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Paula in MN Forum All-Star
Joined: Nov 25 2006 Location: Minnesota
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Posted: May 24 2010 at 6:29am | IP Logged
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..and boy will my arms be tired (ba-da-bum)
My 11yo will be coming with me, and we'll only be there a few days. Other than surprising my family out there, where should we go and what should we do?
How far is it to the Grand Canyon? Hoover Dam?
Any ideas for me?
__________________ Paula
A Catholic Harvest
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guitarnan Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005 Location: Maryland
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Posted: May 24 2010 at 6:51am | IP Logged
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If you have a car, I highly recommend Hoover Dam. They recently renovated the museum and it's a really interesting experience.
For fast food, I suggest In-n-Out Burger. They only make burgers and fries (and shakes, yum). There are several in Las Vegas.
__________________ Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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Paula in MN Forum All-Star
Joined: Nov 25 2006 Location: Minnesota
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Posted: May 24 2010 at 6:57am | IP Logged
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I just printed out the directions to Hoover Dam!
This whole trip is a surprise. My mom and her husband moved out there last week and are staying in my aunt's guesthouse until they find their own house to buy. My brother will be out there for a conference, so he is going to my aunt's for dinner Thursday night along with several cousins.
My dh surprised dd11 and myself with tickets last night, so we are going to drive to their house for dinner on Thursday and surprise them.
I'm thinking she and I will love visiting the Dam that day, before they plan the rest of our time for us!
__________________ Paula
A Catholic Harvest
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guitarnan Forum Moderator
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Posted: May 24 2010 at 7:50am | IP Logged
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We had a great time. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. And don't forget to check out the new bridge they are building across the canyon...not for the faint of heart!
Enjoy your trip!
__________________ Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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Maggie Forum All-Star
Joined: Dec 01 2007 Location: N/A
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Posted: May 24 2010 at 9:22am | IP Logged
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I think you will find Zion Canyon and Bryce Canyon closer than the Grand Canyon.
Personally, my husband and I both loved Zion Canyon a lot more than the Grand Canyon. Zion is breathtaking. (I did a short 1.5 hour horseback riding trail through--that was pretty cool!). There is so much to see here!!!
Bryce Canyon is just so unique and cool...we loved the hikes there, too. We would have stayed over night there, too if our schedule (and inn vacancies) allowed.
All three canyons are so uniquely different. I guess it depends on what you like.
At both, there are easier hikes to take with children.
Zion is such a gem--try not to miss it! I think it is about 3 hours from Vegas?
I would recommend staying in the Lodge at all three canyons if possible, if you can find room, which can be hard to come by. We walked in the day of at the Grand Canyon and found a room there that had a spectacular view! In fact, they had no room available, and as we were at the counter, the phone rang and someone canceled! Woo hoo! We got a room. :) That was a splurge, but a memory we still treasure to this day.
For Zion Canyon (we did not stay in the lodge there), there is a little town close by with a lovely inn called the Desert Pearl Inn. The views from the inn are utterly amazing. And the inn is very nice.
PM me if you have other questions! We went 4 years ago...with our 1yo in tow. She loved being in daddy's hiking backpack.
Enjoy!
__________________ Wife to dh (12 years) Mama to dd (10) ds (8), dd (1), ds (nb) and to Philip Mary (5/26/09), Lucy Joy (12/6/09), and Margaret Mary (3/6/10) who entered Heaven before we had a chance to hold them.
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Maggie Forum All-Star
Joined: Dec 01 2007 Location: N/A
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Posted: May 24 2010 at 9:24am | IP Logged
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Also--I was really impressed by Lake Meade (sp)...I think the dam there is actually bigger than Hoover Dam? Not sure, though...
I am jealous!! It is sooooo gorgeous out there!! And what a great time of year to go!!
__________________ Wife to dh (12 years) Mama to dd (10) ds (8), dd (1), ds (nb) and to Philip Mary (5/26/09), Lucy Joy (12/6/09), and Margaret Mary (3/6/10) who entered Heaven before we had a chance to hold them.
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Mackfam Board Moderator
Non Nobis
Joined: April 24 2006 Location: Alabama
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Posted: May 24 2010 at 5:37pm | IP Logged
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I have absolutely NO ADVICE...but I just *had* to pop in here to tell you what an absolutely FUN trip this sounds like, Paula! God bless your dh for being so generous!
Praying that your trip is just wonderful! You deserve it!
__________________ Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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