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...when he created Zion National Park. It's truly spectacular. I'm sitting on the balcony right now watching the last glimpses of sunlight fade from the red rocks soaring above - the beauty is almost unearthly.
We started the morning out with our regular 45 minute power walk...on the Vegas strip. If you think it's tawdry at night, wait until you see it at 6:30 in the morning. On the way out through the casino you catch the few all nighters who are determined to win back their fortune..and the couple of guys still falling off the bar stools. You can see how the economy has affected Vegas - construction on the big high rises on the strip has stopped totally, and at the Bette Midler show last night we got a complimentary upgrade to our seats since they didn't want the audience to look sparse - the theater was about 3/4 filled. The Divine Miss M was just that - funny, raunchy, wild, and great singing and dancing. It was a true Vegas show - half naked dancing girls, feathers, mermaids, etc. She still puts on a great show in her 60's - I'm sure I couldn't do half as
much...even if I had the talent. I know it's tacky but I love hearing her sing "The Wind Beneath My Wings."
A gorgeous drive to Zion this morning - you can see the red rock canyons from miles away and the rock formations are astonishing. We enjoyed our picnic lunch by the road side once again - in the gorgeous company of the rocks - and Steve had the opportunity to multi-task. After finding our motel, we took the shuttle into the park and all the way up the canyon to do the Riverside Trail hike. It's a long narrow trail which goes up into the head of canyon following the riverbed and you see the walls of the canyon towering over you. The National Park Service has done an excellent job with the shuttle system - good for the environment in many ways and makes access to the canyon very easy. While we both loved the walk, Steve's favorite part was soaking his feet in the freezing Virgin River at the end.
Wine and cheese on the balcony before dinner - I continue to thank my sister for the cooler suggestion - and we chatted with a
nice German couple from Frankfurt. Asked what the weather would be like when we visit in December and the answer was cold and snow - not what Steve wanted to hear.
America is an amazing country in its geographic diversity - when I spend days such as we have I feel very blessed to see our land.
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anonymous
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Yeah, yeah, I get it. Vegas shows, America's diversity, God at his best in Zion, (I've decided God was indeed, a man. Would a woman do this stuff to us?), bathtubs and mirrors to make poor Lauren cringe ... never mind all that. How are your golf clubs? Your blog site is splendid and looks like something you spend a couple of hours a day writing, laying out, selecting photos, and editing. I am impressed, Ms. Editor. How did I not know about this?? Now, of course, I've got to find it daily so I don't miss any further captivating chapters recounting how we hung out the laundry in the 50's. (Yes, you do bring back amusing memories.) Your imagery of crossing Monitor Pass was so vivid and brought back the years I spent in that area when I had a stake in Alpine County. Did you drive past my old motel at Woodford's? Meanwhile, you are already missed on this end of your journey. Just don't think I'm not counting how many wines and cheeses on balconies you enter in this journal...and chocolate strawberries with champagne in the mirrored bathtub (Lauren, that was just to gross you out). Be safe. Hold your political nose through AZ and TExas. Marty