5. Las Vegas, Zion and Bryce Canyon.

Las Vegas, also known as Sin City is a neon oasis, full of life at all hours, amazing shows; everything is grand and over the top. Guns can be carried, smoking is allowed in the casinos, children wander with their parents amid the gaming tables, prostitution is legal and marijuana is legal and can be smelled everywhere.
We feel the city should be called Loss Vegas after seeing the opulence provided courtesy of the gamblers.

The iconic sign from 1959 sees visitors line up for "the photo".
Both looking good for 60!
Elvis Presley was even here with guitar ready to be included in the photo for a tip.
We gave him two tips: Lose weight and keep off the drugs. 

Excalibur.
People who think they can win against the casinos live in fantasy land. 

The famed strip, running about 6 km and full of life at all hours. 

Opulence of Caesar's Palace.
Takes playing with marbles to an entirely different level as to when we were kids. 

As with so many of the casinos we walked through, incredibly high domed ceilings and a painted sky give an impression of a bright sunny day right around the clock.
None of the casinos have any windows to the outside so sense of time is lost.  So too is common sense.
Here, at The Venetian, it is possible to ride a gondola from the inside right round the casino to the outside!

Natural Gas powered bus possibly being refuelled at the Trump Tower, Las Vegas.  

Incredible water show every 15 minutes with the computer controlled fountains dancing to whatever music is being played over loud loud-speakers.  

Paris has also come to Las Vegas. 

Time to leave the big lights and head out of town.

Our accommodation has varied considerably during our trip. 

Our modes of transport have also varied greatly. 

Zion National Park is a complete contrast back to the wild.  Again we had the chance of some brilliant hikes, but avoided the famed Angel's Landing climb which has had many deaths of hikers in recent years due to 1,000 foot falls.
It is worth viewing the YouTube of Angel's Landing climb by clicking on the attached link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jy6K0KoMrco
Three of our number did do the climb and lived to tell the tale.
The temperatures were very cold to start with and did not rise above freezing point until afternoon, allowing some incredible icicles along our river walk.

Starting off the day rather chilly.
The Aldi thermals did their job well!

The long and winding road, or track, up to Scout Lookout. 

One of the better tracks we have encountered.
Specially constructed awning for protection from rain, snow and avalanches. 

The sound of a rock fall sent us scurrying to the rock face for hopeful protection.
When the noise ended and nothing had passed us, we looked down into the valley to find the fall had been a few hundred feet below us; with dust from the fall kicked up.
Rolling stones not only gather no moss, but can be quite dangerous!!

Three of our number climbed another 300 feet up to Angel's Landing.
Not for the faint hearted. 

Another ten feet; added to the walk up 1,200 feet to Scout Lookout. 

Three chipmunks are less than two feet long.

Hanging a backpack in a shrub does not give security from chipmunks.
They anxiously crawled over our feet and legs in attempts to enter backpacks when we were sorting morning tea. 

All downhill from here; taking in the sights and engineering masterpiece.
Should have brought the skateboard. 

We then travelled by shuttle bus up to the top of the valley to the Riverside Walk, ending in The Narrows, which includes hiking in the Virgin River for a considerable distance.

Along the Riverside Walk, despite being two o'clock in the afternoon, icicles were still hanging off the rocks on the cliff.

Reminiscent of Jack London's "White Fang".

Folk walking upstream to the head of the gorge.
Waders and waterproof pants can be hired due to the water temperature of 9C. 

Icicles seeming to grow out of the moss.
Fortunately, falling icicles just missed the track.  

Mule deer contemplating venison being deer in restaurants. 

Fall in full swing.
We have fortunately avoided falls recently. 

.

Psalm 132: 13-14
For the Lord has chosen Zion, he has desired it for his dwelling, saying, 
"This is my resting place for ever and ever; here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it....."

Oh, those colours and formations!!!

Final panoramic view of the back of Zion National Park.

Bryce Canyon was different again.
Hoodoos; large weathered pinnacles or columns of rock formations, abounded.
We took a 1,000 foot walk down into the valley, again blown away by such incredible sights unlike anything we've ever seen before.

Tunnel vision of our small group.
A great way to see the sights in company of others without massive hordes.
Everywhere we go, we hear foreigners!

Wow!

Down into the depths of the valley.
Starting to decorate ready for Christmas. 

Switchbacks wind all the way down into the valley.

Not the place to own a lawn mowing business.
Vacuum cleaner salesmen would do well though!

More persistence in the tree growing out of rock.
Incredible determination over many years.

Several sisters

Countless Hoodoos

We also had the chance to see some sculptures by the greatest sculptor of all time.

Queen Victoria back in the day. 

Queen Victoria in the current day. 

Donald Trump
Caption ideas invited! 

The stars jump at the thought of what goes down must go up!

 It is next on to the Grand Canyon to see how it compares.
All these natural marvels are virtual neighbours within a day's drive of each other, however, are so completely different.

Trusting all are well!
Live life to the fullest, enjoy every moment.  Be eternally grateful for everything.
As the currency in the USA tells us...and money talks; "In God We Trust" 

Kindest regards, Don and Carrol.