9. Nevada and Utah

Arrived in Las Vegas on June 7th, stayed at Duck Creek RV Park, on Boulder Highway, about 9 miles from the Strip. Was over 100 degrees every day, so ran the A/C in the Motorhome constantly.  Used the scooter to get around. Drove to the Strip or downtown (Fremont St.) most days and walked around, but didn't gamble much. Also went to six casinos nearer to the RV park.

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After two weeks was bored and had done my initial planning for Southern California, so decided to go to Death Valley National Park. Drive took three hours bordering on military test sites (Area 51?). Stopped for gas at a "convenience" store and saw this sign on the gas pump.

I did NOT take the free tour.

Spent two nights in Death Valley RV Parks, the first at Furnace Creek and the second at Stovepipe Wells.

Saw  all the sights including Dante's View, Scotty's Castle, Badwater Basin, did two canyon hikes, and drove the entire length of the Valley.  It was way too hot, and one day would have been enough.

Spent the night in Pahrump, NV, 75 miles Southeast of Death Valley. Next day drove to Red Rocks Canyon, 15 miles west of Las Vegas. Got there around Noon, which was too late as I had to drive 200 miles North that day. Did the 13 mile scenic drive but did not get out to look or do any hikes. Definitely want to go back there someday. Camera was giving me lots of trouble in Death Valley and stopped working here so no pictures.

After that, drove back into Las Vegas and bought a new camera, then drove 4 hours North towards Great Basin National Park. Spent the night along the way in Prioche, NV, an old mining town, but did not do any sightseeing.

Next day, drove another 130 miles to the National Park, one of the least visited. Along the way, my bicycle fell off the stand and the front wheel and tire were destroyed. Great Basin National Park's main attractions are not the Basin, but (1) a 12 mile scenic windy drive up from 5,000 to 10,000 feet at the Base of Mount Wheeler, and (2) a tour through Lehman Creek Cavern. Both were really nice, not crowded, and cool temperatures.

Spent the night in Baker, NV, the tiny town next to the National Park. Next day drove 110 miles Southeast to Beaver, UT.  Not much to do in this town, so cleaned the RV inside and out, as it was filthy from the Death Valley sand. Checked the tire air, found that both inside rear tires were flat, and one was ruined. Had been driving on only two rear tires (instead of four) since Las Vegas. $250 fixed the problem. 

Spent the night there, next morning drove to Cedar Breaks National Monument. I was not able to visit there my first time in Utah, as it was still closed due to snow. Drive up to the monument went from 5,000 to 10,500 feet. Did 2 hikes, nice scenery.

Drove down the mountain to the town of Cedar City where I stayed the night. The university there was having a Shakespeare festival so that evening I saw Love's Labour Lost in an outdoor theatre in 95 degree heat. It was boring.

Next day drove South 20 miles to the Kolob Canyons part of Zion National Park. Did a 5 mile hike in 105 degree heat. Nice scenery.

After the hike, drove 30 miles South and spent Friday night in St. George, UT, where it was 100 degrees at 9 pm. Plan to stay in Las Vegas Saturday and Sunday night (June 29, 30), but it is supposed to be 115 degrees, so I decided to stay in a hotel this weekend, and made the reservations on the Internet.

Stayed Saturday night at a no-name hotel 3 long blocks from the Strip, and Sunday night at the real nice Sam's Town on Boulder Highway.

Sam's Town - indoor plaza surrounded by hotel rooms

 The Strip

Monday morning, July 1st, said goodbye to hot, hot Las Vegas, and drove into equally hot Southwest California.