Step 1: Drive to Denver. OK, tonight's goal: St. George, Utah
6 a.m. came early this morning, but we were ready to hit the road! We wanted to beat the traffic.
Obsessive planning called for breakfast at Carrows in Barstow at 8 a.m.
Well, the Carrows is now Coco's, and eagle-eye Jerry spotted a cafe with a full parking lot. Always a good sign. Yummy breakfast.
We were headed for Las Vegas by 9:30 a.m.
11:00 a.m. 91 degrees
Using Trip Advisor really worked it. It found this "Red Rock Canyon Nature Conservancy" just 15 miles west of Las Vegas.
We picked up a sandwich and salad at Food 4 Less in Las Vegas, and headed out on Blue Diamond Road.
Too bad the GPS had never heard of it. A half hour of driving in the blank got us here.
Here's a picture of Jerry taking pictures. teehee
The plan was to drive the 13-mile scenic drive, and stop along the way for a picnic lunch.
I was hoping for a little shade, but not to be.
The cooler in the back seat kept my walnut and cranberry salad cold. It turned out to be pretty yummy. A banana topped it off.
Jerry got a Coke bath when he opened his Coke.
Elevation was about 4,500 feet.
We looked for bighorn sheep, and burros, but didn't find either.
But some interesting plants.
Lots of places to hike, if you like HOT.
It took us longer than the estimated 35 minutes, but we drove the loop.
2:30 p.m. we headed back around to the freeway and Mesquite.
Set the GPS for DQ. Should get there about 4.
I have a "thing" about Mesquite. Last year I got heat stroke there. I was better prepared this year, but it was still 104 degrees. Options: inside car with A/C running or inside DQ with A/C.
We made reservations at Best Western in St. George (the "less expensive" place was full), and filled with gas.
Somehow it was 6:00 by the time we left there. Oh, the time changed!
A beautiful drive through Virgin River Canyon,
made the 40 mile drive go by quickly.
We checked into to our hotel at St. George. This is
what we found. That's a king bed and a spa tub.
After sitting by the outdoor pool (with waterfall) for awhile, we decided on a quick dinner, and an adventure to try to find the Dixie Overlook Trail.
Jerry had heard about a pulled pork sandwich at Burger King, and I had apple and carrots from my stash.
Jerry asked directions, and this is what we found at 8:47 p.m. local time. That's Zion National Park in the distance, St. George down below.
It quickly got too dark to take many pictures, but what a fun place to explore! It's called Pioneer Park.
Fun with silhouettes.Do you suppose this is the Boy Scout Cave?
Here's what's inside...
And then the lights came on...
D for Dixie
The temperature is finally dropping.
I liked the little loop at the top.
Decided to make reservations at our favorite place in Green River for tomorrow night. Not available online, but Jerry called direct and got them.
A really fun day!
No comments:
Post a Comment