Back to the promised land

So I had a conference in Las Vegas... Things have changed since I was last there in 2001. I was never a fan of the city to begin with. somehow, I'd been there 10 times previous (though still managed until this time never to spend a night there). I've avoided it like the plague. But I jumped at the chance to get back out there. I mean, who wouldn't? Lots of people, all the "dinging" from the non-stop slots, smokey casinos, spending $ everywhere (surprisingly they're not charging for use of the toilets... yet), and of course, In n' Out burgers (mmm... animal style). Turns out though, there isn't just the 1 In n' Out in the town. Now they have at least 3!!!


Really though, a trip to Vegas meant that I got a chance to get outside and visit friends from one of my favorite places on earth - Zion National Park. Before that, I got to dust off the climbing shoes and go up the rock at Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area, just north of Vegas. Thanks to Brian for getting me vertical.

Then it was off to Zion. Friends, hiking Bridge Mountain to see an arch, more friends and kids, meeting new friends, horsehoes (which I play badly!), country-line dancing (thanks Julie!), and a great inadvertant half marathon down the canyon the week before I was supposed to run my race. Thanks for changing the course of my life Zion people.