Day 8 - A week today!

We started our trip exactly a week ago today, and we said goobye to Vegas this morning as we set off on our way to Sedona.  The two things we never actually did in Vegas this time were gamble or visit the Grand Canyon - ah well we did it the first time around and I'm sure we'll go back again someday!

Just before leaving Vegas we couldn't resist a quick stop off at the Little White Wedding Chapel, where we got married two years ago, for sentimental reasons.  The last time we were back there I barely remember the place as I was in an excited haze of prenuptial bliss so this gave me a chance to look around the chapel properly.

 

They allowed us to take a few snaps inside - we even tried to recreate one wedding picture!  They did ask if we wanted to renew our vows but as it's only been two years and we're not Heidi Klum and Seal we figured we'll give it a few more years if we decide to do it.

Seated back in the beast (Oli still makes his way around my side of the car before realising there is no steering wheel!) we headed out of Vegas and onto the highway for our 300 mile drive.

There was a lot of open road surrounded by amazing landscapes of huge rock formations - one minute there's nothing around for miles and miles and then a McDonalds is on the side of the road - totally nuts view if you wish to stop and have a big Mac!  It took us a little longer than planned to reach Sedona as we stopped on route a few times for photo ops and of couse toliet breaks - I must have the smallest bladder in the world....note to self must contact the Guinness Book of Records to check if I qualify!!!

We hadn't booked a hotel (and haven't done now until we pick up the Winnebago on the 25 June!) so we are playing it by ear - exciting yet slightly scary.  We first stopped off at a beautiful ranch with wood cabins, unfortunately they were all fully booked until 9 June - okay so maybe this booking on the spur of the moment thing won't be as easy as we thought!  

We then go further down the mountain to another log cabin site, they have two cabins available complete with fire places and jacuzzi, the hotel staff are super friendly and let us check out the cabin before we book.  This was an adventure in itself, walking through the wooded grounds with a stream running through a creek, I thought for a moment a grizzly bear would pop out!  The cabin was amazing, 3 bedrooms, ensuite, massive tv, outdoor jacuzzi, slightly out of our price range for one night but fab just to see it:-)  

We eventually decided upon an independent hotel called Orchards Inn, we asked for a room with a kingsize bed (Oli being nearly 6'2 and all), as the receptionist was checking the computer for availability I noticed she was wearing fab bright pink nail varnish and genuinely complimented her on it.  She seemed slightly shy but then said she could put us in one of their suites and discount it to the normal room rate and give us two vouchers for complimentary breakfast and a 20% discount voucher at their restaraunt - blimey I didn't even have to mention the "we're celebrating our 2nd wedding anniversary' blah blah blah, how nice of her:-)  The room overlooks the red rock national park, it's too dark now to take a photo but will do tomorrow - Oli said it would be nice to watch the sunrise...it's at 5:15am so better get an earlyish night!  Night night!

Oli and the Beast!

Miles driven so far 600, 9,400 to go (approx)!!

J&O