If you could hie to Kolob

The first week of February, we enjoyed some Arizona warmth.  We also enjoyed a great road trip going south.  In the LDS or Mormon hymnbook, you will find the hymn "If You Hie to Kolob" with lyrics written by William Clayton and first published in the Times and Seasons in 1842.  The melody for this hymn is a well known folk tune "Dives and Lazarus." Kolob is a planet or star referred to in Mormon scripture.  As the Mormons settled the western United States many of the names given places and towns were based on names from Mormon scriptures.  Thus this beautiful place just five miles off Interstate 15 between Cedar City and St. George, Utah, is called Kolob Canyon.

My sister, Lynette, tagged along on this road trip.

Kolob Canyon is a part of Zion's National Park but has a separate entrance from the main entrance and is a several miles drive to the northwest.

It was interesting to be there during winter.  There was less green to contrast with the red rocks.

We had a great chauffeur and tour guide.

 There had been a big rain storm recently so our little hike to a lookout point was a muddy one when not sandy.  The views, however, were stunning.

A view south toward the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Pine Mountain to the west.

 Green, sandstone red, and blue.

The other part of Zion's peaking over the ridge.

It had been years, yes years, since we had taken that five mile drive.  I can not even count the number of times that we have whizzed by.  We will stop more often for I want to see it in every season.

Glen related a long ago story when he stopped with teenage boys in the car.

Can you guess what they might have named this special formation?

So now I have seen Kolob Canyon in winter.

And we will be back for spring, summer, and fall.  Did you know that the National Park Service is selling a $10 lifetime pass for all National Parks for those 62 and older?  Score!!