I probably should have done a little more research before I planned a 2 week stay along the Arizona/Utah border near Kanab in April. Had I done a little investigating, I would not have been surprised that these two states are not in the same time zone in the summer. Arizona does not do daylight savings time which is fine unless like us you need to travel back and forth between the 2 states everyday. Reminds me of the Chicago Song, “Does anyone really know what time it is?”
Sorry - We're Closed
April falls into the off-season for this area as well. Many businesses seem to have reduced hours. Some very useful roads are closed now including Route 9 into Zion from Hwy 89. I am most disappointed when we pass the sign notifying us that the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is closed for the winter until May 15th. I guess that trip will stay in my bucket until we pass this way one summer.
Pipe Spring National Monument
In spite of these limitations, I love visiting Utah. The warm days and cool nights we enjoy now make this a fabulous time to be here. Everywhere I look, nature’s colors and rock sculptures take my breath away. In fact, our first tour in the area begins across the road from our campground. We enter the museum at Pipe Spring National Monument just in time for the hourly guided tour of the Mormon fort there.
You can check out the website for all the details, but here is my short version of the tour. As part of their supply system, the Mormons built this ranch over a fresh water spring. In the late 1800’s this gusher produced over 40 gallons per minute. Today the spring only pumps about 4 gallons per minute. After a fatal Indian attack, the Mormons add walls and a gate to fortify the structure. Before they complete the “fort,” they forge a peace with the Indians.
Colorful Scenery and Colorful History
With walls no longer needed for protection, the easily defended ranch manager’s dwelling becomes home to a telegraph station in the extra rooms. This station was operated only by woman. The Utah telegraph instructor at that time refused to teach men. She claimed that they learned too slowly. Once polygamy became illegal in Utah, plural wives sought shelter at this fort to avoid arrest. Colorful landscapes and history – what a place!
You guys can find some of the neatest places to visit. Would love to go out there one day to check this place out. Thanks for sharing. GOD BLESS
JD
Jim
The truth is the places often find us. I am not a great planner, but will turn off on a dirt road in a minute!
Have you been back to Bryce Canyon this trip or is that closed? Utah is a beautiful state, that’s for sure.
Bryce is open. We drove by it on our way back from Grand Staircase the other day. So much to see we won’t get back to it all this time I am afraid.