DebInTN

Flying into LV, arriving around noon, headed to Bryce Canyon Lodge. Planning to not 'eat out' any more than necessary. Budget trip this year due to husband being laid off - YUK! Where is the best place to stock up between LV and Bryce? Also, any suggestions as to great bargains when we do decide to eat out. (Itinerary: Bryce, Moab, Gr Canyon North Rim, Las Vegas). Thanks, all. Deb

dwooddon

At Exit 120 in Mesquite, NV, there is a Walmart just off the freeway. Walmarts are also at exit 4 and exit 10 in St George, UT. If you don't like Walmart, there is a Smith's Food King (the regional brand of Kroger's) at Nevada exit 122 (turn right one block and turn left). There are also quite a few grocery stores in St George but I don't think any are as convenient to the freeway except an Albertson's at exit 10. Depending on your route to Bryce, there are also Walmarts and grocery stores in Cedar City, UT. The same for Hurricane, UT on the way to Zion.

I'd recommend either Mesquite or St George to stock up. If you stop at the smaller grocery stores in the small towns between St George and Bryce Canyon, you'll pay more and have less from which to choose.

saige

Deb,

First let me say, taking a vacation when your spouse has been laid off is a great move! It's hard to find time to travel in the best of times, so taking advantage of this time to make a positive from a negative is to be commended. Sorry for the job situation, but way to go, making lemonade out of lemons!

Lots of Vegas casinos have great buffets at low prices. They are trying to keep the gamblers in the hotel to spend more money on gaming, so they give them good food at low prices to keep them on site. Look them up on line. Also, I don't know how long you are planning to be in Vegas, but I do know that you can get bargain prices on hotel rooms if you wait until the evening when all the comp rooms for high rollers have been given away and they are trying to fill empty rooms at any price. Go to the front desk and make a deal. If it's not low enough, just go someplace else. You should be able to find some great deals.

I'm so glad you are doing the north rim of the grand canyon. It will be less crowded and no less beautiful than the south rim!

Have a great trip! Saige

utahtea

Exit 10 is just past St. George in Washington, but it's hard to tell where St. George ends and Washington starts. Exit 10 has a lot of choices for shopping and they are all just off the freeway. Albertsons and the Walmart SuperCenter and there is even a Costco if you are a member. We have found that beef purchased in Utah is always better than at home!

Utahtea

emalloy

One suggestion is to buy one of those cheap foam coolers when you arrive and fill it with ice and perishables. When you turn in your rental car, there will probably be a family arriving who could use it so you won't have to feel guilty about wasting money. For a neat, less visited place in the area, look at Cedar Breaks. It is beautiful, close to Bryce and high enough to be cool this summer. There is lodging at Brian Head UT, not far from there and the condos were quite reasonable as it is mainly a ski area and you could do all your meals at home.

RedRock

Bring a can opener from home. A couple of cans of beans, or anything for that matter, on the dash of the car with the sun shining in. Put it there in the morning and by lunch and you will have warm food. We do it all the time when on the road..

DebInTN

Saige - We've had this trip planned for a year. We used FF miles for the flight and have the money already put back for hotels, etc. I have waffled a little bit - thinking that our families will think we have lost our mind, but my husband, who is usually the sane one, insists that if we watch our spending we can do it and as long as we aren't asking anybody for money it's none of their business. So, no eating out for months. And when eating in it's been pretty much beans & rice, and rice & beans. We did splurge for the Natl Prk lodging in Bryce & GCN, but we will otherwise watch our spending. We both decided that it's worth it - just to sit out in the evenings after hiking all day and then look up at the sky at night and wake up to beautiful sunrises - some things are just priceless. I was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, so we were dealing with surgeries, etc, and then him losing his job. Luckily, we were prepared for the layoff - been expecting it for about 7 years. I think we need a break. Like you said - need to make lemonade since we already have a whole pile of lemons. But we have so much to be thankful for. My prognosis is very good - just going to take a while, and hopefully the job market will pick up soon. We've just considered this a challenge - just how cheaply can we do this trip.

RedRock - Solar cooking! What a great idea.

utahtea

DebInTN,

Glad to hear your prognosis is very good. Ok, here are my money saving don't eat out ideas:

Ceral or energy bars and fresh fruit for for breakfast. You can even make hot oatmeal with hot water from the coffee maker.

When we bbq, we cook to have leftovers for the next day. We like cold chicken. Cold beef,pork & chicken can be sliced and made into yummy sandwiches. Buying a roasted chicken at a grocery store is a lot cheaper than eatting out. Canned Tuna or Salmon is good for you and can be used in sandwiches or on a premade salad. There is also store bought deli meats.

Kind of healthy snacks, a regular can of refried beans as a dip for corn chips. Use hot sauce if you like. One summer DH and our boys were just hooked on this combination. We had it for lunch on the road almost every day. I remember we were in Yellowstone that year. It was nice not having to bother with anything put a couple of paper plates and a can opener and we could just relax and enjoy the views whereever we were.

Dried fruit, nuts, crakers, cheese, salamie, are other things to consider.

Have a great trip!

Utahtea