Of course there's pie! :-) I loved taking this journey to Zion with you! Have you ever done the Angel's Landing hike? I CRAWLED at the top like a toddler I was so scared but I loved it and everything about this park. Your electric bicycle morning sounds perfect for my next trip there. Thanks for the great idea and post, Ruth!
Thanks for reading, Lolly! Yes, we did the Angel’s Landing hike—except for the final climb on chains. Neither my husband nor I had the nerve to attempt it, though we watched enviously as others did. I can’t say if I’ll try again. Maybe next time we’ll complete the Narrows hike in the river—or perhaps just another bike ride—it really was our favorite! I hope you get a chance to do it. 🤗
It sounds like a great trip Ruth, and a lovely part of the world. Your photos are gorgeous and it looks like you had the best weather. We spend a bit of time a few years ago in the area visiting Monument Valley, Bryce Canyon and Moab and surrounds but never made it as far as Zion. And we ate fry bread!
Thanks so much, Julia! Zion is wonderful, but Monument Valley, Bryce and Moab are all amazing and part of that same stunning red rock landscape. I will have to try making some of that fry bread—as soon as we shed a few of those vacation pounds! 😆
I have strong memories of being shut out of Zion twice even when I arrived at 5:30 am, the summer after the pandemic when the entire nation was seemingly visiting Zion! Thanks for sharing your trip, since it’s officially off my list. 🥹
Did you get a chance to stop at the “Ho-Made” pie shop in Springdale?
Really? Shut out of Zion? That’s awful, Amie! I hope you get a chance to visit sometime, though it is pretty discouraging how crowded it has become— except on a bike!
No, I didn’t happen upon the Ho-Made pie shop—just Bumbleberry. Inspired by your post, I also had hoped to make a pilgrimage to Best Friends and meet some of the animals in the sanctuary, but unfortunately we ran out of time. Next time…
Yes, I thought my biking days were behind me, but now I think not! Do you bike too, Evelyn? I imagine playing tennis and taking amazing photos may eat up most of your energy—though maybe not as you seem tireless!🤗
Thanks so much, Kate! Now that I’m finally back in my kitchen, I’m eager to give the pie a try, though I don’t think I’ve ever come across salmonberries here in SoCal. What a delightful color they are, especially mixed with raspberries! The jelly and shrub recipes also look great. Thanks again for the pie inspiration—perfect timing for summer berry season!🥰🥧🫐
My favorite summer dessert is blueberry pie, and I have fond memories of childhood road trips to Maine. Thanks for asking! That photo of your dad and his siblings on skis is precious! A giggle bush sounds right out of a fairy tale. Good stuff, Ruth.
Thanks so much, Vicki! I’ve tasted those Maine blueberries and they really are special—I bet they’d make the best-ever blueberry pie!🫐I’d love to hear more about those childhood road trips too—maybe a future post?
I’ve seen so little of the American West, and none of the National Parks. Still hoping to make it happen one of these days. Sounds like you had a marvelous trip.
Great stuff, Ruth! Zion and Bryce are two of our favourite NPs in America's Southwest and we arr long overdue to write about them, but our absolute favourite would have to be Canyon de Chelly:
Thanks so much! I loved your piece! We’ve visited Flagstaff, Sedona and the Four Corners, even sampled Navajo Fry Bread (though I’ve never made it!), but we’ve never been to Canyon de Chelly. Obviously we need to add it to our list. So much to see…
It all sounds magical and fun. Are you anxious to get back in your kitchen to start making some of the food you discovered? Which comes first italy or the wild west?
For those who don’t know, a concrete is a super-thick milkshake made of frozen custard and mix-ins of your choice. It’s a whole lot thicker than a regular milkshake and takes a spoon, not a straw, to eat. The ones we’ve tasted come from Nielsen’s Frozen Custard and are stupendous!
These pictures are awesome! When we go someday, I'll re-read and take notes!
Of course there's pie! :-) I loved taking this journey to Zion with you! Have you ever done the Angel's Landing hike? I CRAWLED at the top like a toddler I was so scared but I loved it and everything about this park. Your electric bicycle morning sounds perfect for my next trip there. Thanks for the great idea and post, Ruth!
Thanks for reading, Lolly! Yes, we did the Angel’s Landing hike—except for the final climb on chains. Neither my husband nor I had the nerve to attempt it, though we watched enviously as others did. I can’t say if I’ll try again. Maybe next time we’ll complete the Narrows hike in the river—or perhaps just another bike ride—it really was our favorite! I hope you get a chance to do it. 🤗
Ooooh! We did the narrows! It was a blast. Such an adventure. Looking forward to your next escapades!
