Vacation Notes 2007

- Thu - 6/7 - Excalibur Hotel in Las Vegas - no real complaints

- Fri - 6/8 - Ruby's Inn near Bryce Canyon
    - room ok - Inn not even half full
    - gas $3.69
    - food ok - overpriced - buffet sparse
    - nice tourist shops - especially the rocks you could buy
    - very close to Bryce Canyon
    - temperature 36/76 degrees

- Sat - 6/9 - through Capitol Reef and on to Moab
    - Capitol Reef reminded me of a huge highway project where
        they were moving mountains.
    - Easy access to petroglyphs from Fremont Culture
    - Moab - Holiday Inn Express (free wireless, decent but small laundry, continental  breakfast)
    - First time I've ever encountered a "Mountain Bikes Not Allowed in Room" sign
    - Branding Iron Steak House - ok - south of town - a little expensive - slow service.
    - Zak's Pizza in Moab - good

- Sun - 6/10
    - Arches National Park - amazing
    - Gas at Moab - $3.49

- Mon - 6/11 - too much traveling
    - Newspaper Rock near Canyonlands - very accessible - worth stop
    - Hovenweep - in the middle of nowhere - hard to imagine living your life there
    - Keyanta - Best Western Weterhill - ok - great display of Code Talkers at
        the Burger King - didn't seem to be many restaurants other than fast food.
    - Saw some Monument Valley - raining.
    - Gas at Kayeata : $3.21

- Tue - 6/12 -
    - Betakin at Navajo National Monument - only see from a distance if you don't
        want to hike but worthwhile - bring binoculars/telephoto lens for best viewing
    - Horseshoe of Colorado near Page - beautiful but scary - no fence - hike was less
        than a mile but hot
    - Courtyard - this was a greatok - cheapest price was from http://www.skoosh.com in Great Britain - go figure
        no problems with the reservation however.
    - OK, now a complaint.  I love Antelope Canyon.  I've been there before and raved about
        it to many people including on my webpage.  So I looked forward to a second visit. When
        we entered the recently-constructed parking lot, the sign said $6 a person. No problem, that
        was about the same price as last time.  After parking, I learned there would be an additional
        $20 a person for ride to the actual canyon.  I asked for and received a refund.  My complaint
        is they should have told me upfront the actual cost.  My interactions with the Navajo have all
        been positive (including the nice lady who gave me the refund).  I think they should be able to
        charge any amount they want but I immediately flashed back to some of the stories I've read
        about the Grand Canyon Skywalk.

- Wed - 6/13 - Page, AZ
    - gas $3.17
    - drive to Grand Canyon

- Thu - 6/14 - Grand canyon lodge (Pioneer Cabins)
    - #127 - on rim of side canyon - lots of cabins but quiet
    - very primitive cabin, small, electricity, shower but liked it
    - more crowded than expected
    - gift shop, deli, nice restaurant (reservations and slightly expensive), laundry
    - weather perfect (80/50)
    - people crazy around edge
    - Height: 9000/4000 - felt altitude

- Fri - 6/15 - drive to Las Vegas
    - stayed at MGM Grand Hotel
    - long wait to check-in even though there was lots of staff
    - disappointed with room (just OK), buffet (expensive - food ok)
    - equally to Excalibur in my opinion

- Sat - 6/16 to GSO
    - Long layover in Dallas, further delay due to weather

Total Miles Driven: 1350