zacky said:

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"Then, we drove to Capitol Reef. We didn't take 70 as Utahtea suggested, so that may be faster. Randy Austin, at Austin's Chuckwagon Motel suggested a more direct route (he said). It took us about 4 hours or so."

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"Vegas to Cap Reef - I 15 to Route 20 N - 20 N to 89N; 89N to 62 N; 24 E is a half mile from Torrey; go thru towns of Lowa and Becknell; next town in Torrey; hotel is on Main St. on left; you can't miss it."

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zacky,

The route you took is 340 miles & you would have to average 85 miles an hour to do it in 4 hours or so. I've been on all those roads and you can't drive them that fast.

Utahtea

Otherwise, Great Trip Report!

Utahtea

Zacky,

It seems like we just missed each other:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...p;tid=34497636

Great report and now that you've made your reasons for disliking the Bryce cabins clear, I totally understand what you mean. We got there expecting the rooms to be as generic and dirty as at the El Tovar at GC, so for us it was a pleasant surprise...

Regarding the anasazi ruins in Boulder, I must say that I found them very well presented and informative - obviously they were not dramatic cliff dwellings though. The information the staff there gave on Escalante NM was also very good.

If you go back, you must try the Diablo Cafe there - exceptional food!

It's funny about Vegas - we stayed at Bellagio and were far more impressed by the lobby at The Hotel @ Mandalay Bay (though not by the rest of the Mandalay Bay complex, didn't see the pools though) - would most probably stay there if I went back, although the location is not as good.

I REALLY want to go back now and try some of the more challenging hikes you took!

Andre

Oops,

Cafe Diablo is in TORREY, not Boulder... sorry about that!

Andre

Idnas,

Sorry for the delay..traveling this weekend.

You cannot put ice in the ones that I have seen. But..what I do is fill it 1/3 or so and put it in the freezer overnight. I then fill the remaining space with water when almost ready to go and viola! Ice water.

In Zion, we filled a container with ice the night before and poured that into the camelback. Didn't last as long but it will keep you hydrated.

FYI to all and WARNING!!!!! Utahtea - this message is especially meant for you. My husband got a speeding ticket in Garfeild County on the way to Cap Reef from Vegas going on one of those roads which I can't remember right now. We felt like we were in a Deliverance movie and the banjos were gonna start strummin' if you get my drift. There was a wind storm and dust blowing everywhere. Not a place with a lot of people, and forgive me for syaing it, but Garfield County seemed a little, hmm, hmm, rural, to say the least. Anyway, WATCH OUT for cops in that area and on that route that I suggested. Randy at Austin's Chuck Wagon Motel (that name still cracks me up!) told us that the cops there are a bit odd. He got a ticket there going ONLY TWO MILES over the speed limit. There, that is my word of warning to all of you.

Have fun, good luck AND I wish I could go back right now!!!!!

Ahhhh...so you were flying ;)

Utahtea