New state..

We enjoyed our stopover in Las Vegas and it will certainly make it easier on Friday when we arrive for the concert, as we know where we are staying and where the venue is.  Sadly I didn't make my fortune, actually lost $10.00 at my first experience of gambling!
Today was another spectacular journey. We drove across the dessert to the Arizona/Utah boarder.  It was fascinating to see a whole new town , Mesquite, that had been built just inside the Nevada state line, I guess to make use of the  more relaxed gambling laws.  It was like an oasis in the desert with palm trees, green grass on the golf courses and large new homes.  We went to Walmart to stock up on food and it is clearly a popular place for retirees, very different from Vegas.
Once in Utah the atmosphere changed, as did the time zone (+ one hour) again with the towns seeming to be much wider and better cared for.  Travelling though St George we saw a stunning cathedral, its white exterior contrasted against the red cliffs behind it.
We arrived at Zion National Park early afternoon and stopped in a delightful picnic area for lunch, where we were able to watch elks wandering around, some with their babies.  We had forgotten how stunning Zion is with the different colours in the rocks and the soaring cliffs.  We drove to the end of the canyon and noticed a significant drop in the temperature - from shorts and sandals to longs, shoes and socks.  The late afternoon light highlighted the granduer of the environment.  As we meandered our way out of the canyon, we stopped and did a short walk to the Weeping Rock' where water  squeezed out of the rock and drips down to create a curtain of drops.  It was interesting to see maiden hair fern growing as the temperatures are pretty extreme.  An absolute highlight was seeing and hearing a woodpecker going about its business.
Leaving the Park we drove up a windy, steep, zig zag road and then through a tunnel that was 1.1 miles long.  There were no lights and only the occasional whole in the rock to prove ventilation.  It was a relief to get out the other end without any earthquakes or other mishaps!  The other side of the tunnel provided some amazing views of still more incredible rock formations.
As we drove though the dusk we saw more elk crossing the road and grazing on either side.  We travelled to Penguitch which is near the turn off to Bryce Canyon, our destination for tomorrow.  The town was pretty much closed for winter but we did find a small supermarket which provided dinner.  Ready for bed in our cosy, warm motel.