Zion National Park 23, 24, 25 April

We left the flat dry desert of  Las Vegas for Utah and three nights at Zion National Park.

Debbie greats Bill at the RV park.   Dan's A frame camper was the smallest vehicle in the park by a  long way.  Our hotel was conveniently situated in the same grounds and we were surrounded by magnificent canyons.

Zion National Park is indescribably beautiful and photos do not do it justice.

This was a waterfall on out first hike to the lower, middle and upper Emerald Pools.

Beautiful vistas in every direction.

Here we are at the Middle Pool area.

The next hike was following the river to The Narrows.  From there you needed special gear to  wade through parts of the trail - gave that part a miss.

Bill, Joy, Dan and Debbie by the river.

Los Vegas 20, 21, 22 April

After leaving La La Land we spent three nights in the crazy world that is Los Vegas.  We thought we would leave the mad freeways of LA behind, but the drive was a nightmare.  Seems everyone goes to Las Vegas on Friday.  Never the less, it was good fun when we arrived. 

Our amazing hotel, The Bellagio.

The Forum, Caesar's Palace.

Paris!!

One of the free outdoor shows, The Sirens, at Treasure Island.

                                                                                    

         Inside the Miracle Mile shops.

Debbie and Dan joined us at Bellagio on Sunday and we went to a show Legends at Harrah's Casino.  It was great fun - an impersonation show staring Elvis, Dean Marten, Celine Dion, Michael Jackson (amazing) and an extraordinary Lady Gaga.

In the indoor spring gardens at Bellagio Hotel.

Bellagio bees.

The magnificent Dale Chihuly glass ceiling in the foyer of Bellagio.

 Another photo of the indoor spring garden. It certainly rivals Floriade.

Ella, Kirk and Jarrah and Santa Monica Beach

After the Getty Centre we went over to visit Ella, Kirk and cute little Jarrah. Debbie was also there.  It was great to see them in their Pasadena home and later we all went out to dinner.

Next day we battled the Los Angeles traffic again to go for a bike ride around Santa Monica Beach and Venice Beach. Wouldn't write home about the beaches, but the ride was fun.  It was a very misty day by the beach.

The skate park at Venice Beach.

Entertainment on Santa Monica Pier.

A sea gull checking out the pier.

Houses right on the beach in Santa Monica.

The Getty Centre

      

The Getty Centre is a wonderful cultural experience created by J Paul Getty and opened in 1997.  It is an art museum, gardens, sculptures, fantastic architecture and a research and conservation centre all in one. Love it, love it, love it!!! However driving there through LA’s crazy freeways in our hire car was a bit of a nightmare.

 This is part of the building, high up in the Los Angeles' hills and accessible by a tram.  Richard Meier was the architect.

View from the top.

Bill enjoying coffee on one of the terraces.

Donato and Gregorio d’Arezzo, The Story of Saint Catherine 1330.

One of the rooms that have been set up to represent rooms from various European eras.

A new acquisition, JosephTurner's painting of Ancient Rome, Campo Vaccino 1839.

Vincent Van Gogh's Irises, 1889.

One of the many sculptures.

  

Los Angeles 17, 18, 19 April

Travels in the USA      

Here we are in Los Angeles, Hollywood in fact, so the first afternoon and into the evening, we walked along Hollywood Boulevard.  

Sid Grauman's 1927 Chinese theatre, where most Hollywood premieres take place. 

Hugh Jackson is amongst the many stars who have signed their names outside the theatre.

We did a tour of the inside of the theatre - a beautiful and interesting place.

Superstitious stars (and many apparently are) rub the shoulders of this girl before their movie is shown.

  The Hollywood and Highland complex next to the Kodak theatre where the Oscars are held.