Zion National Park

Josh and I have lived in Utah for over 4 years now and this was out first time visiting Zion National Park. Some friends of ours were getting married and chose this perfect outdoor spot for their special day. It was totally fitting for their personalities since much of their years dating had included outdoor adventures like fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and camping. Several stories were told at the reception about their adventures dating like when Mitch, in efforts to impress Jenni, switched cars with his sister so he didn't have to pick her up in the family van. In his excitement he forgot to give his sister a call to warn her of the switch so when she came back to her car after hiking she reported her car stolen. Eventually the family figured out what he had done meanwhile he was love-struck and clueless of what stress he had caused the family. Its always fun to hear stories of young love! The reception dinner took place at Parallel Eighty-Eight, a new restaurant in Springdale, that was created by the old head chef from Spotted Dog. He just started this restaurant this year and has seen much success. We enjoyed ever bite of our 4 course meal: Jumbo prawns and soba noodles in a white wine cream sauce for an appetizer, then an Asian Pear Salad with edamame, slices pecans, and apricots in a white peach vinaigrette, Seared Chicken with roasted herd and pine nut couscous and asparagus in a chardonnay cream sauce, and the grand finale a flourless chocolate cake with milk chocolate mousse, dark chocolate ganache and berry coulis. We slept well that night for sure. The next day we enjoyed a drive through Zion National Park and were especially intrigues by the mile long tunnel that was built by miners around 1930 that takes you through the red rock mountains occasionally opening up with windows giving picturesque views of the canyons. We worked back up our hunger and found a place for brunch called Oscar's Cafe just off the main drag in Springdale. There I enjoyed an Egg White Spinach Omelet and fresh salsa. From Springdale we got back on the road to Vegas for a quick day of shopping, for Josh mainly- he loves H & M, then we headed to St. George to stay the night with our close friends Melissa and Phil. A packed weekend but filled with great food and memories. We definitely found Zion and the quaint town of Springdale to be a great spot to visit.