Lose reception, gain perspective. That's the slogan for Zion National Park. I could not have chosen a better mantra for this trip. If I was home, this crazy run would have had me on edge. Don't ask me why. It happens every time. I was wandering through breathtaking scenery yesterday as fiat plummeted against bitcoin. No GPS, just an old style driving map within the boundaries of the National Park. No checking Stacker News every 11 minutes or so. Yes, I check in to SN at night, but I avoided most of the craziness I would be plugged into. I needed a little perspective.

Zion National Park was originally named Mukuntuweap National Monument. In 1918 the area's name was changed to Zion National Monument, adopting the Mormon word for the region.

Springdale, the town that borders the park where we are staying, still retains its Mormon identity. Our little lodge is a clear exception. There were Buddhist statues on the grounds, and I found this book in the nightstand drawer where a Bible is usually found:

It was a beautiful day for our visit to the park. After a quick breakfast eaten in our car outside a local deli, and under the watchful gaze of a few incredibly tame deer that wander all over town, we arrived at the entry gates. To our pleasant surprise we discovered that admission was free, since it was Veteran's Day, a national holiday. We planned a mostly driving tour, since we weren't up for any really challenging hikes. Still, we got plenty of exercise and fresh air, while enjoying some of the most beautiful landscapes imaginable. I have been to many National Parks. They each have their own character. According to Wikipedia, Zion's geography includes mountains, canyons, buttes, mesas, monoliths, rivers, slot canyons, and natural arches.  As an added bonus, the cool, dry air of Zion is energizing. Here are some photos:

Less than an hour's drive from the park is the largest animal sanctuary in the United States. We saved some time for a visit.

The sanctuary is enormous, with large areas dedicated to dogs, cats, pigs, and horses, as well as smaller sections for other animals.

I was speaking to a worker who told me that recently there was a drive sponsored by a few corporate donors that waived any and all adoption fees. Someone could have come in and stocked a farm for free. We made a donation and bought some overpriced souvenirs to help the cause. We also visited many dogs, cats, and pot bellied pigs who were available for adoption.