Saturday 24 November - Bryce Canyon to Grand Junction

Today was Alison's turn to drive so this morning Philip announced that the journey would be taking a different path to the Google Maps plan that Alison had been studying! After a great cooked breakfast at the Best Western Bryce Canyon Grand (naming it to highly recommend it to anyone else who might visit this area), we headed off along Utah Scenic Byway 12 towards Escalante, Torrey and Green River where we would rejoin the interstate highway. We were so pleased that we made this decision as the landscape once again left us in awe to the point where Jenny would comment about another vista that she had spotted and Philip would respond with "I'm blasé about that - been there seen that!" But truly how do you respond when you keep being presented with vistas like this.

This drive which took us through Capitol Reef National Park was wonderful. One minute we would be driving through Canyons and then through pasture land until suddenly once again we would drop down into another area of canyons or as we approached the interstate highway a lunar landscape that reminded one of mining tailings.

We drove to points over 9,000 feet with aspen and fir trees all around and snow on the cooler areas but clear roads. For those of you who worked with Philip in early days of the MSS Project, you might remember the significance of Ponderosa. Below you will see Philip with Ponderosa pines in the background.

We all agree that one of the highlights of the day was to see petroglyphs carved by the people of the Fremont culture. Check this link:
http://www.nps.gov/care/historyculture/fremont.htm

We arrived safely in Grand Junction after 5.00pm, enjoyed dinner at a Denny's Restaurant beside our motel and then were able to talk with Jessica via FaceTime. How lucky are we to be able to be so far from home but be able to talk with loved ones face to face including our pets!

Friday 23 November - Zion Canyon to Bryce Canyon

We are slowly working our way north and east across the US. Couldn't believe it this morning on check out when the fellow who served Philip and who has never visited Australia announced that he was an Aussie Rules fan and supported St Kilda and also followed the Gold Coast Suns. Fortified by a hot breakfast this morning including a tailor made omelette for Philip, we drove back into Zion NP and headed along the scenic road which runs up the bottom of the canyon. Magnificent vistas along the way being lit up by the morning sun. Alison managed to fall down a slope near the creek but only hurt her trousers and pride! After sighting some deer on the road and some intrepid souls walking a very steep track up one of the rock faces we decided to head out of Zion towards our next destination. Philip who was driving scored the luckiest break of all - there was a car towing a large trailer ahead of us at the Zion Tunnel and they must have paid the "one way only fee" so he didn't have to worry about hugging the centre line.

The drive to Bryce once again had us all marvelling at the different landscapes that this area of the USA presents. Praise God for such a beautiful creation. Early afternoon saw us booked into our hotel and heading into Bryce Canyon National Park. Jenny was over the moon as there was a reasonable amount of snow on the ground and rock faces especially as we headed up into the park and reached our highest point of some 9115 feet (2778 m) at Rainbow Point.

Philip struck up a conversation with a local from Salt lake City at the overlook. It was his first visit to Bryce but he had visited the Gold Coast and Byron Bay to surf. Jenny wanted to make snow angels but had to make do with throwing a snow ball at Philip.

One of the overlooks was called Piracy Point and Philip insisted on wearing his Pirates of the Carribean Johnny Depp hat for the occasion. A little girl walking towards him as he left Piracy Point, exclaimed "an indian" and she had to be corrected by her dad - "No that's a pirate."

With all our driving, we only spotted one bear!

Thanksgiving - Thursday 22 November - Grand Canyon to Zion Canyon

Started the day by returning to the Grand Canyon South Rim to see how different things looked with the morning light. Not many people had started the day so it was wonderful to look at the majesty of the canyon without the noise of others. After we had our fill, we headed along the South Rim road heading to the east and stopped at a few overlooks (note not lookouts) to catch a different perspective. Then into Desert View for a visit to the Watchtower.

With many more pictures on our memory cards both camera and human and Jenny having purchased a Dream Catcher, we headed off away from the Canyon and to the north across the Painted Desert. The changing landscape reminded us all of the many facets of God's creation and how beautiful they are.

Probably the highlight for us was our stop at the Navajo Bridge across the Colorado River on the road to Kanab where we were able to have a very close encounter with a Californian Condor. Only his mother could really love him!!!!!

Alison had taken on the driving just before this and was having fun with me telling her to move away from the road edge - just what she had done to me on my first day! We headed across a changing landscape of rocky cliffs, mesas, scree slopes and incredible colours from white through pink to red until we finally reached the towering cliffs of Zion NP. Someone had said to us at the Grand Canyon - you think this is great as you look down, wait until you get to Zion and have to look up. Part of the entry drive to the park is through a mile long two lane tunnel carved through a mountain. Alison enjoyed that part of the drive - NOT!

