Steve and I are truly square. I have been all my life, but did have a time as a youngster when I wasn't so much square as young and dumb.
We started this trip on the Las Vegas Strip. See above. Square = We don't gamble beyond friendly pinochle wagers, don't drink enough to qualify as social drinkers, and don't hire prostitutes. Why Vegas? I said yes when I should have said no to a Wyndham vacation presentation invitation. My rationales were that Steve wanted to see Vegas shows and we wanted to see the National Parks of the SouthWest.
For the record, we did not buy vacation credits from Wyndham. They didn't release us from sales prison in the promised two hours either, but instead deluged us with ever increasing torrents of pressure to buy for four hours. Since they controlled the transportation and the bribes, we were stuck.
We saw Shania Twain at Caesar's Palace. Superb. We attended Cirque du Soleil--Michael Jackson One. I would never classify myself as a Jackson fan, but the show was beyond superb with breathtaking acrobatics performed to Jackson's music.
We started this trip on the Las Vegas Strip. See above. Square = We don't gamble beyond friendly pinochle wagers, don't drink enough to qualify as social drinkers, and don't hire prostitutes. Why Vegas? I said yes when I should have said no to a Wyndham vacation presentation invitation. My rationales were that Steve wanted to see Vegas shows and we wanted to see the National Parks of the SouthWest.
For the record, we did not buy vacation credits from Wyndham. They didn't release us from sales prison in the promised two hours either, but instead deluged us with ever increasing torrents of pressure to buy for four hours. Since they controlled the transportation and the bribes, we were stuck.
We saw Shania Twain at Caesar's Palace. Superb. We attended Cirque du Soleil--Michael Jackson One. I would never classify myself as a Jackson fan, but the show was beyond superb with breathtaking acrobatics performed to Jackson's music.
We toured the Hoover Dam. That feat of engineering and construction was dam amazing. In spite of the dam heat, we enjoyed a dam nice day. Dam fascinating.
The Enchanting Canyonlands Tour was a Globus escorted bus tour. (See the square comment above. We enjoy touring and leaving the driving and the aggravation to them. I might not be the travel choice for everyone.)
For the record, there is a huge difference between knowing a location is desert and experiencing it. The difference between 75% humidity and 5% is more than 70 points. It is hair that doesn't frizz out of control, sweat that instantly evaporates, and beverages glasses that don't sweat. It's skin so dry it cracks, air so moistureless the nose bleeds, and uniquely different allergies. And cottonwood trees shedding white, fluffy tufts of pollen. And dust. And sand. And wild temperature swings from 40 to 100 degrees. Yes, it is desert, but it is mountainous desert ranges in many locations. The elevation at Bryce Canyon is 8,100 feet, meaningful when hiking and struggling for oxygen with Florida conditioned lungs.
Our first stop was the Grand Canyon, which didn't look anything like I envisioned and surpassed my wildest imagination. A California Condor in flight thrilled us, then fascinated us by perching on a ledge for a couple hours. A scampering chipmunk crossed our path as it hurried into the canyon, making me laugh with delight.
For the record, there is a huge difference between knowing a location is desert and experiencing it. The difference between 75% humidity and 5% is more than 70 points. It is hair that doesn't frizz out of control, sweat that instantly evaporates, and beverages glasses that don't sweat. It's skin so dry it cracks, air so moistureless the nose bleeds, and uniquely different allergies. And cottonwood trees shedding white, fluffy tufts of pollen. And dust. And sand. And wild temperature swings from 40 to 100 degrees. Yes, it is desert, but it is mountainous desert ranges in many locations. The elevation at Bryce Canyon is 8,100 feet, meaningful when hiking and struggling for oxygen with Florida conditioned lungs.
Our first stop was the Grand Canyon, which didn't look anything like I envisioned and surpassed my wildest imagination. A California Condor in flight thrilled us, then fascinated us by perching on a ledge for a couple hours. A scampering chipmunk crossed our path as it hurried into the canyon, making me laugh with delight.
Powell Lake was beautiful even though the water level is 79 feet low. A local resident told us the lake was rising a foot a day, thanks to the spring melt. The expectation, however, was that the drought will continue. Jack rabbits and cottontails abound. A highlight of this stop was a visit from a road runner, but no coyote was in sight.
Antelope Canyon Slot Tour was an extra excursion from the Powell Lake location. The petrified sand dunes were created by wind, water, and sand. The Navajo guide was both stoic and entertaining, encouraging us to loudly greet oncoming four-wheelers.
The Monument Valley mesas, buttes, pillars,and monoliths are strange, beautiful, and unique. If one remembers the old westerns such as Stage Coach (We watched it that evening in glorious black and white.), you might recognize the scenery. Our touring companion, Joel, pointed out that through the entire movie they kept circling the same monument--the one on the left, below.
Arches National Park claims 2,000 red limestone arches. To be classified as an arch, the opening must be a minimum of three feet high. Contemplating the effect of the elements on the eons old accumulation of sandstone puts out grain of time in this life into perspective.
Canyonlands National Park offers yet another spectacular view of red limestone monoliths and cliffs. I climbed to the top of the world, or so it seemed, stood on a big boulder, and was rewarded with a 360 degree view of the park. Steve, standing below, was not aware I stood in an 18 inch hole and was in no danger of falling.
Dead Horse Point State Park was named for a peninsula of land surrounded by the Colorado river. In the Nineteenth century, cowboys herded wild horses onto the area. They barricaded the exit, selected the best of the best, and left without releasing the remainder, who died of thirst while staring at the inaccessible river. So the story goes. It is another example of man's inhumanity.
Red Canyon in the Dixie National Forest was a bonus stop on our tour. The outstanding feature was the Hoodoos Trail, which winds around to view two hoodoos, which are solitary, narrow pillars that some believe have special magical power and meaning.
Bryce Canyon National Parkes was unique as compared with the earlier parks in that it was a relatively doable climb down into the monoliths and cliffs, albeit with many hairpin turns on the path. Being among the red sandstone cliffs was a far different feeling than looking down from on high. I felt small.
Zion National Park contains--so the tour director said-- the largest 100% sandstone monoliths in the country--world? universe? Great sandstone mountain abound with rock, crevices, shrubs, trees, and wildlife. We watched in fascination as deer nibbled on trees, squirrels posed for pictures, and a crow fed her young. Some views were reminiscent of the Smoky Mountains, especially the rocky Virgin River, which in Tennessee would be called a steam. The park is favored by climbers who sometimes sleep overnight during the climb, either stretching out on a cliff or stringing up hammock. I can't imagine.
The entire tour, save our aversion to Las Vegas, was tremendous. Please feel free to comment, add to my descriptions, or tell a tale.
GEB
GEB
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