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2 out of 5 Ain’t Bad
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2 out of 5 Ain’t Bad

We are finally acting on Laurie's longtime desire to visit Utah. Although the ultimate desire to visit The Mighty Five cannot be completed at this time we are hoping for Bryce and Zion as well as other National & State Parks around our area. Read more
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  • Trip start
    August 7, 2026
  • CWBuff2 out of 5 Ain’t BadTraveler

    At PHL

    August 7 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 91 °F

    A nice reasonably comfy ride, a breeze through TSA (touch less TSA Prev definitely helps) and we are now chillin at Sabrina's Cafe.
    Some grub is in order be it that we'll get nada on an almost 6hr flight.
    Turkey sandwich por moi and Banh Mi for Laurie
    (Guess who got the brews I 😉)    Read more

  • CWBuff2 out of 5 Ain’t BadTraveler

    Looks like we made it

    August 7 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 97 °F

    Well... The flight out of PHL was on time... until it wasn't.
    The incoming plane was late (we did have a steadily deteriorating weather throughout the afternoon) so our boarding was delayed. Although we pulled out the gate at 6:07PM (only 7 minutes late) it took forever to take off and then had to go around the bad weather area.
    We finally landed in Las Vegas about 1/2 hour late so with getting out, getting the rental and driving for 1.5 hours we finally got here 😁
    The place is HUUUGE 2 bedrooms 2 bathrooms garage and even a golf cart (tempting as it is I most likely won't bother with it 😉)
    Here are photos I took upon arrival and then we promptly hit the bed ...
    It's been a long day...    Read more

  • CWBuff2 out of 5 Ain’t BadTraveler
    12

    Serene Morning #1

    August 8 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 86 °F

    This is what morning looks like and that's what we can expect later on (Mesquite upper right corner)
    😳😳🥵
    And that's our driveway and the surrounding area view.
    I hope you can see the mountains - they are gorgeous 😍
    We are off to stock up on weekly provisions
    and will figure out what to do with the remainder of the day when we return    Read more

  • CWBuff2 out of 5 Ain’t BadTraveler
    1Need a Peregrino Credencial 😊3Ok you asked, didn't you?!Nice rifle collectionScott with Bobby Ohr (sorry for the reflection 😣)Scott's bikeScott Hafen. What an amazing life story1It's a tacks shelter... Get it? 😁Bertha Howe who ran a local hospital in the buildingAn a Hearty AMEN to that!That's a silent movie projector from early 1900sThis room was a nursery during hospital yearsOrujo anyone? 😉Mid XX CenturyOutside garden2Jackrabbit3I have a feeling that "flowers disciples" may be disappointed on this trip - just lots of cactiA double outhouse (man! Dem pioneers were Really close! 😳😜)

    Mesquite

    August 8 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 106 °F

    Today is a short day just to get ourselves organized and oriented. And it's getting hotter by minutes ..
    So (again) a short outing to get a scoop on our "home base".

    Mesquite is a growing desert resort city in Clark County, Nevada, located in the northeastern Mojave Desert. It sits next to the Virgin Mountains and red rock mesas along Interstate 15 in the Virgin River Valley, about 80 miles northeast of Las Vegas next to the Arizona border. The population is roughly 24,000 residents. It is known for golf courses, casinos, and retirement communities. (figures!)

    Mesquite was settled by Mormon pioneers in 1880, who called it Mesquite Flat. The community was finally established on the third attempt after having been flooded out from the waters of the Virgin River. The name was later shortened to Mesquite, and the city was incorporated in 1984. The community was named for the mesquite timber near the original town site.

    We learned that and much more by visiting the Virgin Valley Historical Society Heritage museum . It's
    housed in a historic Pueblo-style stone building from 1941. Originally constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps/National Youth Administration, it served briefly as a library before operating as the town's hospital until 1977. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places    Read more

  • CWBuff2 out of 5 Ain’t BadTraveler
    Garry the greeting donkeyMAN! he did not move an inch! 🤣These are mules actuallyA bit more on that 20 mule trainName that groupieSeulement les Françaisuniquement l'anglais 😇CrazyAs applicable today as then...2Will the real Slim Shady please stand up 🙃Again, frustratingly reminiscent of current eventsSeems John K.B. made it to Mesquite at some point..and HOW!Some of the local art2Donkey barometers1108° and counting

    Donkey Museum

    August 8 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 109 °F

    The Donkey History Museum in Mesquite, Nevada, is a family-friendly venue operated by the Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue. It explores the deep historical contributions of donkeys, burros, and mules to human advancement, American history, and the building of the United States.

    The 20 Mule Team refers to the famous string of 18 mules and 2 horses used from 1883 to 1889 to haul massive wagons loaded with 10 tons of borax across 165 grueling miles of the Mojave Desert from Death Valley to Mojave, California. Today, it survives as a cultural icon of the American West

    It also seems to me that mules and donkeys had a pretty large set of their own groupies 😁

    And everything military ...

