Trip to "the west"

If anyone read Michael's Blog, you will know that we just returned from a trip out west to the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion Nat'l Park and Vegas. It was an amazing trip and I am in awe of nature when I go there, we forget on the East Coast how vast that part of the country is and how we should respect and fear nature and it's elements. The scenery there left me, as we say in the UK, "gobsmacked" !!! My mouth hung open at the sight of Bryce Canyon, don't miss it if you get chance to go to that part of the country. Mike, Jess and her friend Jenna were less than thrilled at the "strenous" (as the guide book said) hike at Bryce but i loved it and wanted more! We really tried to balance out the trip though by going to Vegas at the end and doing absolutely nothing. I lay by the pool and ate, that was about it. Oh, Mike took us to Hoover Dam while we were there which none of us was really interested in but once we got there, wow that is amazing too. Again, - gobsmacked (just wanted to use that word again, isn't it great!?) Jenna learned on that trip to Vegas that those statues that stand with money in front of them are actually real people -she learned that the hard way after "it" moved, I thought I would pee my pants. Jess learned that the strenuous hike is not the most fun, and Mike learned that he's out of shape (his words, not mine). Oh , what did I learn - um, I hate being away from Alex for that long (she stayed with Grandma and Grandad in the UK). I learned that traveling with my Jess is hysterical and that she's mature beyond her years ( i kind of already knew these things but was reminded again) - I learned that we treated the Native Americans like crap (oh knew that too, but was reminded again), and that Vegas is it's own bizarre Disneyworld for grown-ups. Not really my scene (too many sad hookers), but loved Cirque du soleil and the water show at the Bellagio! Oh and about Alex........she LOVED her time over the pond, she was spoiled beyond belief and my parents loved being with her, it's very special to see their relationship develop and it makes me cry every time I think of how lucky Alex is to bond with my Mum the same way I did growing up. Enjoy these few videos and pics from our trip....xx