This was our 2nd trip to Zion. We LOVE hiking Zion! What did we ever do without smart phones? Seriously. While traveling my way around Utah, I have been given a new Nokia Lumia 900 Windows Phone and I’ve used it to text my sister over and over to let her know her daughter was still safe with us, but most importantly, I used my Window’s Phone to navigate and to find what we needed. 
Whether it be a restaurant, or where the nearest Starbucks is (there are none in Zion) I was able to find what we needed quickly which helped our vacation run very smoothly. So far, the Local Scout feature is my favorite. Simple, quick and easy. It uses the phones navigation to locate your position and brings everything you may need in that location. Even entertainment. I love seeing what’s going on in different cities.
The Local Scout is one of my main tiles on my main page. Simple and ready when I need it. 
We used it all up and down the freeway to find whatever we wanted. I loved being able to tap the top map which then expanded with directions. Did I mention how SIMPLE? It made it pretty darn easy to find our hotel when we arrived in Springdale. (Cutest little town at the base of Zion)
We used all our extra time we saved getting in one more hike before sunset………..then we used the feature to find dinner.
I should suggest an app for hiking attire in water. While hiking “The Narrows” in chest deep water…….one should learn not to wear a white tee and khaki shorts with black undies. I really should have just held out a tip jar.
Now that I’m back at my sisters home, I’ve used it to find a place for a pedicure………all that hiking took a toll on my feet!
How do you find your way around a new town or city?
Disclosure: I will be reviewing the new Nokia Lumia 900 Windows Phone the next 3 months and telling you my thoughts and opinions. I am being compensated for this review, however all opinions are mine and all mine!
Kathryn says
love the idea of Untah ….always wanted to this…hiking in the black hills is my love when ever home…do you know where the the Black Hills are…I love Black Elk Wilderness
Krista Swan says
That looks great, Kim!
When I was just on a big trip through the Redwoods, I didn’t have any cell service or internet – I’m impressed you were able to do all that out in Zion!
Kim says
Krista, I was kinda shocked to get service too……..but oh so glad!
Julie S. says
That sounds like an amazing trip! And a cool phone too! I used my phone to navigate around Seattle and find information so we could be in the first public group to ride the new Great Wheel ferris wheel on June 30th. I can’t even remember when I couldn’t get information on my phone!
andrea stubbs says
your vacation pictures are beautiful kim, you have renewed my desire to visit the grand canyon. that windows phone looks like it has a pretty good camera on it, so tell me when do we get eyelash pictures? 🙂
Kim says
Andrea, I’ll text you my eyelash photos……that I took with my new windows phone camera!
nik says
Zion is so gorgeous…gotta get back there someday!
That’s a really cool phone feature…so easy! I must admit I’m a planner, so I do (probably way too much) research before I travel about where to go, shop, eat, etc. but all that planning usually gets forgotten when I get there and get all spontaneous and impulsive and adventure-seeking. 😉
Cheers!
gail says
Kim–I’m one that is generally LOST, and my tom tom is always letting me down. I think it’s fabulous that you get to test drive this new phone. I’ll be going to California in August, and I could certainly use something like this windows phone. (I’m a diehard pc user)
Zion looks beautiful! (I’m impressed the phone worked in the wilderness!)
great pics!
gail
Kim says
Gail, I have had great luck with the navigation! And I was thrilled to have service at Zion also!
Kim says
Nik! I’ve missed your comments! I’m glad to “see” you.
TidyMom says
such a gorgeous place Kim!! and I love that the phone helped you out so much! What did we ever do with out smart phones? lol
JennyLynn says
I could have really used the “local Scout” on a recent trip to Dallas. My sister and I got lost trying to leave the airport and then once again trying to get to the hotel. Which she had already been to once, and checked everyone into.
Glad you are enjoying Utah. It really is a beautiful state. I love living here and take it for granted most of the time.
Kim says
Jenny Lynn, seriously, the local scout is getting worked overtime for me.
Amanda @ Serenity Now says
Beautiful photos! What a neat app! I haven’t done a whole lot of “exploring” with phone apps in new cities, but I do use my GPS app (which I love), and I downloaded a great NYC app last year too!
Kim says
Oh this would be PERFECT for NYC!
carolyn - homework says
I definitely need this. I’m always getting lost! LOL!
Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage says
So far I am old school…a map. 🙂 Yes I need a smart phone….going to have to look into this one! 🙂
Vivienne @ The V Spot says
What a gorgeous part of the country. (And how handy to be able to find your way around it.) 😉
Beverly {Flamingo Toes} says
Your trip sounds like so much fun!! I am always getting lost (especially on vacation) -that looks like such a cool phone feature! I’m seriously impressed that you had service too! 🙂
Laura @ House Of Joyful Noise says
My husband and I were JUST talking last night, about how we ever got along without our Smart Phones before! Not just to be in contact anytime, but to have so much help and answers at your fingertips. I could never go back in time, now. And thankfully, I don’t have to!
Natalie @ A Turtle's Life for Me says
Cool app! We were in the Poconos last weekend trying to find a new place and our GPS had us so lost, but the navigation on my phone got us there! Love your photos!
malia says
Wow Kim what a cool phone… I’d never seen that model before. It looks like it does tons of stuff. Really great photos too!
Karen - The Graphics Fairy says
Gorgeous photos, what a beautiful place!! I’m going to have to look into that phone for my aspie son, he’s been wanting to get a smart phone and this one looks like it has some handy features that would be easy for him to use!
Kim says
Karen, I think this phone is a very simple smart phone to use. Not a big learning curve. It would be perfect for your son.
Shannon at madiganmade says
Amazing photos and cool app, Kim. Looks like you had a good time!
Steph @ The Silly Pearl says
Beautiful photos! Glad you had the phone to help navigate your way around.
Becky Patterson says
Great photos from Zion Kim – looks like fun! We miss you 🙂
Johnnie says
HAHA! I love how honest and open your writing is! sorry about the wardrobe – at least it wasnt a black bra, you were wearing one right? 🙂
Love the pic of Jim on your phone shot! hopefully we will see you at the lake soon!
xo Johnnie
RookieMom Whitney says
Thanks for calling my attention to Local Scout! I hadn’t explored it much.
So nice to meet you at EVO, Kim!
Kim says
Thanks so much for the comment Whitney! So great to meet you and talk shop!