Thanks, Lolly!
It sounds like a great trip Ruth, and a lovely part of the world. Your photos are gorgeous and it looks like you had the best weather. We spend a bit of time a few years ago in the area visiting Monument Valley, Bryce Canyon and Moab and surrounds but never made it as far as Zion. And we ate fry bread!
Thanks so much, Julia! Zion is wonderful, but Monument Valley, Bryce and Moab are all amazing and part of that same stunning red rock landscape. I will have to try making some of that fry bread—as soon as we shed a few of those vacation pounds! 😆
I have strong memories of being shut out of Zion twice even when I arrived at 5:30 am, the summer after the pandemic when the entire nation was seemingly visiting Zion! Thanks for sharing your trip, since it’s officially off my list. 🥹
Did you get a chance to stop at the “Ho-Made” pie shop in Springdale?
Really? Shut out of Zion? That’s awful, Amie! I hope you get a chance to visit sometime, though it is pretty discouraging how crowded it has become— except on a bike!
No, I didn’t happen upon the Ho-Made pie shop—just Bumbleberry. Inspired by your post, I also had hoped to make a pilgrimage to Best Friends and meet some of the animals in the sanctuary, but unfortunately we ran out of time. Next time…
I’m just always blown away by your pictures, Ruth! (Not to mention your writing!) loved seeing your Dad and his siblings ❤️
Thanks, Jolene!🥰
Isn’t it wonderful how e-bikes came into our lifetime just as the thought of biking up a steep hill might keep us from doing it.
Yes, I thought my biking days were behind me, but now I think not! Do you bike too, Evelyn? I imagine playing tennis and taking amazing photos may eat up most of your energy—though maybe not as you seem tireless!🤗
I feel the same way about UBER!! I will be able to Uber to tennis when I can no longer drive myself.
Ah, Evelyn, I suspect you will find a way to get wherever you want and do whatever you want as long as you draw breath (which I hope is forever!).🥰
Well thank you for the mention, Ruth and here's a link to a berry pie that you make with whatever berries you have on hand whether fresh or frozen. Hope you like it! https://katemcdermott.substack.com/i/131698325/iv-salmon-rasp-berry-pie
Thanks so much, Kate! Now that I’m finally back in my kitchen, I’m eager to give the pie a try, though I don’t think I’ve ever come across salmonberries here in SoCal. What a delightful color they are, especially mixed with raspberries! The jelly and shrub recipes also look great. Thanks again for the pie inspiration—perfect timing for summer berry season!🥰🥧🫐
My pleasure...Be Happy, Make Pie!
My favorite summer dessert is blueberry pie, and I have fond memories of childhood road trips to Maine. Thanks for asking! That photo of your dad and his siblings on skis is precious! A giggle bush sounds right out of a fairy tale. Good stuff, Ruth.
Thanks so much, Vicki! I’ve tasted those Maine blueberries and they really are special—I bet they’d make the best-ever blueberry pie!🫐I’d love to hear more about those childhood road trips too—maybe a future post?
I’ve seen so little of the American West, and none of the National Parks. Still hoping to make it happen one of these days. Sounds like you had a marvelous trip.
Thanks, Domenica! We did, but now it’s back to “reality”—overdue bills, but also cooking again, the fun part!🤗
Great stuff, Ruth! Zion and Bryce are two of our favourite NPs in America's Southwest and we arr long overdue to write about them, but our absolute favourite would have to be Canyon de Chelly:
https://open.substack.com/pub/marcoandsabrina/p/standing-on-the-corner-in-winslow?r=10ijux&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Thanks so much! I loved your piece! We’ve visited Flagstaff, Sedona and the Four Corners, even sampled Navajo Fry Bread (though I’ve never made it!), but we’ve never been to Canyon de Chelly. Obviously we need to add it to our list. So much to see…
I know. Right!
I’ve never heard of a giggle bush before… sounds like something a child would make up in a game. Now I’m gonna have to go investigate…
Thanks, Hoang! It definitely does sound like a fairytale for kids. If you do turn up some more info, I’d love to hear about it!🤗
It all sounds magical and fun. Are you anxious to get back in your kitchen to start making some of the food you discovered? Which comes first italy or the wild west?
Thanks, Judy! That’s a quandary— may be a little bit of both!
Great funny! And next time: a concrete, or two.
For those who don’t know, a concrete is a super-thick milkshake made of frozen custard and mix-ins of your choice. It’s a whole lot thicker than a regular milkshake and takes a spoon, not a straw, to eat. The ones we’ve tasted come from Nielsen’s Frozen Custard and are stupendous!