4/10 Cedar City, UT, to Zion National Park

Our route down I-15 South took us right by Kolob Canyon, which is in the remote Northwest Corner of Zion National Park. We had stopped there on our trip two years ago, so we knew it was well worth a short side-trip. The park entrance is almost connected to the freeway off-ramp. There is a short, five-mile drive up a spectacular, narrow red-rock canyon. Then a one-mile round-trip ridge walk to some great views across the valley to Zion Canyon in the distance.

Angie entered a lottery for an Angel's Landing Hiking Permit the next day. Unfortunately, we didn't get a permit. We stayed at a private campground just outside the park gates. Once again, Angie had reserved one of the best sites. We had a lot of privacy and a 120-degree view of the The Watchman peak and Bridge Mountain on the East Rim of the canyon. This campground had a swimming pool, so we wasted no time getting changed and jumping in.

On our previous trip, we did not hike The Narrows trail - a slot canyon where you have to hike the whole way along the river bottom. That was a high priority for us this year. We loaded up the dogs in Angie's truck and headed into town to rent the bibs and waterproof boots we would need for the hike the next day. We learned that the river was running very high and was expected to be even higher the next day due to melting snow. Only athletic and agile people were advised to event attempt it and the flow rate was expected to be even higher the next day. We decided to return in the morning to check conditions.

We consoled ourselves with some ice cream. Our favorite place, the Springdale Candy Company was closed on Wednesdays, so we went on a search for another shop. We had to jog across the street a couple times during our search. Streak was a little slow - but that was not unusual for him in recent months. We found a shop with outdoor tables where we could tie up the dogs while we ordered. I saved a little to share with the dogs. Streak was resting quietly, so Charlie got it all. 

When we got up to leave, we discovered why Streak was so sedate. He had gotten sick on the sidewalk and was partially lying in the pool of his supper. We cleaned him up and started back to the car. He only got a few steps before he laid down and refused to move. We had a lifting harness on him still, since his last bout with Old Dog Vestibular Disease a month ago. Hank picked him up and carried him two blocks to the truck.

Back at the trailer, we laid him on the large mat we often put in front of our trailer. We gave him the last anti-nausea medication we had left over in hopes that his condition would improve overnight. He refused his favorite treat - Charlie Bear liver snacks from Trader Joe's. 

It took two weeks for Streak to recover from the last incidence of this disease, right before we started our trip. Angie nursed him back to health patiently and lovingly, cleaning up after him and carrying him outside to do his business. Hank was out of town for the first week of that ordeal. Angie's niece, Bria, stayed with Angie to help her lift him and care for him. We knew we couldn't cope with another bout like that and we didn't want to put Streak through it either because he was miserable.

We laid down on the mat with Streak, petting him and talking to him. I told him that he didn't need to hold on for my sake - that I would be ok without him. I told him to "Go to the light.