Sequoia National Forest....11/29

Took a drive deep into the Sequoia National Forest this AM....got a little lost on a national forest road, but eventually found the Trail of 100 Giants - an incredible sequoia forest! There are a hundred trees that have a diameter in excess of ten feet....these trees are at least 1,000 years old....a truly amazing hike through these giants....

After lunch, the troops were tired - siesta time!

Then,a really nice hike along the Kern River, just outside of Johnsdale - I recommend it when you're next in Johnsdale, and have a free couple of hours....

Our last night on the RV...tomorrow we'll be in Manhattan Beach.....and home the next day.

California.....11/28

Thanksgiving at Le Cirque was amazing last night...white truffles on everything....a really lovely Chapoutier wine....it is one of the most beautiful restaurants anywhere, in my opinion - sullied only by the fact the you have to walk throught the Bellagio casino to get there...Vegas - the only place I know where you hit an ATM for $500 and you get five hondos - I'm surprised the dispenser doesn't also produce a little note, like "play Red #5"......but we had two great dinners! Great to be back on the RV, though....

Long drive today to Kernville, CA....through Death Valley NP - Zabriske Point was amazing - arrived at our campground after dark....camping right on the river, and it's warm enough to have a little window open so we can hear the river....

Finished listening to John Wesley Powell's exploration of the Colorado River - a wonderful book. Am reading The Big Burn, and discovering what a wonderful president Teddy Roosevelt was. I have to read more about him - big gap in my education......I recommend the book wholeheartedly ..the story of how the Forest Service was created is very interesting....as well as many of the national parks.....

We're staying here again tomorrow night, so it's a relaxing day....will probably go to Sequoia NP and see those incredible trees....and then one last night in the RV.....

Happy Thanksgiving!!! 11/27

Took a long walk down The Strip this AM....bought some lovely votives at Lalique for our anniversary.....relaxed the rest of the day....including the showers before and after our massages, Amy and I have had eight showers in 24 hours! Making up for lost time I guess....

One of my favorite holidays....love to cook on Thanksgiving, but tonight we're out to Le Cirque at The Bellagio....Tomorrow we have a longish drive - over five hours - that will take us through Death Valley National Park....our destination is Camp James in Kernville, CA....only a couple of nights left of The Trip....though we've loved the time in the hotel here, we're both looking forward to getting back into the RV and on the road!

Our 40th, in Vegas....11/26

Wow - what a change...Vegas is an assault on one's senses....but, it feels great to be in a nice hotel,with a big bed, great shower, etc.....started out yesterday with a really nice hike in Snow Canyon (pic of Amy at the trailhead), then a leisurely drive into LV....lovely suite at The Delano (Molly particularly liked the bed).....celebrated our 40th with a great steak and all the fixin's at Craftsteak (and a 1989 Barolo).....Molly stayed home with a dog sitter - who will also be here tonight so we can go eat Thanksgiving dinner.....

Funny story - Eli, my nephew, texted me during dinner to bet $50 on Red 16 for him....I texted back that I really had not planned to go to the casino this trip, but for him I'd make the bet. Stopped at a table on our way out of the MGM (where Craftsteak is located)....I put his $50 on Red, but not the 16, though, as I've always thought betting a single number a silly bet! It came up Red 5, so I doubled his money (and made some for myself, as I placed the same bet). Took our money and left. I texted him later that I am quite sure that I'm the only guy that night that placed one bet,doubled his money, and left the casino!

Today we have no plans other than massages and dinner....it's going to be in the low 70's and sunny, so maybe we'll walk the strip with Molly, do a little shopping....always some football on, I guess!

Ahhhhhhhhh........

A big...soft.....bed!!!! Ahhhhhhhhhhhh.....

Snow Canyon State Park

Drove through St George yesterday afternoon after getting a fuse replaced....all is running smoothly again. St G is an expansive, fast-growing city, reminding me a bit of North Scottsdale....Snow Canyon SP, a gorgeous place, is only a few miles outside of town, but it feels like the middle of nowhere. Fabulous mix of sandstone mountains and cliffs and black lava-basalt which created it.....it was not chilly last night, and the sun was shining brightly as we awoke today....Molly's new favorite prey are rabbits, the preferably ones with large white cotton-tails (a bull's eye????)......

Going hiking here this AM, then back for lunch before driving to Las Vegas.....anniversary dinner tonight (40th)....here's my wonderful wife, taking care of our "blackwater" - and I am not referring to some sinister private security firm....

Zion NP and beyond....

Woke up this AM, sunny and chilly again...having a little trouble with one of the systems on the RV, and Frank from Advacnced RV has us set up at a service spot in St George, which was our destination for tonight as it happens. But first, we visited Zion National Park - and I must say, it is one of the most unbelievably beautiful natural sights I've ever seen! For those that have visited it before, you know of what I speak. For those who haven't seen it, GO!

Stopped just outside the park for a quick bite in the sunshine. In keeping with our location, we dined on the lawn of a Church of the Later Day Saints....

Finally nice to hit some warm weather - 60 degrees in St George. After getting the RV fixed up (waiting for it as I type), we will make the short drive to Snow Canyon State Park to spend the night. We have a nice hike planned for the morning, then we'll drive to Las Vegas that afternoon.