04-16-2013 Bryce Canyon Snow

The second day we were at Bryce Canyon it snowed.

 It made everything clean looking a very pretty.  But it was pretty chilly, 17 degrees.

Mocha and Bandit were not very impressed.  Even though they had their coats on they don't particularly like the cold white stuff.

 

I had a little fun in the snow building this pathetic looking snow man. 

After sitting in the camper for a full day we just had to get out.  So in spite of the blowing snow showers and the wind we bundled up and went hiking.  Bryce Canyon National Park was totally different after the snow.  What a magnificent change.

 

 

 

 

We decided to go for the "I hiked the Hoodoos" award.  This requires hiking three different trails and taking a picture of a placard along the way.  When you go back to the visitor center show the rangers the picture they give you a reward.

So we trudged around on the muddy/snowy trails and got out pictures.

 

 

It included a hike in the lower part of the canyon past this waterfall that is swollen from runoff.

And at the end of the day, pop cycle like, we went to the visitor center and collected a very nice pin for our efforts.

Bryce Canyon National Park 04-15-2013

We are making a quick stop at Bryce Canyon National Park.  The road up had some low arches, advertised 13' 6".  We had to do some gymnastics to get our 13' 8" RV through them.

The canyon is very beautiful. 

There is still some snow around, we are pretty high up at 8000 feet. 

Another storm is forecast for Wednesday, we will see what it brings.  We did a little motorcycle riding on the forest roads behind the campground.  We came across some Antelope.  Hadn't seen any of these in quite a while. 

Still enough snow around, the ride was very cool.  We ran through some runoff from time to time.

I wish I had the other camera with me.  These little prairie dogs came out to watch us and make sure we didn't disturb their turf.

Zion National Park 04-08-2013

We spent a week in the area of St. George, Utah, Zion National Park, and Sand Hill State Park.  I got to meet the founder of www.xt225.com, we did a little motorcycle ride together.  

The area was very pretty.  There was a snow storm north of us while we were there, it put some nice icing on the mountains behind our campground.

Jennie and Scott showed us a local climbing area, Chuckwalla, we took the dogs.  Bandit of course got the full "I a little black dog in the hot desert" treatment.

Mocha had to go and stick her nose somewhere near the campground. 

We did eventually get into Zion National Park.

Very pretty, it was difficult to take pictures of because it is so big. 

We took the motorcycles through the tunnel to the east side lookout.  They wouldn't let the truck go through the tunnel. The lookout was very nice.

 

 

We also took a little side ride up to the Kolob Reservoir area. 

We found some more awe inspiring scenery.

Valley of Fire 04-03-13

 

We stopped at the Valley of Fire State Park.   Very pretty place.

 

 

 

Lots of pretty colors.

 

 

 

We did a little hiking in the area and found "The Wave", BR just had to jump in.

 

Bandit got his workout for the day.   Poor little guy just doesn't do well in the hot sun. 

 

We went to an OHV area and did some motorcycle riding.  Too sandy for us. 

 

It was still a pretty area to ride in.

 

We got the feeling we were being watched.   

Red Rock Canyon

About 20 miles west of Las Vegas is the Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area.  We went out there just to view the awesome red rock and cliffs. 

What we found was a very developed Rock Climbing area.  After scrambling around the rocks on our first trip we came back with climbing gear and a guidebook. 

This area is so diverse in its climbing that expert climbers would be challenged, but since we are basically beginners we found some routes that seemed to be tailor made for us. 

Our first climb was a little 5.3.  It was set up as an easy teaching climb for traditional lead instruction.  At the top is natural cracks that are ideal for setting up anchors for top rope belay. Here is Barbara with her anchor.  We used it as a back up anchor to mine and also as a tag rope anchor so I could set the other anchor further down the climb and reduce rope wear.

We then moved over to a 5.5 that was set up as a sport route.  It had 4 sport anchors on it.  Barbara chose to attempt a sport lead.  No top rope, if she falls it will be to the anchor below her, sometimes as much as 30 feet. 

Once at the top she quickly set up a top rope.

After rappelling down it was my turn to climb, I had the security of the top rope during my climb.

During my climb a Chuckwalla lizard made his appearance to check out the silly folks on the rock.

Our third climb was little tougher.  I walked around and set up a top rope from some anchors.  It was getting late so I belayed Barbara from the top and she climbed out of the canyon.  It's amazing how much harder it is to climb when you are hot and tired. 
We called it a day and wished we had more time.  I think we will go back to this place.  You can't beat fun and beautiful.

This last shot you can just barely make out Las Vegas in the background.

03-30-13 Las Vegas

After heading out of the Grand Canyon we drove into Las Vegas.  We stayed at the Circus Circus KOA campground in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip. 

We walked and walked along the strip.  At first it is very overwhelming, all the lights and all the people.  It takes a little getting used to.  Then you start to find you way around.

Each of the Casinos are little cities in themselves.  Parking is terrible.  Really good transportation system for folks that fly in and stay at one of the casinos.  We went to a show in the Caesars Palace Casino.  Very well done.  We couldn't get tickets for the more expensive shows, all sold out.

It was fun for us just to wonder up and down the strip.  Some of these theme casinos are amazing.

 

The interior decorations in the casinos is quite the sight also.  Lavish is the word that comes to mind.  Here is a shot from inside Caesars.

It's amazing how they can get the ceiling to look like a real sky.  Of course the sun goes down outside and then the strip really lights up.

We went down to the "old" Vegas area, Freemont Street.  Just had to check out the Freemont Experience.  They made a big light dome 3 blocks long and showed videos in the light domes.  They had free bands playing at intervals along the way.

Anyone recognize this old fellow?

Knowing a little more about the place now we may go back.  But if we do, we will check out the shows a month in advance of our arrival and get tickets beforehand.  Waiting until the day of the show just didn't work.