Adventures for Couples

In an effort to beat the rain forecasted for Labor Day, I wanted to get in a quick hike on the Saturday before. So with a husband dedicated to BYU football, I took my two kids, aged 2 years and 6 months, and my dad for a hike on Saturday evening. It’s a great time to hike: a way to enjoy the scenery without the threat of heat stroke.

"In the big Rock Candy Mountains,
There’s a land that’s fair and bright, . . .
Where the sun shines ev-ry day, . . .
And the lemonade spring,
Where the blue bird sings,
In the big Rock Candy Mountains."

Ron Kay has been a Zion’s National Park explorer and guide for more than 30 years. He recently published a new book called “Zion National Park: Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Zion National Park But Didn’t Know Who to Ask.”  This sounded like an open invitation to ask. Kay had some great inside information to offer that will make your trip to Zion National Park a more enriching and exciting experience.

I start with Scenic Byway 12 because it really is the most remarkable stretch of all-American highway in southern Utah.  But even this gorgeous three-hour drive begs the question: is it really any fun with kids?  With four under the age of 8 my husband and I will join the rallying cry with an exuberant “Yes!”

Aside from the fact that Highway 12 is some of the most scenic in all of southern Utah, you also can consider it the path to some of the most scenic places to hop out of the car and embark on an adventure of a few minutes, hours, days or weeks. Whether you are looking for tourist-kitsch or to wander for days on end where few have, you will find access to it along Highway 12.

Snowbird’s annual Oktoberfest celebrates its 36th anniversary this year with seven weekends of fun beginning Aug. 23. More than 70,000 visitors are expected to enjoy the live music, dancing, authentic German food and children’s activities taking place at Snowbird every Saturday, Sunday and Labor Day through Sunday, Oct. 5.

With three pools, each progressively further up a side canyon from the Virgin River in Zion National Park, and each progressively more difficult to get to, the Emerald Pools hike is an option with something for everyone. We gathered our four kids, hopped off the Zion National Park free shuttle at Zion Lodge and hit the trailhead across the street from the lodge.