Snow Canyon State Park UT

After leaving Red Rock Canyon, we rejoin I-15 that runs through long stretches of open desert towards Las Vegas NV. Suddenly right at Primm, which sits on the Nevada state line, the desert transforms by sprouting into casinos, Fashion Outlets, and fast foods.

A wind surfer sails across the desert

Welcome to Nevada

About 50 miles further, we reach Las Vegas - the ultimate adult playground where nothing is as it may first seem. In fact, it's almost a rite of passage for many upon reaching the age of 21 to spend at least some time in Vegas. This city's checkered past has earned many quips, including:

• Sin City
• Lost Wages
• "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" 

Did you know that Las Vegas has over 15,000 miles of colored outdoor neon lighting? 

Believe in a fake pyramid?

The new Viagra hotel?

Excalibur

New York -New York

Caesar's Palace

Trump Tower

Stratosphere

Shortly after we clear Las Vegas for the open highway, we encounter road construction signs warning us to merge into one lane. As we slowly make our way through, we see a terrible accident in the southwest bound lane. Apparently, someone impatient to get to Vegas (...or diddling with a cell phone) tried to pass in the construction zone and instead rolled down a steep embankment. From the looks of the recovered vehicle, it took some nasty turnovers. Traffic is backed up for miles and miles. Several of the stranded motorists have left their vehicles trying to pass the time. Looks like they've been waiting for hours and still have at least another hour to go.  We are thankful to be going the opposite direction.

Traffic backed up for miles from accident

Ahhh... open highway again

Welcome to Arizona

Just past Mesquite NV, we cross over into Arizona and are soon traveling through the Virgin River Gorge, which is one of the most expensive sections of interstate highway ever constructed.

Emerging from the gorge, we begin to see strata of the colored rocks that we have come to see in southern Utah. We must be nearing the state line.

Colored rock strata

Virgin River

Welcome to Utah!

We reach Saint George UT right around the evening rush hour and are amazed by how much it has grown and how bad the traffic has become, in fact we become skeptical we'll ever clear the outlaying developments for the open canyons promised to us on the Snow Canyon State Park website... but it's true. Just as we pass the city limits sign, the country opens up and we're treated to wide canyons with steep red rock walls.
We're thankful to have called ahead while stuck in the construction zone as the staff has saved us the last open site with hook ups. Although these sites are close together, they do offer great views of the canyon walls. That evening we discover many very nice dry campsites and vow to reserve one the next time we plan on passing though. We make friends with our neighbors including a chatty retired dentist from New York City who now lives in Salt Lake.

Just as we have all just about decided to go to bed, the largest fifth-wheel any of us have ever seen pulls up and attempts to back into their narrow site.  The clearances are very tight and the young couple take almost a half hour to get their enormous camper in place. Needless to say, they have provided the evening's main entertainment for the campground.

In the morning, we get to take a closer look at their parking job to see just how challenging their maneuvers were the night before. Not sure if they'll be planning to return again.

Snow Canyon camp ground

Our campsite

BIG is (not always) better!

It's a gorgeous morning to take the dogs out for a hike. Utah State Parks (and US Forest Service areas) are much more liberal about allowing leashed dogs on hiking trails and we take advantage of the privilege.


After a short rest, we head out going northeast. Saint George is busy making preparations for their annual Ironman tomorrow and we decide to get out of town while the getting is good.