We did not elope in Vegas

I know that is what you all are thinking. I haven't updated the blog in 3 days because I must be off celebrating a Las Vegas marriage. Sorry to disappoint but no, the answer is much simpler: the pricey hotel did not offer free WiFi. Internet access was $15 per day per laptop. We decided to stick to one charge per day so Dustin used the connection for work and you were all left on the edge of your seats. Now to fill you in on the adventures since our snowy morning greeting in Flagstaff, Ariz.

We left Flagstaff early to get to the Grand Canyon as soon as possible and move on to Las Vegas. The price for the national park was very reasonable, $25 entry fee for the car and the admission is good for a week. It can even be used to enter the park's North Rim.


How many people can say they have seen the Grand Canyon in the snow? Me! Me! Me! Pick me!!! It was *freezing* and I was completely unprepared for the cold. Almost immediately we had to find a gift shop to buy an overpriced Canyon-themed sweatshirt. I had no intention of dying from frost bite amid random tourists on the South Rim.

The first stop was mostly gift shops, a tower to overlook the Canyon, a fenced area for viewing and a trail to go a bit farther down. The rest of the park consists mainly of driving for a mile or more at a time then stopping in a designated parking area to take a look. Camping and hiking are allowed but I don't know any of the rules for that.

Dustin was enthusiastic about all the signs warning of animals, as he tends to be. (You already know this if you have ever met him.) He was hoping to see a mountain lion, joking about taking a picture with it. I reminded him it would likely be a photo of his disfigurement. He was unmoved. Thank goodness for the animals, we saw very few. When we were on the way out of the park we saw a line of cars on the side of the road, wondering what was going on we stopped as well. Elk! There were at least 8, several male and female. Dustin was thrilled and shocked, he didn't realize their size. Yes, they are intimidating. Yes, there are signs asking you to stay away from the wildlife. Yes, people hunt them. No, I am not interested in finding out what it tastes like. Thanks anyway.

On the way out of the park we noticed we started on what is usually the end. We saw the ranger stations, camping grounds, parking lots. Even in the cold and snow, we had a fantastic time. The lighter crowds during the off-season are nice. We would definitely love to go back and get a view during a different season.


After the Canyon, we were heading straight to Las Vegas. Neither of us had been there previously so we didn't have set plans. We were driving toward it without so much as a hotel reservation. Somewhere along the way Dustin grabbed his phone and called a hotel. It wasn't until he needed me to talk to them while he was driving that I found out where we were going to stay during our visit. The Luxor! Woot! Fancy hotel right on the strip, I was excited and impressed. We also randomly chose 2 nights while we were making the reservation. After so much driving, we were really looking forward to spending more than a single night. We also made a stop at the Hoover Dam on the Arizona/Nevada state line just after sunset.

For those who aren't familiar, The Luxor is a giant pyramid. It has a xenon light on the roof that can be seen for 250 miles. As we discovered all the hotels tend to do, The Luxor went all out with the theme inside and out. The front has a sphinx and obelisk; the rooms have headboards, sheets and an armoire covered in hieroglyphics. We were on the 13th floor, I was amazed since most hotels skip that number. Right after checking in we played some slots and had a cab driver show us around the strip.

The second night Dustin was in bed with a terrible stomach ache, so we didn't get to see much. We had plans to leave the next morning, I think we were both disappointed to miss some many of the things we wanted to check out. In the end, I called the front desk and added a third night. We were having a great time and had so much to see we needed another day.

We decided we wanted to try the Pink Taco at the Hard Rock Casino and Hotel. When we asked about its location we were assured by several people it was only blocks off the strip. These people lie. It was so far we could barely take it, walking to this one was a bad idea. We took a cab back to the hotel. The restaurant was good though, not a wasted journey. They are called pink tacos because they have pickled red onions on them, basic chicken and black beans otherwise. Just so you know, the name is intentional. One of the owners made a comment at its opening about making the whole place vagina themed, covering the walls and etc., just to be sure everyone got it. I was relieved this was not the case.

We had hoped to see a show while we were in town. Penn & Teller are playing the Rio right now but we happened to be in town on the nights they were not performing. *sigh* We settled for wandering the strip, catching portions of free shows: pirates/sirens at Treasure Island and a huge water show in the fountain at the Bellagio. We walked so much my feet still hurt!

We stopped in the Venetian and it was beautiful. We took a gondola ride through the center with a singing gondolier. It was so cool, the inside is full of bridges and facades above the shops to look just like Venice. We also went to the top of the Eiffel Tower replica at the Paris Hotel. It was a great way to get a look at the strip but so windy.

We looked around the Miracle Mile shops at Planet Hollywood. We had dinner the last night at Todai, an all you can eat seafood and sushi bar. It could have been a disaster but it was outstanding.

We considered going to California from Las Vegas. Dustin has family north of San Francisco and I have a friend in Modesto. We talked about it for several days but ultimately decided it was too far out the original plan and our ultimate destination. We settled on Salt Lake City instead. We had heard some nice things about the area and Dustin wanted to check out the salt flats. An added bonus: both Heather Armstrong (aka dooce) and Scott Johnson live in the area. We hoped we might meet one (or both!) for coffee or something while in town. As of now, no such luck. I sent an e-mail to Scott Johnson from the road, asking to buy him some coffee or whatever it might be he preferred. (Is he Mormon? Mormons don't drink anything with caffeine and I didn't want to extend an impolite invitation.) I will have to get back to you if we hear from him tomorrow.

We tried our third restaurant from the Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives list in SLC. The Red Iguana Mexican restaurant is outstanding. We didn't show up until 20 minutes before closing time and our waitress was as nice as possible. She stood at the table describing dishes, telling us customer favorites and her own preferences. Cecilia (I almost always remember my server's name) brought us samples of all the moles on the menu, just for a taste, and some chili verde. We went for fish tacos and cochinita pibil. O. M. G. It was all delicious. Dustin wants to eat breakfast there as well, heh.

In the morning we head off to Colorado Springs, a full week after we left Memphis. I waited too late to give my grandmother a heads up tonight. Tomorrow morning she gets a warning that we are about to descend on her home for several days. We already have plans to visit Boulder and Denver. We will be back in Memphis next Friday with a stop somewhere in Oklahoma on the way back, likely Tulsa.