We were ten miles out of Barstow...

Well, what an awesome time we've had since the last post.

We took the big ol' Pontiac V6 and pointed it in the direction of Zion Canyon and Bryce Canyon National Parks. Spent a day in each and could have spent a week in each to be fair. Both are a geologist's dream - Zion with it's massive sandstone cliffs and mountains getting ever closer together as you venture up the canyon, Bryce with its hundreds or thousands of purple and red limestone 'hoodoos', which are eroded pinnacles of rock. Loads of photos to follow, time limit a bit tight in this Californian library though.
We retuned to the 'rape of the senses' (Clare's quote!) that is Vegas and had a great day there yesterday, gambling in it's finest and most opulent casinos.....the Bellagio, Mirage, Caesars' Palace, the Wynn....the list goes on, they all have their penny slot one arm bandits!
We ended up six dollars down after reaching the one-time high of three bucks up. All good though. Me and Clare nearly didn't find a hotel for Saturday night (VERY pricey in Las Vegas - at least 130 bucks a night), but we found this ranch out in the desert with rooms with wood effect carpet on the floors that served us well, and for a lot less money.
Took the bus today to Bakersfield, California, via the desert town of Barstow, where we are now, waiting for the train to Merced tomorrow where we can get a shuttle bus to Yosemite National Park. Our 50-buck National Park Pass has sure had some use recently....

-Si