Kanab, UT, Close to Parks, Far from Everything Else

Utah

April - May 2021

Our Pet-Welcoming Tiny Kanab Airbnb

We arrived in downtown Kanab, UT, just over 4 pm. The Airbnb was a tiny studio with a full kitchen, a full bathroom, and a comfortable bed. However, there were no chairs or couches to sit on. We chose this place because it was one of the few available, affordable spaces that accepted pets and was close to the national parks in the area.

After unloading the car, we went to a local store to get some groceries. That was the first and last time we would buy anything there. For several reasons, we figured we would take the long, 70-mile drive to Hurricane—to the closest Walmart in the area—to get all the necessary groceries and fresh produce for the next two weeks.

Kanab's 70-Mile Grocery Haul

As mentioned before, the closest Walmart was about 70 miles one-way in Hurricane, UT. We didn’t mind driving this far because the route was incredibly scenic, running along the edge of Zion National Park. After we had stocked up here with fresh produce and groceries to last for the next two weeks, we drove a different route back to Kanab, passing by the empty Kaibab Paiute reservation lands.

Although it was cloudy and windy when we returned to Kanab, we still went out for a short walk through a new development with beautiful, large houses, each with acres of land.

Exploring Kanab's Heritage & Cinematic History

After our tough hike in Bryce Canyon National Park yesterday, we decided to take it easy today and enjoy a well-deserved rest day in Kanab. Because there’s no washer here, I did laundry by hand this morning, scrubbing our sweaty, dusty clothes in the sink. Later, my oldest called, so I sat out on the patio and enjoyed the warm sun while we talked. Before I knew it, two hours had gone by, and I finally went inside to make lunch and have some coffee.

In the afternoon, we explored downtown by following the Heritage Walking Tour. We used a self-guided flyer from our studio’s info binder that pointed out important historic houses and pioneer landmarks. Kanab is called Little Hollywood. Its beautiful and varied landscapes, plus lots of sunshine, made it a great place for filmmaking. Many classic Westerns, like Lassie and Gunsmoke (which I loved as a kid), were filmed here or nearby, often using the dramatic red rock formations just outside town as a backdrop.

After the walking tour, we visited the Little Hollywood museum near our Airbnb as well. This interesting outdoor museum featured many small buildings and real movie-set facades used in films made here. We even saw the actual saloon and jailhouse sets from some productions. The museum was definitely worth a visit and gave us a great look at the town’s movie history. I can’t wait to watch some of these movies again to see if I can recognize the area or the sets.

Finding My Mesa Verde Pottery Souvenir

I’d already checked out the tourist shops in downtown Kanab, but I hadn’t visited the two local thrift stores yet. At the second one, I got lucky and found some beautiful, real Mesa Verde pottery for much less than it usually costs. After a few failed attempts, it felt great to finally find the perfect souvenir.

Around 6 p.m. I had my usual call with my friend. It was great to catch up, and we both felt relieved that COVID finally seems to be over and life is getting back to normal. For dinner, I cooked a simple meal: a hearty vegetarian chili con carne.

In Bed All Day!

The people who gave me the second dose of the COVID vaccine warned me that I could experience mild, flu-like symptoms the next day, and they were right. I indeed had all the symptoms: a heavy head, chills, back pain, and a fever. My arm was red and swollen. I took a shower to see if I would feel better and could go out for a walk, but I still felt completely under the weather. So, I crawled right back under the sheets. Hemmes, our traveling cat companion, stayed with me the whole time, with his continuous cuddles and purring comfort. Despite feeling sick, I was grateful to have received my 2nd shot.

A Memorable Final Stop in Kanab

During my last walk in the lovely town of Kanab, I visited the Levi Stewart Memorial. The park has a statue, a red-rock waterfall fountain, and plaques that share the story of the town’s tough early days. I found out that Stewart was a respected missionary and Kanab’s first Bishop. He worked with Mormon leaders Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, helping the town grow by improving roads and building better relationships with local Native Americans after earlier attempts to settle had not worked.

The park is also a place of personal loss for Stewart, as a tragic fire there once took the lives of several of his family members. With its history, red stone, and waterfall, it felt like the right place for me to say goodbye, respectfully taking some photos to reflect the spirit of the area.

Moving On from Utah

Both of my sons called to wish me a Happy Mother’s Day, and my daughter-in-law sent her own sweet Mother-in-Law Day wishes. I love seeing them do so well as adults, living their own lives with confidence and independence. I feel lucky to have them and grateful to be part of their journeys.

After we packed the car, we found Hemmes hiding under the bed. He didn’t want to leave, and honestly, I felt the same. I loved our month in Utah, but since we had already booked our next Airbnb in Arizona, it was time to say goodbye to the Beehive State.