(Photo) Hoover Dam.

Piece 1: Las Vegas/Hoover Dam. To begin this trip, we flew into Las Vegas NV.

As a major resort city that features gambling and many other types of entertainment, most metropolitan airports in the U.S. seem to offer a direct flight to Vegas.

We spent one day there; walking the strip and looking at all the beautiful themed hotels. I would say the Luxor (shaped like an Egyptian pyramid) and New York New York (featuring a re-creation of the Manhattan skyline and Statue of Liberty) really stand out.

We were also intrigued by Caesar’s Palace, where daredevil Evel Knieval famously crashed on New Year’s Eve of 1967 trying to jump over the hotel’s fountain riding a heavy Triumph Bonneville motorcycle.

Speaking of fountains, the Bellagio Resort has a fabulous (and free) attraction that involves over 1,200 computer-controlled water nozzles and almost 4,800 lights.

To close out our day, we got tickets to see magician David Copperfield at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino; very entertaining!

There is a lot to see in Vegas; some parts more “family friendly” than others.

We then hopped in our rental car and took a 40 minute drive southeast to Hoover Dam, one of the seven wonders of the industrial world.

Strategically located in the Black Canyon and spanning the Colorado River between Nevada and Arizona, the massive concrete structure was completed in 1936 and stands just over 726 feet high.

The dam impounds Lake Mead, one of the largest reservoirs in the U.S., and supplies water to parts of Arizona, Nevada, and California.

It also generates a significant amount of hydroelectric power for these same three states.

The tour of the dam gives visitors access to some of the original construction tunnels, the powerhouse, and the top of the structure.

Hoover Dam is a fascinating place; spectacular views.

Southern Rim Trail (Grand Canyon)

Piece 2: Grand Canyon Southern Rim/Colorado River Smooth Water Ride. Located in north central Arizona is one of the seven wonders of the natural world, the Grand Canyon.

From Hoover Dam, it’s about a 3.5 hour drive east to the Grand Canyon’s south rim.

Gradually carved out by the Colorado River and weather, the Canyon is an awesome geological creation, and its south rim offers a variety of “stare-worthy” views.

Walking along the rim trail is fun, but can be a little stressful, as you are on a high ledge. Just wear good shoes, stay hydrated, take your time, and watch your step.

When you’re ready for a break, the visitors center on the south rim is a comfortable (and educational) rest stop.

Leaving Grand Canyon National Park, traveling east toward the Painted Desert, we made our way to Page AZ, which has many adventure companies offering float trips and kayaking on the Colorado River launching from Glen Canyon Dam.

We took a half-day smooth water ride; it was wonderful.

Hoodoos in Bryce Canyon National Park

Piece 3: Bryce Canyon/Zion National Parks. We drove north from Page AZ into Utah along U.S. Route 89, then took Scenic Byway 12 east to Bryce Canyon National Park.

What really makes Bryce unique are its tall, thin spires of rock (created by erosion) called “hoodoos”. These formations vary in height; some are 100 feet tall or more.

We concluded our trip by driving about 2 hours southwest from Bryce to Zion National Park.

We rode a shuttle bus through Zion to a popular area called the “narrows”, which is a roughly 25-foot wide gorge with 1,000-foot high walls.

Once at the narrows, we hiked part of a trail there that goes through shallow parts of the Virgin River. A beautiful place, and memorable experience.

NOW…READY TO START PLANNING YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE?

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