The Great Road Trip WEST

Bryce Canyon

During our Covid time in the United States, some of us just had to get out of our homes and travel to see the grandchildren.  When you live in the Midwest and have little ones in Southern California and are requested to drive instead of fly, that's exactly what you do!  There is NOTHING more wonderful than seeing the little one's eyes upon arrival after three nights and four days of travel!  "YOU'RE FINALLY HERE" will always resound in my heart!  In all honesty, I was OK with driving but the adventure turned out to be a GREAT experience.  First night, Springfield, MO.  Second night, Amarillo, TX.  Third night, Sedona, AZ. 

On our way to our accommodations in Sedona, we made a three hour stop at the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest.  UNBELIEVEABLE.  The Painted Desert looked to me like a mini Grand Canyon!  Sedona!  If you have never been, it would be a great winter getaway from cold and snow!  Hiking amidst the red rocks is incredible.  AND you have to find the Desert Flour Bakery!  THE BEST SCONE I have ever had.  OH, and the croissant.  AND DO NOT FORGET ABOUT THE FRENCH BOULE.  (Can you tell I love eating!) Southern California is beautiful in its own way!  The Pacific Ocean is just spectacular!  The little ones, however, are my MAIN ATTRACTION!  

We had a change of plans as we were to see Zion, Arches, Capitol Reef and Bryce on our way to Salt Lake City.  We were able to salvage our National Park travels and at least able to see Bryce Canyon.  ABSOLUTLEY INCREDIBLE!  I honestly have never seen anything like this in my life.  I've traveled a lot....nothing like this.  We had all of three hours to see as much as we could.  Inspiration Point.....don't miss it!  Left Bryce and headed north to the BRAND NEW Salt Lake City International Airport to turn in our rental MINI VAN!  :)  To those of us who raised our kids driving mini vans it was truly a blast from our past and EXCEPTIONALLY comfortable!  3600 miles!  

We were then met by Snow Country Limousine and driven to Park City, UT.  Elevation 8200 feet.  More on that in a moment.  We booked two nights at the STEIN ERIKSEN LODGE.  Again, absolutely beautiful! The customer service was truly over the top.  The scenery even more!  Our "room" consisted of private hot tub, teak deck furniture, a dining room table that could seat 10, living room with  wood burning fireplace, completely appointed kitchen with sparkling appliances, TWO FULL BATHROOMS, King Bed as well as a Murphy Bed in the living room AND WHITE ROBES!  If you want to be pampered, consider STEIN ERIKSEN LODGE.  BUT do NOT sit in the hot tub for over an hour on your first night OR drink a bottle of Cabernet with your spouse.  NOT A GOOD OUTCOME!  Enjoyed the 5 star Spa and a two mile hike up the mountain on the next day!  DRINK WATER!  

Snow Country Limousine returned for us and drove us back to SLC for our return 3.5 hour FLIGHT to Cincinnati.  While we experienced again the efficiency, safety, and Covid cleanliness of Delta Airlines, it was not the same adventure as driving across our wonderful country. Let me know if I can share more information about this most memorable travel adventure with YOU!