6/9/09 - Part 2 - The day of the Hoodoo

So today I decided to revisit Bryce Canyon National Park and then head over to Las Vegas. Here's the route.I passed through Bryce Canyon some years ago and I remember it being amazing. The sights were tremendous. And who can pass up a Hoodoo?

Pictures from the drive to the park.
Panguitch Lake
Random prairie fire. SMOBeK!
You looking at me?
Yes, you drive through the rock...
Pictures from the park. It was worth every cent of the $25.00 entry fee
I'm driving though the park and I see folks helicopter logging. They're clearing fallen trees. They were too fast for me so I couldn't take a snap shot. Check out the link to see them.I had an encounter with a deer and a Utah Prairie Dog, but they sneaked away before I could stop and power up the camera. I got a nice closeup of some leaves with the deer...

After this scenic excursion I headed southwest to Sin City. The weather was cloudy and rainy all the way. This is the best picture from that segment.
I stop by a Mickey D's and book a cheap hotel using Hotwire. I get the Tuscany suites and casino.

I get there, try to check in and the lady says they charge a fee of $11.00 to every guest on top of the room fee for amenities like the pool, spa etc. I ask the sensible question. What if I will not use any of those services? She says it doesn't matter. All guests, not matter what they pay for the room, will be charges the extra 11 bucks. I point out to her that in that case the "fee" should be part of the room charge since no one can avoid it.

She looks at me like I just landed from another solar system. I explain that if I pay $30.00 and there's a mandatory fee of $11.00 then the room fee is 41.00+ tax. It doesn't matter what you call it, the bottom line is that it raises the total room charge. Slowly, like somebody is twisting the knob on a halogen lamp, I see the light go on.

Didn't raise too much of a fuss, because the even with the lousy 11 bucks the room charge was VERY reasonable.

Damage: Poker tables -30, Video poker +20. Not bad for a few hours play. Had fun, went back to the room and slept.

Random thoughts:

• Is it possible for the hotel to print the building letters where we can see them?
• Lots of deer out feeding early in the morning.
• It's chilly at 10,000'
• Panguitch has changed since I last visited. I remember a sleepy village. Now it's sprawled and seems more run down
• Livestock update: Left 289 +8 deer and 1 coyote in the middle of I15 looking to cross, right 484 +13 llama
• Listening to: Running Blind by Lee Child