Un-gambling Las Vegas.(I)

So, here you are! Back from glamorous Las Vegas. Guess what, you can scratch Ceasar's Palace and the MGM Grand off the bucket list once and for all! Some feat, right? I know, you spent $4000 in a week and that's not counting airfare and lodging. But it was worth it, was it?!

Let's see.

Say, you can now proudly tell your friends about Sin City's "wonders", the mega jackpots and the spellbinding superstores! You can even brag about how many beers you drank! What the hell! For free! And, the girls! Wow! Some girls! You've got plenty to brag about, don't you?!

Not so fast, my friend! For you most probably have a smartass friend bound to crash your party! And, sadly, the minute you begin telling everyone about your casino adventures, your buddy, the party pooper, will innocently open his big mouth. That's when that stinking you-know-what hits the fan. He wants to see the pictures you took at Hoover Dam.

Uh? Where? What? No, you didn't take any. Actually, you are pretty sure you did not visit THAT particular casino, but your wife probably did, that is, during one of her many shopping trips with the girls. Anyways, that Hoover-whatever-Dam is most certainly off the Strip, isn't it?! Because you walked up and downLas Vegas Boulevard from one end to the other and never saw it!

Well, bad news! That Hoover-whatever is not precisely a casino and your smartass friend knows that. You don't! Don't be depressed, though. For you're hardly alone.

Sin City is, by far, the most successful manufacturer of stories like yours, my friend. Every single year, millions arrive in the city just to go back home a week or two later with nothing more than empty pockets and cheap bling bling memories.

I know, you're wondering by now what's there to see other than casinos. You're not alone here, either! FYI, there's a LOT TO SEE, with big capitals! And, guess what?! Just around the corner and waaaayyyyy cheaper than four grands!!! Like that Hoover-whatever!

I'll get back to the Dam later. For now, let's just try North of Las Vegas.

Say, you're not that good at planning ahead. Yet, on your first full day in the city, you could have googled Zion National Park, for instance. Wow, it's just two hours away! Well, if you drive nonstop, that is. I doubt it, though.

There's Mesquite on the way and that world-famous Tripoint, the NV-AZ-UT border, too. Plus, along the way, I don't see how are you going  to miss places like this gas station:

Or this old silver mine:

Make it five hours one way. Worthy, though.

Now, Mesquite. I'd say Mesquite, 80 miles north of Las Vegas, shouldn't even count as a real city. Its population is just short of 20 000. It will surprise you, though, for it is a place of a striking natural beauty.

Firstly, just getting there from Las Vegas is a very refreshing ride, for sure. That's even more so during the late months of the summer.

Once in town, breathtaking views of the surrounding desert which magnificently blends eye-popping golf courses with the most peaceful neighborhoods makes you wonder why is it you don't live there.

Golf course

Retirement community

From here, you are ready to cross the border into Arizona. There is nothing there while cruising this piece of desert other than an old ghost town with 500 residents that doesn't even show up in the maps anymore. There is a sign, though. So, you won't miss it!

And, there is this cactus, too.

And, this border marker, which has been there for a long time and it tells you you're trapped in between Nevada, Arizona, and Utah.

By the way, don't listen to the know-it-alls! It may be the desert, but it gets really cold up here. So, if you're coming from sunny Miami you better plan your trip way before winter. It's cheaper, too.

Anyways, it doesn't take too long to cross the top of the triangle. In a blink of an eye, you land in Mormon territory for Utah is not even an hour away.

Have you ever seen a real buffalo nickel live and kicking? If you haven't, you will. And, you will be able to feed them, too. So, forget the MGM Grand! Now you've got a picture of a real life buffalo. Actually, lots of them. They are not friendly, though! Careful!



Right over the border, St. George looks like a doll house. Exceptionally clean, right off a 50's movie, full of old style diners which offer delicious home-made food! I dare you to pass on a steak dinner at any of this joints!

While in St. George, keep in mind you're in Mormon town. Thus, churches and temples abound. Some of are quasi monuments of striking beauty.

Mormon temple

From St. George, you are off to Springdale and you better get ready to be teleported to your great great grandparents' world! That old it is! The town serves as a spectacular welcome to Zion National Park!

I almost forgot. If after visiting the park, you, your wife, and kids are too tired to drive back to the comfort of that fancy Las Vegas hotel Springdale may have a couple of surprises ready for you. Just not the bling bling!

For one, there is a Holiday Inn Express in town! But, wait! It's not your regular continental breakfast motel! Actually, it is completely different!

Holiday Inn Springdale, UT

And, what a view from the pool, my friend!

View from the pool

Dining in town is an experience itself if you really like good food. Shopping, too. The town is a giant showcase of hand-made Indian products. Eight years ago, I  bought a leather belt at one of the countless little stores that cover most of the town. I still have it and, to tell you the truth, it has outlived a bunch of its "fancy" mega malls cousins.

Seriously, it's the coolest place on Earth this little town of Springdale.

Pioneer Restaurant & Lodge

Diners have curious names, for one, like this one, Pioneer, as a reference to the early settlers. You've got the Brew Pub, the Bit & Spur Saloon, the Switchback Grill & Trading, although this one "trades", too.

By the way, if you didn't want to leave your dog behind, Blondie's Diner doesn't mind at all. Bring your pup along!

Store names are not shy, either. Start with the Canyoneering Outfitting, the Lazy Lizard Boutique, and the Toaquim's Village Gift Shop.

Now, to the park. First tip: don't drive all the way up. You may find yourself heading back into town because, guess what, tons of other people decided to drive, too, and they got there earlier. It looks pretty much like this any given day:

Avoid the hassle! Just driving up the mountains can be tiresome.

Services up here are first-class starting with the free shuttle loop from Springdale to the park and back. It runs non-stop every 10 minutes or so.

It's a pretty cool ride and you are free to relax, breath, and forget about life for a while. Plus, I guarantee you, you will need all your energies for when you get up there.

Shuttle to Zion

Off to the park we go!

w.dominguez

www.thinkbucket.us

Note: This story is not intended to be an official guide or any guide at all for that matter. This is a simple recollection of personal memories put together so I don't forget I was once somewhere!