Leaving Las Vegas

We spent three nights in Vegas and recklessly gambled away six dollars.  Mandalay Bay was as nice as I remembered, but we were impressed by some of the new hotels including Aria (we explored most of the hotels on the strip yesterday).  Cirque du Soleil's "O" at Bellagio was pretty spectacular, but next time we'll have to go in a different direction and catch Penn & Teller.

As a last hurrah we checked out Fremont street.  We didn't take many, but here are a few photos.  On to the Grand Canyon!

Darth Vader and a show girl waiting to cross the street

Zion Photo Dump

It's a few days late, but here is a post from Zion National Park. We were having too much fun in Vegas to post this sooner! Zion was amazing, and as you can see we had trouble narrowing down which photos to share. Enjoy!

Six people have died hiking Angel's Landing!

Scenery on the way up to Angel's landing.

There were a couple miles of switchbacks going straight up the side of the canyon for about 1400 feet.

View down into the canyon.

To get to the landing you have to hike the narrow ridge in the background.

Chilling at the top!

Still waiting on those angels...

360 degree views from the top of the ridge.

Living on the edge!

The highest point on top of Angels Landing.

Water falling into the lower Emerald Pools.

Angel's Landing is an exhausting hike!

Day two hike into Hidden Canyon.

Part of the trail is unmaintained and involves climbing over rocks.

Spotted a garter snake looking for food.

The three patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

All About Mormons

Going through Salt Lake City we made the obligatory stop at the famous Mormon Temple located right downtown.  Good thing Trey Parker and Matt Stone helped us out with what to expect.

The tabernacle

Large pipe organ

In front of the main temple

How you become a Latter-day saint

Entrance to the Joseph Smith Center

At the Genealogy center

With Joseph Smith

Inside the Joseph Smith Center lobby

The temple as viewed from floor 10 of the Joseph Smith Center

Across the street in the convention center

Myth Confirmed at Antelope Island!

Today we made a stop at Antelope Island on the Great Salt Lake to test the myth that you float better in really salty water. MYTH CONFIRMED.

The island is fascinating with small mountains, scrubby vegetation and free roaming antelope and bison. It is also buggy! Imagine a carpet of small flying insects on the shoreline and the top of the water. That is not an exaggeration. Enjoy the photos!

I highly recommend this stop to anyone visiting or passing through Salt Lake City!

 

Grand Teton

Grand Teton National Park was surprisingly strong: towering mountain ranges, waterfalls, and lakes (we even got a boat ride).  We woke up early from Yellowstone, broke down camp, and hit the road at about 7:30 giving us plenty of time to explore the Yellowstone's little brother to the south before coasting into Salt Lake City via South-Eastern Idaho's picturesque mountain passes.  Pictures follow.