This view looks back up to where the tunnel cuts through the mountain and you can see an opening which is one of the "windows" cut into the outside tunnel wall.

Wednesday 21 November - Vegas to Grand Canyon

This morning started not so well for one member of the party. Philip woke up and needed to give back last night's dinner in more than one way!!! Strange how things run in the family last time Jessica ate at Excalibur she ended up in day hospital. At least Philip was able to get his act together and drive to Tusayan AZ.  A highlight along the way was the diversion down to the Hoover Dam and drive across the dam wall from Nevada into Arizona. Lost an hour in time doing that as a result of different time zones.

The trip was uneventful and the speed limit of 75mph in Arizona certainly helped us reach our destination in good time. Arrived at our motel at about 2.30pm and unloaded and that then gave us plenty of time to watch the changing colours of the Grand Canyon as the afternoon set in.

Much to Jenny's disappointment the only animals that we spotted on the way into and out of the Park were elk - no bears.
We have had a sumptuous dinner at McDonalds and now settling in for the night at Best Western Premier Grand Canyon Squire Inn as the temperature outside drops. We are about 6,500 feet above sea level.

Tuesday 20 November - Las Vegas

Off to the cheap ticket outlet in time for opening at 10.00am this morning hoping to get tickets to Human Nature but alas either none available or the previous night was their last show. So we settled for our second choice of Australian Bee Gees Tribute show which is just across the road at Excalibur. Breezed through New York New York and into Excalibur to purchase the bargain buffet deal - $35 each and allowed to eat all day at both Excalibur or Luxor. So late breakfast and then to souvenir shopping before late lunch!

A digression from the road trip to say that we had a lovely FaceTime session with Jessica and the dogs last night and Patch was very vocal but I have to add the photo below to show how relaxed at least one of the boys is while we are away.

Meanwhile Alison and Philip have had great trouble keeping Jenny under control as she has been chasing all manner of men today including firstly two cast members from Thunder Down Under - she can publish details and photos of that encounter. This afternoon she accosted a security card for a quickie - picture that is!

This afternoon Alison and Philip gave the Navman a workout and finally convinced it that there are more states in the USA than California. Hopefully we will now be able to navigate to Tusayan in Arizona tomorrow.

Now heading off to dinner at the Excalibur Buffet before the Bee Gees show. Show was great - the three guys looked the parts of Maurice, Robin and Barry and sang well for pommies backed up by Australian drummer and guitarist.

We all need to get a good night's sleep so we can get away by 8.30am for our long drive to Tusayan and the Grand Canyon South Rim.

Monday 19 November - Las Vegas

Slept in this morning. Jenny collected her winnings from her spree on the Breakfast at Tiffany's slot machine on Sunday afternoon.

Headed across the road bridge to Excalibur and breakfast of hot cinnamon scrolls and coffee. Continued the walk through covered areas and moving walkways to the Luxor where we marvelled at the lobby inside the pyramid then through more walkways to Mandalay Bay but ended up not paying to see the shark aquarium as we have done that type of thing at home. Alison stopped along the way for a Men at Work Show!

Jenny headed back to the Tropicana while Alison and Philip went in search of an optometrist to see if Philip's sunglasses could be repaired. Had been told that there was a business like Spec-Savers in the Las Vegas Fashion Mall so headed there on foot. For those of you who know the LA Strip that is some distance - past Treasure Island. Glasses now repaired and safely housed in a super duper hard case, managed to buy a universal camera battery charger as well so now Alison will be able to shoot to her heart's content with our little Pentax camera. Could not face the long walk back to Tropicana so took a cab with the nicest driver who actually was from Thailand.

Now back from our first Las Vegas show experience. Las Vegas the Show - highly enjoyable. Another watch of the Bellagio fountains and n ow back at the hotel enjoying supper.

Sunday 18 November 2012 - Las Vegas

Safe exit from LA this morning with only one spat between Philip and Alison over which ramp to use to get to the freeway. Ended up heading the wrong way for a while but all was redeemed with a circuit of the Angels Stadium. One detour due to roadworks on an off-ramp on the outskirts of LA but we managed to follow the signs and get back on track. The navigator was no help as it would not recognise any location outside of California!!! We had printed off a set of directions from Google Maps and that was perfect to get us to the hotel. So we are now safely parked and have transferred our luggage to our rooms. On the 8th floor of the Club Tower but looking to the airport not the strip. Heading off now to have late lunch at 4.07pm!!!!

Thought that we might swap our Ford Escape for the Pink Cadillac! Dined in the Food Court at MGM Gand and then Jenny returned to the Tropicana while Alison and Philip did the walk down the Strip as far as the Bellagio and watched the fountains dance at 7.30pm. Then back to a ticket outlet and purchased tickets for Las Vegas the Show for tomorrow evening.