach the top. Ultimately, I enforce a decision to stop here. Thousands of people complete this trail each month but I know I will be paralyzed by my vertigo and I cannot allow the kids to continue without me. I hate having this limitation but must accept it and be thankful for the many other gifts I have.

The entire trail from the base of the monolith is extremely steep and then it becomes ridiculous. Once you reach Scout Lookout it becomes necessary to use the provided chains to ensure you do not fall off the side of the monolith. Jeanine wisely decides to wait for us at the lookout while I muster every ounce of courage I possess to overcome my fear of heights and proceed with the children. The chains eventually take you along the side of a sheer cliff with a 1000 foot drop off. That section would have made for a very dramatic photo but would have required me to take one hand off the chain to press the shutter button and that was not going to happen. The first section of chains, pictured here, were a piece of cake making this photo possible.

 
Kyle and I carry 3L of water each and serve as the hydration stations for the family. Jeanine nursed all three children when they were babies. Now in a reversal of roles her oldest reciprocates. It is essential to carry sufficient water when hiking in the southwest during the summer and we did a very good job of gauging exactly how much to bring with us each day.

 
A cave with a view is discovered by Kyle and Maya along the trail offering a nice respite from the considerable heat and sunshine.

Last night we arrived at the Watchman Campground in Zion National Park and this morning we set out for our first hike. Our destination, pictured here, is Angel’s Landing. The 5 mile, 5 hour round trip requires an ascent of 1500 feet. If you click on the photo you will notice Jeanine and the kids in the lower left corner as they approach the base of the towering monolith.

Before heading out to pick up the RV we spent a few minutes inside the Bellagio enjoying their bird sanctuary and water gardens.

As someone who does not drink or gamble, I find little to appreciate inside the casinos, but I must admit that I really enjoy the choreography of the dancing waters at the Bellagio.

After lunch, we hopped a tram and then continued by foot down the Vegas Strip, enjoying the sights along the way. Our destination was the Bellagio, where our arrival coincided perfectly with the beginning of one of their water fountain shows.

The waves, while not huge, were sufficient to body surf, and all members of the family demonstrated proficiency in the art.

In even less time, the kids are in the water, throwing caution and younger siblings to the wind.

Jeanine wastes little time finding her way poolside and flashes me a smile, suggesting that other pleasures are soon to follow.