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Drive Electric
Earth Month
April 27, 2025

Mark D Larsen

Years ago, when I had my LEAF, I volunteered to display it at the Earth Day celebrations for Springdale and Zion National Park in 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017. Years later, when I had my Model 3, in 2019, 2022, and 2023 I attended Earth Day EV’ents in Las Vegas. And in 2024 I joined in the Earth Month gathering in Torrey, Utah.
This year, however, I decided to again apply to participate in the Earth Month celebration in Springdale and Zion National Park, designated the “Zion Chalk and Earth Festival.” Like in those early years with my LEAF, I knew that Rocinante would be the only EV on display, but I also knew from experience that I would be able to actively chat with many more attendees about the features and benefits of driving on electricity. I submitted a proposal to set up an educational display at the Festival, and was delighted that the organizers approved my application and agreed to designate a space for me at the Zion Canyon Village near the entrance to the Park. Their instructions stated that I would need to arrive there by 8:00 AM to set up my booth by no later than 10:00. The Festival would then begin at 11:00 and last until 5:00. This would mean that I would have to leave a little after 6:00 in the morning, as it takes an hour and 15 minutes to drive from our home to the Park entrance. Y-a-w-n…!

NOTE: You can click on the following photos to enlarge them and the movies to play them.

Having charged to 100% for the journey, when Moxie and I got in the car, the display guessed a full range of 387 miles.

While leaving St. George, the morning light started to dawn in the east with scattered clouds.

Still sleepy from getting up so early, Moxie snuggled up in her seat to take a nap.

When we turned onto the highway to Zion, the horizon was getting brighter.

Here's my typical introductory video to describe where we were and where we were going.

I recorded this video while approaching Virgin with a few of the peaks in Zion on the horizon. Don't mind the pauses and wobbly camera while I was lowering the cruise control speeds as we entered the town.

Here are some of the peaks on the south side of the highway.

And here are more of them straight ahead as we approach Zion.

I pulled over into the first parking lot in Springdale to take some photos of the views.

Moxie now woke up, sensing that we were getting closer to the National Park.

We arrived at Zion Canyon Village after the predicted hour and 15 minutes of driving. The guess-o-meter still showed 305 miles of range with 85% left in the battery.

I parked in the lot and texted the organizer who would show me the spot where I could set up. After a few minutes, she arrived and directed me to a prime space on the walkway by the Village shops.

Here is the spot, with my canopy, table, and chairs set up and ready to receive attendees. You can see an even better view of it in the photo at the top of the page. Like I had done for National Drive Electric Month last fall in Las Vegas, I connected my V2L adapter to use my popcorn popper and offer free popcorn for those who stopped by my booth.

Moxie was the center of attention in her camping chair. I think more passerby were smitten with her than were interested in learning about electric cars!

This a view of my booth looking toward the southeast end of the Park.

And this view is looking toward the northeast. Zion is such a striking natural wonder!

I took this video after packing up the booth while driving back home.

When we got in the car to leave, I noted that popping popcorn all day with my V2L adapter had reduced the range to 291 miles.

I arrived home with a 230-mile guess’timate and 65% still in the battery. Obviously, I didn't really need to charge to 100% that morning, for 80% would have more than sufficed for the 100.2 mile round trip.

I was very happy to have again celebrated Earth Day in such a gorgeous corner of the earth. I enjoyed chatting with the attendees who stopped to inquire about Rocinante and ask the usual questions: “How far can it go?” “How long does it take to charge?” “What does it cost to charge it?” “You can run appliances like that popcorn popper using the car’s battery?” I have to admit that I was disconcerted to hear from some attendees how truly uninformed they are about renewables and EVs, often regurgitating the petrolganda spread far and wide by the fossil fools. I just hope I managed to dispel such myths, persuade some of them to go take a test drive in an EV, and consider getting rid of their tailpipes.

Having charged to 100% for the journey, when Moxie and I got in the car, the display guessed a full range of 387 miles.	While leaving St. George, the morning light started to dawn in the east with scattered clouds.
Still sleepy from getting up so early, Moxie snuggled up in her seat to take a nap.	When we turned onto the highway to Zion, the horizon was getting brighter.
Here's my typical introductory video to describe where we were and where we were going.
I recorded this video while approaching Virgin with a few of the peaks in Zion on the horizon. Don't mind the pauses and wobbly camera while I was lowering the cruise control speeds as we entered the town.
Here are some of the peaks on the south side of the highway.	And here are more of them straight ahead as we approach Zion.
I pulled over into the first parking lot in Springdale to take some photos of the views.	Moxie now woke up, sensing that we were getting closer to the National Park.
We arrived at Zion Canyon Village after the predicted hour and 15 minutes of driving. The guess-o-meter still showed 305 miles of range with 85% left in the battery.	I parked in the lot and texted the organizer who would show me the spot where I could set up. After a few minutes, she arrived and directed me to a prime space on the walkway by the Village shops.
Here is the spot, with my canopy, table, and chairs set up and ready to receive attendees. You can see an even better view of it in the photo at the top of the page. Like I had done for National Drive Electric Month last fall in Las Vegas, I connected my V2L adapter to use my popcorn popper and offer free popcorn for those who stopped by my booth.	Moxie was the center of attention in her camping chair. I think more passerby were smitten with her than were interested in learning about electric cars!
This a view of my booth looking toward the southeast end of the Park.	And this view is looking toward the northeast. Zion is such a striking natural wonder!
I took this video after packing up the booth while driving back home.
When we got in the car to leave, I noted that popping popcorn all day with my V2L adapter had reduced the range to 291 miles.	I arrived home with a 230-mile guess’timate and 65% still in the battery. Obviously, I didn't really need to charge to 100% that morning, for 80% would have more than sufficed for the 100.2 mile round trip.