A grand road trip was hatched, a flight from the uk into Las Vegas picking up a hire car and then thro the Nevada mountains to Bryce canyon. You see this was a back to nature kind of hol. Bryce was fab. A hard outcrop of rock which you spectate down into. What you gaze upon are red, grey, white, buff sand stone whipped into hoodoos (large staligmites of rock that were formed by the wind and the rain eroding the lesser geology around them). A hike into the canyon down through wall street, named because the walls of the canyon are so close together its literally a wall street, and along a dry river bed was fab. Never be a spectator when you can participate! The next day an early rise caught the majestic sun as it rose into its visible orbit and touch the dull red stone with the magic of life which instantly 
came alive. My breath froze, as did my hands and the wonder of the event took all these discomforts away. I was only left with that feeling of complete inadequacy that only the beauty of nature can bestow on a person. It was hard to leave the beauty of such a place, although the comfort of what lay ahead was some consolation. From here it was a short drive to Zion canyon. A green place with high mountains and a valley carved by the river and its water over thousands of years.
A highlight of this trip was a hike up the Virgin river which runs through the canyon cold and clear. River hiking neoprene socks and river shoes and staff were hired and after a small delay from locking keys in the Dodge stratus and getting the cops out to break in, the river trek awaited. The path stopped and the river continued and that was the path from then on. 2000 feet of Navajo sand stone had been carved out by the river and the view up were spectacular. Wading upstream was no easy task and the cold water and current a constant reminder to pay full attention to the circumstances. Next to the North Rim Grand Canyon and the long drive to the edge was like torture. I wanted to get there and see the wonder and the 12 mile + drive seemed an age. Fab views and a great sunset that made the on lookers silent was one to behold. From here it was
onto to Lake Powell as a stop off point and then onto Monument Valley. A 2 seater jeep tour was secured with a Navajo indian guide and for almost 4hours I was guided though not only the landscape but also the history, beliefs, customs and culture of the people who frequent this land and have the right to call this home. The dust was unbelievable and everthing turned red! The monoliths were spectacular, so much so I just had to sit and stare after the expedition and drink in the beauty along with the dust. Next to the South rim Grand canyon, and a stop off at all the view points with many photo ops. Without having to look into the sun , as was the case from the north the colours in the rock were truly visible. A rim trail trek right on the edge showed the canyon to be rugged, harsh, and unforgiving to those who slipped into its 
cavernous mouth. The heat was incredible at this level let alone beneath the rim and left many questions in my mind to be answered. A nights stay in Laughlin in a casino, was a real turn around and culture shock. All is free if you gamble. On the way back to Vegas a stop off at the Hoover Dam saw a grey concrete man made structure that failed to appeal. Maybe it was all the natural wonders that shaded this supposed man made structure, or was it just a ugly monstrosity? From here it was a short hop back to Vegas for a couple of days chill out time. What a culture shock! No more moutains and rivers and wonders of the world. Just neon, erupting fake volcanos and opulance beyond many a wildest dream. I am glad i went if only to know what I enjoy the best about America. That is the natural beauty of the National Parks and the people that frequent them. Good luck to all those that find solace in the gambling halls and flashing lights but I would prefer a sunset/rise any day of the week. 
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