Springdale, Utah: Zion National Park, Super Sheep & “Prince Style” Poses

By the time we rolled into Springdale, Utah, we were more than ready for a change of scenery—and Patrick’s friend John flew in to join us, which made it feel like a little reunion. We parked the RV just about a mile from Zion National Park, and honestly, the campground itself could’ve been a destination. Imagine mountains rising up in every direction, a river bubbling nearby, and the kind of view that makes you forget about Wi-Fi for a while.

The view from the campground! Makes it hard to leave, but Zion National Park is even prettier!

Welcome to Zion National Park

Driving into Zion is the kind of thing that shuts everyone up. The cliffs are so massive and close, words just don’t cut it. Patrick was creeping along Route 9 at a snail’s pace, partly because of the twists and turns, but mostly because you can’t help but rubberneck. John leaned forward in the passenger seat, grinning as he pointed out rock formations that looked like frozen waves, while I sat in the back, wide-eyed and refusing to blink in case I missed a single shade of color in the sandstone.

And then—bam. John spotted movement on a cliff above us. A bighorn sheep appeared, posing like it had been carved into the rock just for dramatic effect. Before we could say much more than “Whoa,” it crouched and launched. Not a hop, not a skip—a full-on Superman leap across the road. Patrick slammed the brakes, John grabbed the dash, and I yelped from the backseat. The sheep soared over the hood, landed gracefully on the other side, and trotted off like it did this sort of thing all the time. Meanwhile, the three of us sat in stunned silence, trying to remember how to breathe. Finally, Patrick shook his head and muttered, “Even the sheep here know how to make an entrance.”

Canyon Overlook Shenanigans

That wasn’t even the only show. We hiked the Canyon Overlook Trail one evening to catch the sunset, and while the view was every bit as golden and breathtaking as promised, the real entertainment came from the crowds. Somehow, Patrick and John became the unofficial Zion photography staff—every few minutes, someone would shove a phone in their hands, asking for a photo. They eventually moved away from the prime selfie spot to avoid more assignments.

One part of the view you see on the hike.

Of course, that’s when karma kicked in and I got asked. A group of young Asian friends handed me their phone, and one guy said, “Can you take two shots—one normal, and one Prince style?” I agreed, but inside I was panicking. What the heck is Prince style?! Turns out, it’s just the peace sign. I played it cool, took both pictures, and added “unofficial Zion photographer” to my résumé.

Not at THE selfie spot but a selfie of Patrick and I.

Check out this amazing photo that Patrick captured at the Canyon Overlook!

The Boys vs. The Big Kitty

While I was stuck working one day, Patrick and John decided to tackle a longer hike—somewhere between 8 and 10 miles. They came back full of stories, equal parts impressive and ridiculous. At one point, they spotted mountain lion tracks (or as I call them, “big kitty tracks”) and finally decided it might be wise to turn around. That little survival instinct was great, but apparently not strong enough to make them reconsider when they later heard ice breaking upstream from the snowmelt. Instead of thinking, hmm, danger, they just kept going for a bit. Sometimes I wonder how I’m the cautious one in this trio.

Springdale and Zion were pure magic—waterfalls tumbling from the cliffs, sunsets painting the sky, a sheep with Olympic-level jumping skills, John’s visit, and my brief career as a “Prince style” photographer. It was equal parts breathtaking and hilarious, the kind of stop that leaves you grateful, giggling, and just a little bit in awe.