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Trip List by BluegrassGirl2

Southwest driving tour

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8 Jul 2006  “Met up with my dad for an adventure in September of 2005”
3.5 of 5 stars based on 9 votes

Places visited in Arizona, Nevada, and Utah.

  • 1. Tropicana Resort and Casino
    Tropicana Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada
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    Avg price: $134

    I can only hope that this hotel is torn down soon, and is replaced by something nicer.

  • 2. Zion National Park
    Zion National Park, Utah

    Beautiful! I recommend renting special water shoes outside the park and going on a hike up the Virgin River. The water is really cold, and in some places the current is strong, so don't attempt if you have health problems. About 400 feet or so up the river is a drop off. The water is chest deep on the average person, but after about 15 feet it's back to shin deep. The rocks weren't too slippery - I never fell, which is great considering my balance isn't very good. We hiked upstream for about 2.5 hours, and then back to the entrance in less than 2 hours. Bring a snack and plenty of water, and only wear synthetic clothes that will dry quickly (no cotton).

    One of our bus/tram rides was really scary. The driver was going way too fast, and since our car was separate from the main car and attached by a hitch, we were swung back and forth. There were no guardrails, and the road is in places right at the edge of the cliffs. Some people were very distressed by that ride, but all the other rides were very pleasant.

  • 3. Quality Inn & Suites Montclair
    Quality Inn & Suites Montclair, Springdale, Utah
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    Avg price: $145

    We didn't have reservations, and this was the only hotel around with a room available. The room was a decent size, very clean (it looked brand new), and the staff was friendly. When we arrived it was after dark and we were tired, and when we woke up the next morning we couldn't believe the beautiful mountains right outside the door!

  • 4. Bryce Canyon National Park
    Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

    Bryce Canyon is magnificent. The colors and shapes of the rocks look like something out of a fairytale. It was mid-September, and the air was chilly - perfect hiking weather. Don't just stop at the lookouts, hike the trails along the rim. They aren't too difficult, even though the air is thin. Someday I want (after 6 months training on the stairmaster) to hike down to the bottom.

  • 5. Antelope Canyon
    Antelope Canyon, Page, Arizona

    Page is a nice little town. Antelope Canyon is well worth the price of hiring a guide and paying the tribal entrance fee. While you're in the area, check out Glen Canyon Dam - it's only a few minutes outside the town. They built the visitor's center right on the edge of a cliff, and you can take pictures from special slots in the bridge.

  • 6. Monument Valley
    Monument Valley, Utah

    I think the entrance fee was only $5. It was worth ten times that! We stayed in a hotel in Kayenta, about a 20 minute scenic drive away. Don't attempt the MV road in a car with low clearance. The 17 mile loop is dirt/fine sand, and has lots of holes and bumps. It's an easy drive, but don't go more tha 10 mph, or you'll risk doing damage and kick up a dust cloud that makes it unpleasant for others. There are numerous pull-offs for picture taking, and you'll take a lot of pics!

  • 7. Meteor Crater
    Meteor Crater, Winslow, Arizona

    This is a big hole. We got there a half hour before closing and didn't have time to look around in the museum. I'm not sure I'd go again, but it was interesting to see the crater and imagine the massive explosion as the meteor hit the earth.

  • 8. Super 8 Flagstaff/I-40 Business Loop
    Super 8 - Flagstaff Mall, Flagstaff, Arizona
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    Avg price: $97

    Our room looked like it had been recently remodeled. It was fine considering how little we paid for it. Had a great meal at the Village Inn restaurant next door.

  • 9. Little Painted Desert County Park, Highway 89, AZ

    We pulled into the parking lot, from which you can't see anything. Not knowing what to expect, we walked to the edge of a cliff and were amazed! down below were hundreds of colorful, striped hills. Somtimes small side trips provide big rewards.

  • 10. Grand Canyon National Park
    Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

    My least favorite stop on the trip. It's so big that it's hard to get a sense of scale. The walking paths were nice, but the bus routes could have been easier to figure out and use. Glad we went in September when the crowds were small.

Explore locations featured in this Trip List: Las Vegas, Zion National Park, Springdale, Bryce Canyon National Park, Page, Monument Valley, Winslow, Flagstaff, Grand Canyon National Park