Visiting the Zion National Park today, we drove through part of it yesterday but will have to go on the park shuttle today as cars aren't allowed in the other part of the park.
Had to park the car a mile or so away as the car parks were all full but we got a free shuttle bus to the entrance. We started off by going to the end of the shuttle bus route & will work our way back bit by bit. First walk is the riverside walk, the Virgin River runs through the park, which will make a change from the dry parks & canyons we've been to so far. It was a lovely walk & we stopped by the river several times & saw lots of squirrels,but they aren't as sweet as they look & we've been warned not to touch them as they bite! Also lots of lizards & very large yellow butterflies around. After about 2 hours we got back on the shuttle & off at Weeping Rock. This was only a half hour walk up to the rock which had water pouring down it & plants growing out of it. The shower from the rocks was lovely & cooling - its very hot again. The next stop was to go to the Emerald Pools & on the way we saw a deer only a few feet away from us, it was completely relaxed & not bothered by us at all, then other people came past, so we moved on. We could also hear the tree frogs, which sounded like sheep bleating! It was all a bit like jurassic park!
We rounded the day off with an icecream & got the bus back to pick up the car. Another good day.
Roy under the weeping rock
Day 36 - Las Vegas here we come! 20.05.12
Only got 130 miles to go today so didn't rush getting ready as we can't check in until 3.00pm.
So excited that we're going to VEGAS!!!!!!!!!!!
Lovely scenery on the way with many glimpses of the Virgin River in amongst the rugged rocks. We're going across a corner of Arizona & then into Nevada, where it will become flat & barren as it's in the desert.
After stopping for a milk shake we arrived at about 1.00pm. The roads were a bit hair raising as everyone's in a rush, so I didn't really look at the hotels on the way in. Roy is so good with his written instructions that we always get there in one piece despite my complete lack of direction!
We're staying at the Hotel Tropicana & we parked up & went for a little walk around it to get our bearings. It seems huge to us with shops, restaurants, the casino, a lovely outdoor pool & the lobby is really big. Then we saw some people queueing so decided to try our luck at checking in. The room was ready & on the 18th floor with views of the Luxor, Mandalay Bay & Excalibur hotels. Will be great at night looking out at all of the lights.
The hotel blurb did go on about how large the room was & the 300 thread egyptian cotton bedding - they were right, it is lovely & clean etc BUT no fridge or coffee maker. Never mind there's a Starbucks downstairs & loads of eating places so we won't starve!
We unpacked, then Roy realised he'd left something in the car so we were going to the carpark to get it when we bumped into - literally - Roy's daughters, Louise & Jennie!!!!!!!! We didn't realise it was them at first, what a shock. Their very kind Grandparents had paid for them to come over to surprise us & they're staying in the Excalibur!
We went up to our hotel room & then walked over to the MGM hotel as they've got tickets to go to an award show with Justin Beiber in it. When we eventually got out of the the hotel (we got lost!) we walked up & down the strip for a couple of hours. It's amazing but my feet were throbbing - it's 103 degrees!
Went back to the hotel to iron some clothes then met Louise & Jennie & went to Denny's for some food.
What a day!!!!!!!!!!
Day 37 - Las Vegas 21.05.12
Slept very well considering where we are & went to the Beach Cafe in the hotel for breakfast.
We've decided to have a few hours relaxing at the pool before we go out. The pool is great, good sunbeds & big towels, loud music so we found a nice spot under the trees where it was a bit quieter so we could read.
We took Louise & Jennie to In N Out, a burger place then dropped them off by the shops & took the car back to the hotel. Decided to walk down to The Venetian Hotel which really is huge. It's got a real canal with gondolas on it running all through the lovely shopping area. Way out of our league as they're all designer shops, but it's nice to look around.
Bought tickets for a show called 'Legends' for tomorrow night at Hurrah's. Walked around for a bit more & bumped into the girls again so went to see their hotel room.
Bought pizza for tea, too tired to go out again! It's been 104 degrees all day, when you walk outside it's like standing in front of the oven when it's on!
Day 38 - Las Vegas 22.05.12
Slept really well, not surprising considering how far we walked yesterday. Met the girls in Starbucks & had breakfast then set off for a drive to the Hoover Dam. Spent the morning there, then back to the hotel pool for the afternoon. Need to rest before that mega walk to Hurrah's later.
Set off at 5.00pm as it's almost an hours walk & we have to get our tickets at 6.00pm. So hot when we got there so we had a beer before the show. Look & sound alikes, Michael Jackson, Tina Turner, Lady Gaga, The Blues Brothers & Elvis. They were all very good & the band, singers & dancers were good too.
Really glad we went to the show. The only thing I did wrong was put on my strappy sandals! We met the girls in the Venetian & went to Panda Express for some food then walked back via the Ballagio to see the fountain display. By the time we got back my feet were in agony & I was exhausted, Vegas is so tiring!
