And so the weather finally caught up with us ...

We woke to find barely a hint of blue sky, hidden by masses of grey/white clouds. We took this as a sign that we were to take a bit of a break from dashing about to see the sights and had a lazy morning, criticising dire American TV shows whilst making yet another slice of toast, cup of tea or Starbucks coffee. Eventually we were threatened with mid-day and decided we should probably head out for a bit. I'd read on the internet about a trek which would give a terrific view of the canyon from Observation Point ... the main benefit of this particular walk being a car park nestled nearby which meant the car did the bulk of the 2,000ft climb. The rain had started by the time we wound our way up the scenic drive and back through the 2km tunnel. It was torrential by the time we'd parked at the far end of the tunnel. Ailsa, being the wiser of the two of us, decided to stay in the car and read a book. Me? I had my Indiana Jones hat with me and felt invincible to the elements! It's fair to say I didn't meet too many people on the walk come clamber up to Observation Point. I joked with those I met on their way back about the weather and commented that presumably the view would be worth it. More often than not it was greeted with: "Well ... I suppose on a good day ..." I wondered how Ailsa was getting on with her book. A couple returning passed me near the summit. I made a new friend as it turned out the gentleman's great-great-great-great-grandfathers-cousins-dog was once bitten by a midge that they'd sworn was from Scotland. We must be related! I reached the summit in peace and took in the (admittedly cloudy) outlook in quiet solitude ... until the noise of some boisterous American college types could be heard approaching. I took a moment to consider what a complete nightmare this little perch must be on a busy summers day and headed back, practising my best Polish accent under my breath so as to avoid an inevitable conversation with the approaching frat party about Braveheart. For the remainder of the afternoon we took the free bus shuttle service into the most visited section of the National Park - the only transport allowed in this section is the shuttle service to conserve the area from wall-to-wall SUVs and RVs. The weather ensured the park was really quiet and we genuinely had high hopes that at some point the rain would abate and we could wander off on one of the many recommended walks (the Emerald Pools being top of our wish list). Unfortunately it wasn't to be, but we did see some fantastic waterfalls that many visitors would never see, especially at the Temple of Sinawava. The Virgin River was in full flow and you could almost see it recarving the landscape in front of our eyes, just as the bus commentary describes happening on many occasions. That night we headed for an eatery I'd read recommendations for on an internet travel blog a while ago: Zion Pizza & Noodle Co. We weren't the only ones with the same idea! The restaurant seemed to have turned their overhead bar heaters up full to encourage all the passing drenched walkers inside. Within no time we felt warm and cosy, filling our bellies with caesar salad, handmade pizzas and yummy pasta. After dinner we headed back to our accommodation so Ailsa could try out the deepest bath we'd yet seen in America (it was about mid-shin deep) whilst I turned to important things like updating our travel blog!