Take a tour of St. George. Watch some paragliders. Do not go to any swank coffee shops or attempt to seek out the intelligentsia.
Take UT-9 east to Springdale, UT.
Looking southeast from UT-9
Stop at the ATM and get more cash, go to the Zion entrance and buy a year's National Park pass for $50. Wander aimlessly around the Visitor Center, consider taking the tram tour of the rest of the park.
Reconsider, decide to take the Watchman Trail hike instead.
Caper up the trail, take a few photos.
Jog back down the trail while your fellow trail passengers are still at the top admiring the less than spectacular view.
Assure yourself that other Zion trails are probably much, much better.
The end of the Watchman Trail
A deer.
Leave Zion. The National Park worker at the exit tunnel is a babe. Head back east on UT-9, then north on 89. Drive past the Bryce turnoff, and head 14 miles up to Panguitch. Be reminded of Garberville, CA. Order an Arby's #1 Combo.
Head back south on 89, and this time make it official by turning left on 12.
Fewer crowds than Zion, you'll like this better, especially if you appreciate the wide-open higher elevation.
Be reminded of the upper parts of Humboldt County, CA.
The National Park worker here is also a babe.
Armed with your Yearly Pass, you'll feel like a member of the true intelligentsia.
Attempt to take the Navajo Trail which you might have read about in Frommer's National Parks Guide.
Fail to find the trail head.
So, take off for Upper Inspiration Point.
2/3 of the way there, it might start to rain.
Hey, that's cool.
It will drive the German tourists off the ledge.
Schwachlinge, they parked right next to the lookout, and didn't face the daunting elevation changes you did.
If it's hailing by the time you get back to the trail head, run furiously through the parking lot back to the Kia.
Looking into Bryce Canyon
Leave Bryce and head due south on 89 bound for the Big One. It's a long drive through Kanab, Fredonia, and the Kaibab National Forest. While in the forest, the lightning bolts you might have seen coming in might be followed almost immediately by the thunder claps, and it might start to rain very heavily. If you consider going back, what were you doing here anyway?
Arrive at the Grand Canyon Entrance, ask what time it is. Set car clock back to 5pm, because AZ doesn't believe in standard time.
Get to the trailhead of the North Kaibab Trail.
Decide to hike down to the Coconino Overlook, .75 miles.
It's a very, very easy hike down.
Be stunned at the vista enfolding before you, and the sheer drop into the canyon below.
Take a few photos, and head back up.
It's a very difficult hike back up, especially considering the day's prior exertions.
Try to get salt stains out of your T-shirt by pouring cold water into it over the trashcan.
Head out to Point Imperial.
Swerve to avoid hitting a deer.
It probably wouldn't fit in the trunk anyway.
Take some photos, and head back
Near Coconino Overlook
(There's more information on the North Kaibab Trail at
this page.)
Leave Grand Canyon. Head back north up 89, turn left at Fredonia, and head west on the very lonely 389 to just north of St. George, then head south on the 15. Try to do 90 or 100 as much as possible (sorry Budget).
Get back to Vegas. Cruise the Strip a little, but you'll be tired and not even the Blue Man Show will be able to match the splendor of the Grand Canyon. So, head out to Jean, and sleep in the parking lot of the Gold Strike Casino.