    And humorous...

    Deserted streets of Mesquite... too 🔥 🥵.. but oh those mountains 🤩    Read more

  • CWBuff2 out of 5 Ain’t BadTraveler
    The red mesas remind me of Najera on Camino FrancesIt's like we're on MarsTom and JerryDonald and DaisyLittle Mount RushmoreMedieval castlePeanutsOlympic ringsNot what you think 🤔American biscuitStatue of LibertyNow you can think 🤣George Washington?On a horse?I think these are actually natural formations

    Lower Flat Top Drive

    August 8 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 111 °F

    Lower Flat Top Drive in Mesquite, Nevada is a scenic paved road best known for hosting a quirky collection of handcrafted sandstone rock carvings.
    Located about 2 miles north of the interstate, it features intricate folk-art figures expertly carved directly into the compacted desert sand banks on the right side of the road. Created by local artist and former Olympian Pete Karns, the installation spans roughly 3/4 of a mile. Notable carvings include miniature replicas of Mount Rushmore, the Statue of Liberty, Easter Island Heads, a Sphinx, and a tribute to the Vegas Golden KnightsRead more

  • CWBuff2 out of 5 Ain’t BadTraveler
    1It was quite fulfilling

    Humble Menu del Dia

    August 8 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 111 °F

    It only got hotter as the day wore on so we called it quits.
    In solidarity with all other Pilgrims out there we prepared and ate our humble dinner of tiras de pollo fritas con tomate y aguacate washed down with some tinto verrano

    We will use the remainder of the day to do some planning    Read more

  • CWBuff2 out of 5 Ain’t BadTraveler
    11Virgin River1

    Virgin River Gorge

    August 9 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 86 °F

    On our way to Bryce Canyon.
    Turns out we clip a tiny corner of Arizona before crossing into Utah. A big chunk of that is travelling through Virgin River Gorge.
    The Virgin River Gorge is a dramatic, steep canyon in the far northwest corner of Arizona, carved by the Virgin River along a 29-mile stretch of Interstate 15 between St. George, Utah, and Mesquite, Nevada. Completed in December 1973, building this section of I-15 was an incredible engineering feat that required rerouting the river multiple times.

    Disclaimer: all of the photos and videos of today simply do not do justice to what we saw.
    😕    Read more

  • CWBuff2 out of 5 Ain’t BadTraveler
    1
    2

    Red Canyon

    August 9 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F

    After driving for over 2 hours we turned onto UT-12 East.. and were totally stunned by the sight in front of us... So much so that we didn't reach for the camera immediately
    The Red Canyon - most famously refers to the striking red-rock area in Utah's Dixie National Forest along Scenic Byway 12, located about 13 miles west of Bryce Canyon National ParkRead more

  • CWBuff2 out of 5 Ain’t BadTraveler
    I hear George Thorougood1

    Bryce Canyon Visitors Center

    August 9 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F

    We're here. And 1st time use of my America the Beautiful SC Lifetime Pass. (Will definitely pay for itself by the end of this trip).
    The weather is holding up so far and it's not hot at all.

  • CWBuff2 out of 5 Ain’t BadTraveler
    13111111111

    The Amphitheater

    August 9 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 81 °F

    Bryce Canyon National Park is a stunning reserve in southern Utah famous for its vast collection of crimson-colored hoodoos, which are unique, spire-shaped rock formations created by frost wedging and stream erosion.
    Stunning Amphitheaters: Features massive natural bowls filled with thousands of pink and red rock spires.

    And we are by one of them (most popular) ...and something is not working correctly with my photos. I specifically took my SLR camera with me (you definitely can notice the difference between which camera took which photo) plus Laurie usually shares some of hers.
    Well... Somehow this time around the stats (date, time & location) are getting lost during files transfer. 😞
    So I'm forced to lump everything together into a couple of general footprints

    To make some distractions - we walked the Rim trail to Sunrise and Sunset Points and started onto Inspiration Point but it started to rain so we beat a hasty retreat back to the car and were driving from that moment on    Read more

  • CWBuff2 out of 5 Ain’t BadTraveler
    2

    Amphitheatre 2

    August 9 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F

    In addition, we wound up in different Time Zone (MDT) and that scrambled cameras info as well.
    In any case, a little more History:

    Created as a national monument in 1923 and a national park in 1928.

    Named after pioneer Ebenezer Bryce who homesteaded the area in the 1870s.

    Features a quiet, remote high-elevation environment ranging from 8,000 to 9,000 feet.

