6am - This day, we got up early to go to Bryce Point overlook to see the sunrise. When we get there, there are already a few hardcore photographers waiting (with super cameras and tripods ready). We wait about an hour for the sun to really come up. During this time, a tour bus of japanese tourists arrive and flood the overlook. Pin was happy that he could take pics over their heads. I was annoyed that they kept butting into my tripod space. But I got some good pics of the sunrise with their silhouettes.
8am - Overhearing one of the photographers recommend a better spot, we drove down to Inspiration Point to get somer more sunrise pics. At this point, the view was really amazing.
9am - We head back and pack up our campsite. Then go to the Bryce Canyon Lodge store so I can buy a bucket hat and exchange some of the coasters I got to get a better match. I end up also buying a necklace and a pair of earrings...
10am - We head to Sunrise point and take the Queens Garden trail then connected onto the Navajo Trail. These took us down into the canyon to see the hoodoos up close. At the very end of the Navajo, we came upon "Wall Street" which is a basically a narrow crevasse for everyone to walk through. Then to walk up, the park had built basically a Lombard Street - we had to wind back and forth to get up the steep side.
11:30am - We head out of Bryce Canyon and towards Vegas! Right before Arizona, we stop for lunch in St George. We find a Thai restaurant that was pretty good. I got pad thai and pin got drunken noodles. Around here, there were some beautiful hillside houses - but you could see remnants of the geology that was there and it was sad to think they had torn it down. It might be like them seeing us replace forest with developments or a strip mall?
We pass through Arizona and then almost immediately into Nevada.
We get to the MGM grand and its a beautiful hotel. We get pretty confused trying to park, but finally get to the self parking lot. Inside, it was like culture shock for us. Going from being out in nature and camping for a few days, then entering a building that has more than one place to eat - marble floors and chandeliers was so weird. The check-in counter had about 15employees with a full line at each. It took forever to check in. At least we found out the valet parking was free so we wouldn't have to take down the annoying roof rack bag (and clean it).
The beds in the hotel room were amazing. We both showered and then went to the buffet. Our room package came with 2for1 buffet. It was really good buffet.
Pin had gotten $25 for slot play by joining the players club so we spent that up and actually won $27.50! Though tempted to continue gambling - we stopped while we were ahead. Then we walked up and down the strip in search of gambling deals.
On the way we passed the Bellagio fountains and they started up. The fountain show was amazing, and the music was perfect. It was super dramatic and powerful to see.
12:30am - When we finally make it back to the MGM, I'm beat but pin stays down for more gambling (wins $10!).
Distance Traveled: 262mi
Total Distance: 4009mi
$ Spent: $112.70
Total $: $1126.32
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