Travel Essentials

Canon PowerShot SX230 HS 12.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 14x Image Stabilized Zoom 28mm Wide-Angle Lens and 1080p Full-HD Video (Black)

The Four Corners

     Between the Grand Canyon and Mesa Verde National Parks, two of the most famous World Heritage Sites in the USA, lies the awe inspiring beautiful landscape that was shaped by water and wind.   As we drove more than a 1000 miles through the land of the canyons, we felt as if we were transported to a different world.   We snapped hundreds of pictures of giant monuments and canyons that could only be architect and sculpted by the most skillful hands.

Day 1 - 2:  Las Vegas

   We started our trip to Las Vegas.   Since we're not gamblers, our goal is to enjoy the amenities that Vegas offer without suffocating in the smoky casino and flashy slot machines.  Our son, Nathan, 9 years old, really loved the wonder of Las Vegas.  Where else can you see so many famous buzz cities in such a short drive?

Vegas Essentials

• Mandalay Bay (2 nights) - clean, beautiful hotel that charged $28 resort fee, totally worth it if you use the Wave Pool and Lazy River.  Kids love it!   Tip: Bring your own Inner Tube; Kids stay free.
• 24 Hour Buffet: We fell into a trap of the buffet.  $60 (including tax) allows you to eat unlimited number of times within 24 hours.  Although we couldn't eat that much, it interesting to race through all the meals.  We had dinner and breakfast at Paris, lunch at Planet Hollywood, and dinner at Rio.  Rio has the most impressive selection.  Even at 5:30pm, there was already a long line.   Paris offered great dessert and crepes.  
• Shows:  
1. Cirque du Soleil Ka (Wow special effects, Too much dancing, Kids Friendly)  
2. Mac King Show ( Funny & Cool Magic, Too much ballet dancing, Kids Friendly)  
3. David Copperfield  ( Sentimental Value, Too many psychic tricks and not enough jaw dropping magic, Kids Friendly)  For $76 tickets, it was a fair value.

Day 3: Zion National Park 

It didn't take that long to drive from Las Vegas to Zion National Park.  After breakfast at McDonald, we left Vegas at around 9AM and arrived around 12:00PM for lunch.  After lunch, we quickly inquired about hiking in the Narrows.

Day 4: Antelope Canyon  ( Page, AZ )

It didn't take that long to drive from Las Vegas to Zion National Park.  After breakfast at McDonald, we left Vegas at around 9AM and arrived around 12:00PM for lunch.  After lunch, we quickly inquired about hiking in the Narrows. 

Day 5: Monument Valley  (Utah)

Day 6-7: Mesa Verde  (Colorado)

Day 8-9: Grand Canyon (AZ)

Day 10: Back to Las Vegas 

Day 11: Home Sweet Home