We did back-to-back programs,4911 and 2276, with Dixie State College (DSC)and highly recommend that procedure. St. George, Utah is an interesting city; among other things, it has neither litter nor parking meters. Elaine Esplin is a terrific DSC coordinator/administrator who went out of her way to accommodate us. For example, because we had opted at the airport for carry-on baggage only, she arranged to supply us with a Swiss army knife, a cork screw and two hiking poles when we arrived. In addition, there was no charge for staying the two nights in between our trips. Further, she arranged that for the day of our eventual departure for the flight home, we could use our room until we left in the afternoon.
The College Inn, the home base for DSC trips is very comfortable, centrally located and possesses a heated swimming pool and a hot tub.
The trips themselves were superbly run, taking into account the weather and the physical conditioning of the participants. Darrell McMahon is an enthusiastic and experienced leader who knows the area by heart and is in love with geology. He also put in long hours setting up exhibits, laying out the food and arranging details; he even loaned his son's guitar to my wife so she could practice while away from home. Mention should also be made of the bus driver, Paul Peterson, who was an invaluable de facto assistant leader and possessor of unflappable good humor.
The hiking itself was beyond belief. Whether in Zion National Park itself or around St. George, trails are everywhere. We did some long hikes, some short hikes and some in between. The pace was perfect.