St George, Utah

Days, Desert Heat, and a Soft Reset Before Zion

After a week surrounded by the cliffs and quiet beauty of Capitol Reef National Park, we made our way to St. George. This stop wasn't about packing every day with hikes and sightseeing. Instead, we had a down week, full of catching up on laundry, relaxing, catching our breath, and letting the kids be kids before heading into Zion National Park.

Sunday – Rolling In and Finding Our Rhythm Again

We arrived mid-day after a relatively easy drive, which felt like a gift after some of our longer travel days. Check-in was quick, and we were able to get set up early, making the whole afternoon feel relaxed from the start.

Once the RV was settled, we headed into town for groceries. It's funny how quickly that becomes part of the routine on the road. Find the nearest store, restock everything you thought you had enough of, and suddenly the RV feels like home again. We spent easily over two hours in Costco. This was the first Costco we have found since leaving six weeks ago.

By evening, we were unpacked, a little tired, and already getting the sense that St. George was going to be exactly the break we needed.

Monday – Pool Day Took Over (and We Let It)

Monday turned into one of those days where you abandon the plan and end up having a better day because of it.

The kids basically lived in the KOA pool. They'd come out for a snack, dry off for a few minutes, and then jump right back in. With temperatures pushing close to 105 degrees, the water felt like the only place anyone wanted to be.

We could have gone looking for more things to do, but after the hiking and travel of the previous weeks, nobody really needed that. Instead, we leaned into a day with no agenda, and it turned out to be exactly what everyone needed.

Tuesday – More of the Same, and That Was Perfect

Tuesday looked a lot like Monday, and no one complained.

The kids were back in the pool early, and the rest of us settled into a slower pace as well. One thing we've learned on this trip is that not every stop needs to be packed with activities. Sometimes the best travel days are the ones where you simply recharge.

By the end of the day, all of us felt refreshed in a way we didn't realize we needed.

Wednesday – Falling a Little in Love with St. George

Midweek, we finally spent more time exploring town, and I don't think any of us expected to like St. George as much as we did. Not all of us loved the heat from St. George but we sure did love the town.

The city has a unique feel to it. Surrounded by red rock cliffs and desert landscapes, it somehow manages to feel both vibrant and relaxed at the same time. Palm trees mix with desert brush, and everything feels clean, open, and easy to navigate.

It's the kind of place where you can understand why some people retire there, why others use it as a gateway to the national parks, and why some visitors probably end up staying longer than they planned.

We wandered around, picked up a few supplies, and enjoyed a day that wasn't rushed by schedules or trailhead alarms.

Thursday – Pickleball Battles and a Sweet Discovery

Thursday brought one of our favorite surprises of the week.

Back at the campground, we discovered the pickleball courts. What started as a casual game quickly turned into full-blown family competition. It's amazing how a simple game can bring out everyone's personality.

Later that evening, we found a dessert shop that quickly became a family favorite: Paletas Gourmet Creamsicles.

Calling it a popsicle shop doesn't really do it justice. The flavors tasted fresh and homemade, with real fruit, creamy fillings, and combinations that felt a little more special than a typical ice cream stop. After another hot desert day, it was exactly what we needed.

Before we even left the parking lot, the kids were already asking if we could go back.

Friday – Packing Up and Looking Ahead

Friday arrived faster than expected.

We worked through our usual departure routine—securing cabinets, putting away the countless items that seem to spread throughout the RV during the week, and making sure we weren't leaving anything behind.

As much as we enjoyed St. George, there was a lot of excitement in the air. This stop had given us a chance to rest, reset, and recharge, but everyone was ready for what came next.

We were headed to Watchman Campground inside Zion National Park for a full week, one of the stops we had been looking forward to since we first started planning this trip.

Heading Into Zion

Leaving St. George felt like shifting gears in the best possible way.

It gave us the rest we needed, the space to slow down, and a chance to reconnect as a family before diving into the next adventure.

The pool days, pickleball games, and unhurried afternoons may not have been the most dramatic moments of the trip, but they were important ones.

Sometimes the best travel memories come from simply having the time to enjoy where you are.

Next stop: canyon walls, river walks, and waking up inside Zion National Park.