Day 39 - Las Vegas 23.05.12
Last full day here &, thankfully, my feet have recovered from last night with the aid of a good nights sleep & a shower! Had breakfast & explored the hotel a bit more before going to the pool. Decided to have a turkey dinner at the restaurant then took the girls back to the shops to take something back & carried on up to the Stratosphere. That area is very run down & we're glad we changed our mind & went for the Tropicana as we were going to stay at the Stratosphere originally. Thought we'd go up the tower but it looked so tatty & would have cost $64 without any rides that we decided to go back to Excalibur, have a drink & put some money in the machines.
Didn't have the first clue about what to do but somehow won $20.60! Jennie also won $20 but I'm sure that was due to skill! Back for our last night in Vegas.
* I would just like to say if you are planning a trip to Las Vegas the hotel we stayed in is great, good, helpful staff, nice rooms & above all not too big. We managed not to get lost in it but did get lost in several others.
* Also a warning, there are many men & women trying to hand you cards with ladies wearing very little clothing as you walk down the street, sometimes 4 or 5 of them all on the same corner, it's horrible & the best way is not to look at them, the streets are littered with these cards.
*There are many homeless people on the streets & again the best thing is not to look at them. It's heartbreaking to see them but you won't be able to help them all. Give to the people collecting for the homeless rather than the homeless themselves.
Is Elvis happy in his job do you think?
Day 40 - Las Vegas - Los Angeles 24.05.12
Sad to leave this great place but need a rest! We've got a 260 mile drive ahead of us & have got to squeeze in 2 more people & their luggage. Set off at 9.00am & drove for 4 hours before stopping for lunch , girls In N Out, us a sandwich from a petrol station. As we got closer to LA the roads got busier, faster & wider. We dropped the girls off at their hotel, Marina del Rey International & carried on to ours, the Doubletree Hilton. As well as the cost of the room we also have to pay $15 a day for the priviledge of parking there & they want $15 a day for us to have wi fi - so we're not! Also no free breakfast. Saying that it's quite a nice hotel & there's a diner over the road recommended by Louise so we'll try that.
We unpacked then went into Santa Monica to meet the girls. Unfortunately we've never been there before so it was a bit stressful finding somewhere to park & then coordinating where to meet. Did it in the end & went to an English restaurant for some 'proper' grub! I had shepherd pie & Roy had steak & kidney pie, lovely.
Day 41 - Los Angeles 25.05.12
Louise's last day here & she's meeting her friend for a few hours. Went to the diner for breakfast then picked Jennie up & drove to Hollywood via Mulholland Drive. Stopped off to take pics of THE sign & actually found a parking space in a side street in Hollywood near to the main streets.
We all had a walk up & down the street over the stars on the pavement, went for a drink & cake then bought some souvenirs. Louise came to meet us as her friend dropped her off & we drove into Beverley Hills & saw some of the lovely houses there & had our pics taken by the sign.
Decided to drive back to Santa Monica along the Pacific Highway & on to Malibu. Stopped for a KFC & then walked on Zuma beach, apparantly Gwen Steffani goes there & named her son after it! It's a great beach but it was so cold & windy at that time of night - Louise & Jennie still paddled in the sea! MAD!
It's much cooler tonight, the temperatures haven't been anywhere near what they were in Vegas.
Day 42 - Los Angeles 26.05.12
Dinah's for breakfast then went to pick up Louise to take her to the airport & Jennie as she's moving into a hostel for a few days. Sad to say goodbye to Louise, but she got her flight ok. The 3 of us drove into Santa Monica & parked by the beach. We had a stroll up & down Venice Beach, which was an eyeopener. Lots of craft stalls, gift shops, musicians, beggars & people openly inviting you to go to see the 'doctor' to buy weed! A great experience & we heard a fabulous electric violin player with a drummer & guitarist. Roy bought his CD! Bought some souvenirs - not weed! - & went for a paddle in the Pacific. The 3 of us went to 'Bubba Gump' for tea & had a real meal! Afterwards we took Jennie to the hostel & went back to our hotel.
Day 43 - Los Angeles 27.05.12
Our last day in LA, Jennie is staying for a few more days before going home to Vancouver.
Have booked a VIP tour of Warner Brother Studios so drove there, bought some souvenirs & went off on our tour with our guide, Justin.
It was very interesting & we saw some tv programme sets such as 2 & 1/2 Men, The Mentalist & The Ellen Degeneres Show & sat in the audience seats. Also Justin told us how it all works with the production of films & shows booking areas & dressing them to film their programmes or films & loads of really interesting stuff that completely shattered my illusions! We went into the Friends cafe, Central Perk, saw the property department & some famous cars from shows & films before going into the museum of costumes & props from Harry Potter, Where the Wild Things are & lots more. Clint Eastwood actually has an office there but, I asked, & he wasn't there as it was Sunday!
Another good day, then we went back to Santa Monica & had a sit on the beach, a walk on the pier & a walk around the shopping area before heading back.
Have enjoyed the places we've been but LA is too busy for me, especially when you have to drive anywhere, 6 lanes each way!
Louise, Roy & Jennie with Santa Monica pier in the background
Sorry it's so long, hope you enjoy it.
TTFN xxx
