Getting a little color
After another busy season, we decided to get out of town for a little while and head out West. Laura had never been to either the Grand Canyon or Las Vegas, so we jumped at the opportunity to do both at once.
Our trip started in Phoenix, AZ, and then moved on to Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon, finally ending in Vegas.
Click a picture to see a larger version.
One of our first stops was to the Desert Botanical Garden. There, they have plenty of cacti.
A picture taken from of the huts along the paths of the Garden.
Here is one of the inhabitants of the Garden's butterfly exhibit who was kind enough to stop fluttering for as long as the shutter took to open.
Another fluttery fellow who made the exhibit its home. Thanks to their coloring, these weren't quite as easy to step on accidentally.
The butterflies weren't the only colorful creatures there. We caught this little guy reflecting some rays on a rock.
Laura must have really liked the butterfly exhibit, as she started on her way to becoming one right away.
To give us the full desert experience, the sun was in full force that day, and throughout most of our trip.
Our next stop was to Montezuma Castle.
I can't seem to find the elevator in order to get much closer. Oh well.
On our way up to Flagstaff, we drove through Sedona and the Oak Creek Canyon.
I give general directions to the Canyon, in case you might have missed it otherwise.
We must have made it to the Canyon, as we can't stop grinning.
Here I am hoping that it wasn't my keys that I just heard falling.
Laura poses alongside the Canyon.
A lonely tree holds its ground on the edge of a long way down.
This is as about as close to the edge as we cared to go.
Lots of other people get their chance to take in the Grand Canyon.
A recreation of an early dwelling. Now, of course, it's a gift shop.
On the way to Las Vegas, we stop at the Hoover Dam.
One last shot, and it's off to Vegas.