Bryce-Zion, Day 9, Sept. 13

After another wonderful breakfast at Red Mountain, I participated in another guided morning hike arranged by the resort. We hiked almost 6 miles, which included hiking through the desert, into some small lush canyons, and along a ridge that included a cave. As the hike was guided, I learned a lot about the local geology and plant life. Because these small canyons are the only watering spots for the local wildlife, they close down these canyons to hikers during birthing season so that the local wildlife have a place to birth and raise their young.

Our two days at Red Mountain Resort have been nice. I would definitely recommend this place to others. I hope to return here.

After the hike, Pete and I checked out, had lunch at the resort, and caught the 2 p.m. shuttle from St. George to Las Vegas, where we would spend the night before catching an 8 a.m. flight home tomorrow.  When we got to Las Vegas, it was a culture shock after being being in southern Utah. We literally went from a laid back, zen-like atmosphere to a glitz and “let’s party” atmosphere. 

Because Las Vegas depends so much on tourism, I noticed that the city is doing everything it can to keep the coronavirus in check, including mandatory face masks while indoors (Pete even saw them enforce this rule with guests – something you do not see at home), only four people per elevator, no open bars, and providing complimentary masks and sterilization solutions in rooms. Every one wore masks, without exception.

I was originally going to stay at a Hilton property at the airport, but Pete explained that it may be less expensive to stay on the strip. Come to find out, it was, and much nicer. They are literally giving away rooms on the strip to get people to come to Vegas. I stayed at the Wynn Las Vegas and Pete stayed at its sister property, the Encore Resort. These two properties are the latest mega-resorts developed by Steve Wynn, who was a primary driver to the mega-Resort trend in Vegas, starting with his development of the 3,000 room Mirage at a cost of $630 million in 1989. He subsequently developed Treasure Island and The Bellagio, which is where I stayed nine years ago, the only other time I have been to Vegas. 

Opened in 2005, the Wynn Las Vegas was constructed at a cost of over $2.7 billion. It and it’s sister property, the Encore Resort are the largest and second largest resorts in the world to have earned a Five-Star status on the 2020 Forbes Travel Guide.  Vegas itself has more AAA Five Diamond hotels than any city in the world. To give one a perspective on the two resorts’ impact on the local economy, before COVID, they employed over 9,000 people.

With a current MSA population of over 2.2 million, Las Vegas has come a long way since being established as a stopping point between Salt Lake City and Las Angeles in 1905.  It even has an NFL team, the Las Vegas Raiders, enjoying their new home by beating the Charlotte Panthers today. 

Speaking of sports, did anyone else watch that incredible men’s final match between Thiem and Zverev, which Thiem won in a tie breaker in the 5th set? I did, while sipping my cocktail before dinner.

We had dinner at an Italian restaurant at the Venetian Hotel with a fellow Backroads traveler. From San Francisco, he was staying an extra day in Vegas to escape the terrible smoke that is plaguing San Francisco right now due to the wildfires nearby.

I have said this many times. I love the cycling, hiking, culture, food and lodging that Backroads curates for us on our trips. But what I love most about these trips is meeting other interesting people, who themselves have fascinating lives, stories, and viewpoints. So, travel not only broadens our worldview, but also offers all a way to connect with others in a truly meaningful way.