    Enjoy what you can and remember what I said earlier: no pictures or videos can do it justice

    P.S. the photos just didn't download to here (FP) 😭
    so videos only
    Will have to wait until I get home to try and fix    Read more

  • CWBuff2 out of 5 Ain’t BadTraveler
    Carne Asada Tacos for LaurieDouble Bogey for meStill only cacti for flowers

    Dinner

    August 9 in the United States ⋅ 🌬 108 °F

    Located inside the Conestoga Golf Club in Sun City Mesquite, the 1880 Grille is a casual American restaurant open to the public. It honors the area's early pioneers with a rustic theme, offering hearty comfort food, scenic golf course views, and a friendly neighborhood atmosphere popular with both golfers and locals.

    Didn't mingle with locals but food was good 😊    Read more

  • CWBuff2 out of 5 Ain’t BadTraveler
    1Maybe I'll see somethingHere we goOne of the early settlers cabin

    Cedar Breaks National Monument

    August 10 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F

    ve
    Cedar Breaks National Monument sits at over 10,000 feet on the Markagunt Plateau in Iron County, Utah. It features a colossal, half-mile-deep geologic amphitheater filled with colorful hoodoos, spires, and subalpine forests.
    As we were told by the Ranger it is the youngest canyon out of all others at only 40 to 50 million years.
    We were there in slightly less than 2 hours (and still jumped a Time Zone)    Read more

  • CWBuff2 out of 5 Ain’t BadTraveler
    1I was thinking that these trees are like 50 ft tall

    Point Supreme Overlook

    August 10 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F

    Since its establishment in 1933, Point Supreme Overlook has served as the primary scenic viewpoint for visitors to the rim of the Cedar Breaks Amphitheater. From this point, at 10,350ft, visitors can see the incredible formations created by the weathering and erosion over thousands of years.Read more

  • CWBuff2 out of 5 Ain’t BadTraveler

    Sunset trail

    August 10 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F

    The Sunset Trail at Cedar Breaks National Monument is an easy, 2.0-mile round-trip (1.0 mile point-to-point) paved path that connects the Point Supreme Overlook to the Sunset View Overlook.
    The path runs along the forested rim, culminating in panoramic views of the amphitheater's signature red rock hoodoos.Read more

  • CWBuff2 out of 5 Ain’t BadTraveler

    Chessmen Ridge

    August 10 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 68 °F

    Chessmen Ridge Overlook is the highest elevation overlook in Cedar Breaks National Monument, sitting at 10,461 feet (3,188 meters) above sea level. Centrally located along Rim Road (Highway 148), this easily accessible drive-up viewpoint offers panoramic vistas of the amphitheater's deeply sculpted canyons and vibrant red-rock pinnacles.
    The overlook gets its name from the unique, naturally eroded hoodoos and geological formations below that resemble giant chess pieces    Read more

  • CWBuff2 out of 5 Ain’t BadTraveler
    1There were no wild life for me to harass
    1Pilgrim Shadows - popular photo on the CaminoWe took the lower trail going downAnd down we goTwain tacks 😁The pond - ver clear water

    Alpine Pond Trail

    August 10 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 68 °F

    The Alpine Pond Trail is a scenic 2-mile double-loop trail located within Cedar Breaks National Monument that sits at an impressive elevation of over 10,000 feet. This relatively easy path offers a perfect sample of the park's diverse landscapes, taking hikers through dense subalpine forests, vibrant wildflower meadows, and along the dramatic rim of the ancient red rock amphitheater.Read more

  • CWBuff2 out of 5 Ain’t BadTraveler
    1Brian Head PeakNo we didn't go there 😁

    North View Overlook

    August 10 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F

    The North View Overlook is the northernmost scenic viewpoint inside Cedar Breaks National Monument, situated at an elevation of over 10,000 feet along Utah Highway 143. It provides visitors with the park's widest panoramic view of the half-mile-deep geologic amphitheater and stunning vistas looking north toward Brian Head Peak.
    Offers the widest perspective of the multi-colored rock amphitheater's hoodoos, fins, and spires.

    Brian Head Peak is a 11,307-foot (3,446 m) mountain in southwestern Utah. Located in Dixie National Forest just north of Cedar Breaks National Monument, it is the highest point in Iron County and on the Markagunt Plateau, offering panoramic views stretching into Nevada and Arizona.    Read more

  • CWBuff2 out of 5 Ain’t BadTraveler
    The Bard himselfJulietteFalstaffKing LearBottom the WeaverLady MacbethCleopatraHenry VHamlet

    Shakespeare Festival

    August 10 in the United States ⋅ 🌬 90 °F

    Turns out they have a Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City . It's a Tony Award-winning professional theater company celebrating its 65th Anniversary Season from June 18 to October 3, 2026. Located on the campus of Southern Utah University in the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Center for the Arts, it stands as one of the oldest and last true rotating repertory theaters in North America. The festival draws nearly 100,000 visitors annually to experience world-class Shakespearean classics, modern masterpieces, and vibrant musical theater.
    Of course we had to go 😊

    This Garden of Characters greeted us right where we parked on Campus. The sculptures are beautiful ❤️    Read more