Outsourced: Southwest Road Trip 2014

Wow, this post is so very overdue. I guess that is a testament to a great new year, off to a busy and bustling start. But, this trip with Peter was incredible and it deserves a good post to showcase all of the fun!

We're still working on the final photo album (1000+ photos take a looong time to whittle down), but until then, I've added some highlights for each of the stops along the way:

We set out on Sunday, Dec 28th - after spending a fun-filled (and warm!) holiday with the Dorman clan in LA. My wonderful mom sent us off with her spare car so we could avoid a rental fee, and enjoy a sweet ride!

Trip itinerary: LA > Bryce Canyon National Park > Antelope Canyon > Zion National Park > Las Vegas > Death Valley > LA

It was another fun-filled adventure with Pete! We're now 2 for 2 on stellar trips. Only about a million more to go to see all the places I dream of :)

Sunday:

Drive from LA to Page, AZ along Rt 40
In-N-out for lunch (Peter's first In-n-Out experience!)
Sadly, Bearizona was closed...we'll have to be back one day
Even more sad, I dropped and cracked my phone :(
Dam Bar & Grill for dinner
Red Rock Motel

Crossing the border to AZ!

you only get your first time once!

Monday:

Drove to Bryce (crossed Utah border)
Man, I blew it by getting a monster speeding ticket! Peter saved the day by finding dad's old Louis CK comedy CD in the glove compartment, brought me back from the edge :)
Hiked the Figure Eight (Queens Garden, Peekaboo Loop, Navajo Loop) in Bryce Canyon
Picnic lunch
Visited Rainbow Point
Buffalo Burgers for dinner at Big Al's Burgers (at the Junction in Kanab, UT)
Red Rock Motel

Brrrrryce is nice (but chilly!)

PICNIC!! (so much better than our soggy picnic in Montenegro!)

switchbacks!

guns optional, accurate shooting required

Tuesday:

Sunrise at Horseshoe Point (STUNNING!)
Chief Tsosie's Upper Antelope Canyon Tour
sandwiches for lunch (again! yum salami!)
Ken's Lower Antelope Canyon Tour
Lakeshore Drive (Lake Powell)
Attempted sunset at Wahweap Point (but missed it b/c I was busy buying ornaments :( womp womp
Dinner at Fiesta Mexicana and some of the biggest margaritas I've ever seen!
Red Rock Motel

Sunrise @ Horseshoe Bend

Pete, living on the edge!

Antelope Canyon!

MARGS!

Wednesday:

Breakfast (and a little history) at Parry Lodge in Kanab, UT
Hiked Hidden Canyon Trail in Zion
Drove thru Zion park
Dinner @ Red Rock Grill and an introduction to a really solid local winery: Castle Creek in Moab, UT
Chess and a rockin NYE at Zion Park Lodge (note: we were asleep by 10pm)

Staying cozy during a stop on our snowy drive to Zion!

YAK TRACKS: a MUST

Love this guy (and his selfie skills)

it was a bit treacherous

Thursday:

Breathtaking (both in beauty and danger) hike to Angels Landing - didn't quite make it to the top due to risky conditions and a broken Yak Track, but it was pretty awesome. Just another reason we need to get back!
Drove to Vegas!
Happily accepted our upgrade to a Tower Suite @ The Wynn