Day 48 and 49--Fri--7/31 and Sat 8/1: Kanarraville slot canyon, UT and Circus Circus, Las Vegas

Warning:  Kanarraville slot canyon is so gorgeous that I'm posting a few too many pictures of it :).

We left Fillmore, UT at 7 am and got to Kanarraville, UT at 9 am.  We then started our awesome 4 mile round-trip hike through a stream in a gorgeous, red-rock slot canyon.  This is a must do hike if you’re ever driving near Cedar City, UT.    The water was surprisingly freezing on July 31.   Our feet were really COLD hiking up the stream in the canyon but we loved climbing the two rickety ladders next to small waterfalls, looking at the different shades of red and orange rock in the nearly 100-foot high canyon, We loved walking around corners so narrow at times that even Sarah could touch both walls at the same time with her arms!   After the 3^rd waterfall/2^nd ladder, we turned around and found a natural, rock waterslide into a pool of water in the stream.  Although the water was cold, Sam took the lead and slid down it anyway and got soaked up to his chest.  Not to be outdone, Sarah then took the plunge.  They both did it a few more times—Sarah making sure to have slid one more time than her dad J.  This is a spectacular slot canyon!

We got back in the RV at 12:20 pm and while driving through St. George, UT on the way to Las Vegas, NV, the right rear tire blew out!  It was crazy loud and scary.  We pulled over on the center median on I-15.  Fortunately, the blowout happened where we had cell phone reception in St. George.  So we called our roadside assistance company.   Andrea, Sarah, and Ryan drove the tow car to Wendy’s to get shakes and to get in the air conditioning (95 degrees and humid out) while Sam stayed with the RV while it got fixed.  After getting it fixed and regrouping, we drove to VEGAS BABY!!!  We ended up at Circus Circus at 645 pm, ate the buffet, and then went to play games, gamble, and watch circus acts.  Vegas is always Ryan’s favorite part of our last few trips because he loves Circus Circus.  The kids won stuffed animals and other toys.  All of us played arcade games.  Then Andrea and Sam each traded off gambling for about 1 hour each while the other stayed with the kids.  We ended up down a little but really had a good time.  This was a fun, adventurous day—with a little unexpected tire excitement as well.  

Kanarraville Slot Canyon, UT

One of 3 waterfalls in slot canyon

Gorgeous colors.

Cold water even on July 31!  This was about the deepest water on the hike.

Sarah looks dwarfed in the colorful sandstone canyon.

Exploring.

A small natural waterside into a pool of COLD water.

3rd waterfall of the hike.

Beautiful!

2nd waterfall of the hike.

Canyon so narrow Sarah could touch both walls at the same time.

Day 49--Fri--7/31: Last Day:  Drive home, Las Vegas, NV to La Crescenta, CA

We got on the road around 6:45 am to beat the heat and drove home from Las Vegas. 

What a great trip full of adventure, nature, and family time exploring northern CA, OR, WA, British Columbia and Alberta, Canada, Montana, Idaho, Utah, and Las Vegas.  We drove  ­­­­4,100 miles for 49 days.  All the things we did will be memories that last us a lifetime and we are a much tighter, tougher, and closer family.  We’re all bummed the trip is over but we’re also glad to be back home to see family and friends—and to swim in the pool J.