Virgin River Canyon

Driving Interstate 15 from St. George, Utah, to Las Vegas, Nevada, one is treated to a very special experience.  The road cuts through the Virgin River Canyon in the northwest corner of Arizona.  Although they could have followed the old route 91 around the canyon, the interstate gods decided to give the weary travelers a treat.

And to make a good thing even better, the BLM has built a lovely campground where we stopped and stayed for four days ($8 a day, or $4 if you're old.)

There are some trails in the area, but we were pretty lazy during our stay.  Mostly we just walked around the campground or along the river.  Here's the view of the Virgin River from the day use area.

(I know, it looks pretty much like the first picture.)

When we left today I snapped a couple of pictures out the front window (even lazier.)

Parts of the road required blasting through narrow stretches with towering cliffs.

And sometimes the route looks impassable.

So now we're in Las Vegas but not for the gambling.  Ron's kids are flying in tomorrow.  All three are coming, plus two spouses, and the cutest baby in the world.  And Ron and I are babysitting little Harper on Saturday night while they all go out.  Cool!