Vegas Vacation

For Darin's 30th birthday we went to Las Vegas and stayed at the Ritz Carlton. The hotel is beautiful, we had a room with a balcony that overlooked Lake Las Vegas and the Ponte Vecchio. We met up with Darin's sister Kathy and enjoyed two shows. Friday night we saw the "Blue Men", which was incredible performance of visual simulations, music, audience participation and a digital narrator. Saturday night we went to "Zumanity" which is a Cirque du Soleil production and it was amazing. It was basically a nude circus act, but not trashy, very artistic and fun. We also went to the Bellagio and checked out the fountain show. We did gamble a little, but we didn't win. Monday morning we went and checked out Hoover Dam. I was shocked by some of the security for a Dam, but this thing is huge.






























































































After Hoover Dam we headed home, the long way, checking out some National Parks. We drove through Zion National Park and camped on the edge of Bryce Canyon National Park. The next morning we headed to Moab, Utah to see the Arches. We ended up renting an ATV and taking our own tour. It was so much fun to ride a 4 wheeler in the desert, surrounded by awesome rock formations and views everywhere we turned.

















































After Moab we headed back to Aspen. It rained the next morning, and gave us enough water in Slauterhouse to squeeze in some kayaking. The river was low, but tons of fun and the fall leaves were beautiful. There is snow on the mountains, but it wasn't too cold to get a little more boatin' in.