This trip was a combination of attending a four-day seminar in Phoenix followed by a short three-state vacation trip to places I had never been to before.

I left Kansas City on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 on Southwest Airlines. This was my first time to fly since 1997, thus, the first time to go through the post-9-11 security procedures. From the time I left home to the time I got to my hotel in Phoenix it was six hours, mostly uneventful. I rented a car in Phoenix for the twelve-day stay.

As an adult, I have maintained a Rand-McNally atlas in which I highlight (in blue) all of the highways I have ever traveled on, including those as a child/teenager. The trips as an adult all have an accompanying log (ie. driving times, odometer readings, gallons of gas purchased, hotel and food costs, etc.). This trip gave me many more blue highways. I have now driven to 42 of the 50 states.

This trip was somewhat unplanned, and I paid the price for that. I had in mind key places to visit: Hoover Dam, Las Vegas, Bryce National Park, Zion National Park and Grand Canyon North Rim. That was the extent of my plans except knowing how many miles were between each destination. What I did not plan for was things such as what to see/do once I got there. Also, the extremely high temperatures (110 - 118 degrees each day) plus lack of rain has forest fires all around the area. I knew some highways might be closed because of these fires.

Last year, as I prepared for my vacation in September, I purchased the $50 card that allows the holder to get into all national parks/monuments/etc. at no additional charge. It is good for twelve months from the first day it is used. That really paid off both last September and this July. It is $20 per vehicle per park to get in at the gate. I just showed them my card and went on into the park. Felt like a VIP.

The Bests:

• My Hosts -- Diana and PJ and Derrick and Charlie all welcomed me
• Grand Canyon North Rim -- temperatures and of course the scenery
• St. George UT -- pleasantly surprised by this city

The Worsts:

• The Temperatures -- waaaayyyyy to extreme
• The Tourists -- waaaayyyyy too many
• Las Vegas -- a supersized Branson with extra entertainment venues

The Totals:

• Miles: 0,000
• Driving: 00 hours
• MPG: 00.0
• States: 3 (Nevada, Utah, Arizona)
• National Parks/Monuments: 4 (Hoover Dam, Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon North Rim)
• Pictures/Movies Taken: about 300 (over 200 were "keepers")