Trip through the Southwest
 

Wife and I just completed a wonderful trip to the beautiful Southwest - from Sedona where we stayed at the wonderful Boots and Saddles - for two days - Nestled just under Thunder Mountain and Chimney Rock, giving us the perspective of the old West - and then on to Flagstaff where we stayed at Starlight Pines Bed & Breakfast - great two days there using it as a base going to the Grand Canyon and then on to the splendid Dreamkatchers Bed and Breakfast at Lake Powell where we stayed six days - again making it our home base - and arching out each day to another location to see the sites - one day to Bryce Canyon - one day to Zion and one Day to Monument Valley and then a couple of days to enjoy the boat tours at Lake Powell - Rainbow Bridge is not to be missed - and the Colorado Float Trip was truly awesome - so much more to do in that area then we had imagined - we could have spent another three days easily.

As you can see we do Bed and Breakfasts rather than major chain hotels - reason is that if it is done well - it feels just like an extension of your own home and family and you have hosts there that can give you the insight on what to do and see and get the best out of your hard earned dollar. Boots and Saddles -was romantic and fantastic scenery - Starlight Pines had wonderful hosts and gourmet breakfasts - Dreamkatchers - booked our tours as well as giving us a home away from home, making us feel like part of their family, great views there as well with fantastic breakfasts - We loved all three bed and breakfasts and will go back to each of them again and again on our anniversary

I am not crazy about B&B's but we did stay at a good one just north of Monument Valley, called Valley of the Gods. It is in a mini monument valley. I hope to see Rainbow Bridge sometime. I have seen most of the major Arhes and Bridges in Utah except this one.

You can only get to Rainbow Bridge by boat - either take a tour boat with other tourists or rent your own boat - if you rent your own boat you can do down some of the slot canyons around the area - it is just amazing - one of the best tours we have ever done to date - Lake Powell for us completely outshines both Lake Meade and Lake Tahoe - its not to be missed - I have stayed as well at the Valley of the Gods and know the hosts there - great people - B&Bs are up close and personal not everyone wants to travel and meet new people - which was one of the reasons we liked Dreamkatchers - it was built just for that reason - which made it more comfortable for those that do not like that up close and personal feeling - they only had three bedrooms - but three areas you could go and be to yourself if you wanted - unlike some of the other B&Bs - try and see Rainbow Bridge if you can - its one of the Natural Wonders of the World.

You can hike to the Rainbow Bridge but is is not an easy hike. ALso, my friend who did it said the trail was poorly marked so he didn't really recommend it.

bigtyke - you are absolutely correct - I had forgotten that I had read about that in a guide book - and as you mentioned it is poorly marked and rarely used and you have to be in good condition - I believe it was a 17 mile hike or so - renting a boat or going on a boat tour and leaving the driving and exercise to them was the way for us to go - wanted to have the energy to do other things for the rest of our trip - thanks for bringing that to my attention.