DAY 15 JUNE 1ST TO ZION THEN BACK TO VEGAS

Rising early and packing the car for the last time was a pretty good feeling. As fun as vacation is, you reach a point where you miss your home. Knowing we were almost home (either Vegas or Seattle) gave us a relaxed feeling about the day ahead.

We were headed to Zion National Monument. The drive there was peaceful and beautiful. Alas, we were disappointed to discover that very little of the park can be accessed on your own. The bulk of the juicy stuff, all the stuff folks go there to see, is accessible only by shuttle. Shame on us for not checking in to that. We had planned all along to just cruise around and pick and choose a couple of really nice spots to explore before we headed to Vegas. But the shuttle would have delayed our plans. Yes, you can jump on and off the shuttle as you like. But once committed to the shuttle, you ran on its schedule. And we knew we didn't have time for that. As much as we wanted to see Zion, we knew getting back to Vegas at a decent time was important. We had plenty of work to do before we left for Seattle the next day. We did, however, enjoy the ride to the visitor center, about 13 miles. Very scenic, twisty, narrow road.



These are the only two shots of Zion.

Instead of exploring the park, we explored the gift shop which was pretty nice. We left the park and then got coffee - what else? This would be the last latte on the road. We chose Café Soleil just outside of the park in Springdale, UT. Springdale has everything you need if you are on your way into or out of Zion. After coffee we hit the road to Vegas. Leaving this early would put us into Vegas hours ahead of schedule.

On the way to Vegas we traveled through some really barren parts of Utah. Holy cannoli there is nothing but nothing in that part of the world. It's not so bad from Springdale to about the Washington and St. George area but then I-15 gets barren. We dipped into Arizona for a bit but then enter Nevada at Mesquite. Not sure why this town exists. Perhaps at one point there was a more practical reason but now it's simply a resort town and nothing more. Basically, a baby Vegas. They harnessed some of the power of the Virgin River and turned a sun-baked spot into a small oasis so people can drink and gamble and play golf. Just keep driving.

Once back in the metro Vegas area we hit traffic. Where was everyone going in the early afternoon? We still made it back early in the afternoon.

Once home we unpacked, did laundry, relaxed, ate, re-packed. Sally and I had my mom's car washed then did the detail work ourselves. That evening Stephanie and Sally got pedicures at Red Rock Nails while I hung out by the pool and drank beer. I also watched VH1's 40 Most Softsational Soft Rock Songs and drank beer. I was, after all, still on vacation. My mom was in Cleveland visiting family.