Oct. 4, 5 & 6,
2011
Again we are thankful for the GPS getting out of the
San Francisco area and all the highways and byways.
Our new digital friend “Roger” who can often be irritating, tells us exactly where to go otherwise we would be screaming at each other, lost, heading in the wrong direction and probably just about ready for a divorce or ready to end our trip.
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| road to Las Vegas |
Once out of Marin County and up and around the Bay Area we crossed over the Bay Bridge and onto the long straight road, south on Hwy 5 toward Las Vegas. Can’t say too much about the scenery other than we passed miles and miles of fruit trees and various vegetables in the San Quaquin Valley
The clouds hung in the sky like an art gallery with the sun casting shadows and spotlights.
To the right was an old man looking up to the heavens, over to the left was a painted lady on a galloping, white stallion, her hair flowing in the wind.
There was a fox ready to pounce.
And everyone’s favorite- The Michelin marshmallow man waving hello.
Of course Jeff couldn’t see any of this!
Especially the colors.
Oh well, I was entertained.
I love clouds.
We made it as far as
Bakersfield, Ca.
Stayed at the fanciest, most accommodating, cleanest, RV Resort we have ever stayed at.
Had a nice happy hour and we had a huge, inexpensive breakfast before we left the next morning.
On the road again the terrain changed to desert and rolling hills with strange cactus type trees.
We would have stopped at the Mojave Desert or Hoover Dam, but unfortunately it was raining again so we’ll have to leave that for another trip, another time.
We don’t go backwards, only forward!
I thought the last road was long and straight. Wow the road into Las Vegas was even more so. One RV park was about 6 miles outside of the strip and one right on the strip at Circus Circus so we decided to check in there so we could walk right in.
Well I won’t go on too long here as it was just as we expected. Pretty sad how all those people can just sit there and dump their money in those machines. You can’t even get a thrill pulling the lever as they are all automated now. So we aren’t gamblers! Had some dinner, saw a very short rope acrobatic act with live music, looked at the tacky shops, checked out the lights on the strip, lost about $2.75 and can now say we’ve been to Las Vegas. I know some people love it but I couldn’t even find a show I really wanted to see.
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| Now thats a sculpture |
So off we went in the morning, headed for
Zion Park and
Bryce Canyon.
Leaving
Las Vegas was more spectacular than being there.
The mountains in every direction were awesome.
Then we entered The Virgin River Canyon which was like entering a cave with no roof.
The road snaked through the canyon with red mountains and buttes right there next to the road.
Beautiful.
I just love how the land changes.
God’s Hand.
After leaving
Nevada, going through the Northern tip of
Arizona and then into
Utah we came to St. George where we decided to get some info on
Zion, Bryce and
Grand Canyons.
We stayed in a great little park with palm trees and backed right up to cliffs of red rocks.
St. George has become an extremely popular retirement area for folks from all over America because of the ideal weather, outdoor activities, 12 golf courses and wonderful terrain. The annual Huntsman Senior Olympic games were taking place with over 10,000 participants with a myriad of events.. Decide to look at some properties and actually found a really nice resale of a open southwest style home with waterfall in backyard and several outdoor gas firepits. The views were astounding with mountains in all directions.
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| St. George Utah, Mormon Temple |
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| RV Park owner's home |
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| Neat Round About near Snow Canyon |
We had some time to kill until the park was opened after the Senior events were over and visited several wonderful homes in a golf community. We also happened upon a open house of a great 3 bed 3 bath resale. This home came fully and nicely furnished, with waterfall and pond, several outside entertainment areas with gas heating logs. Asking price $465,000. Jeff and I have fallen in love with southwest design and motif and could see owning one some day.
There is so much to see in
Snow Canyon,
Zion,
Monument Park,
Bryce Canyons, the
Grand Canyon to mention just a few.
Need a good night’s rest and a prayer for good weather.
Can’t wait for tomorrow.
Snow Canyon outside St George
This is the State Park is the site of a large volcano with lava caves and mound all around.
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| Lava Cave |
