After dropping Jeanine at the airport, I need to switch into work mode and make a brief presentation to our sales team before our big trade show begins on Monday. As soon as that obligation is satisfied, I am back in the rental car and headed for Lake Mead National Recreation Area. 

This morning, we got up bright and early to make the two-hour drive back to Vegas so Jeanine could catch a flight back to chilly Boston. Having driven to Hurricane in complete darkness, the return trip was a completely different and thrilling experience. 

After having diner at the Zion Lodge, we head back to Hurricane, vowing that we will return to this park with the kids someday soon. 

All the canyons in Zion have been formed over the eons by water carving its way through the ancient sea bed. Flash floods are a real danger here and a small steam can turn into a raging river in a matter of minutes. 

Water and vegetation continue to shape the environment here and offer beauty in their own right. 

Hard to believe that these trees have taken root and thrived in this setting. 

Even the most simple rock face is a study in color and geometry. 

Ancient water dripping from Weeping Rock having taken thousands of years to make its way through the rock. 

This rock formation had the appearance of a whirlpool at its base. 

Everytime you turn around there is a magnificent view better than the last. 

We made extensive use of the park shuttle bus but also took three relatively easy hikes (Jeanine is still recovering from her foot surgery). Here, we pause at the upper Emerald Pool. 

In addition to the breathtaking vistas, there was plenty of interest on a macro level. Click on the photo for a closer view of this pair. 

Given our single day in the park, we were blessed with exquisite weather. 

The colors and texture of the rock formations are unbelievably varied and beautiful. 

My photographs, at this resolution, do not do justice to the grandeur of this park. 

After spending the night in Huricane, Utah, we got an early start on our one-day visit to Zion National Park. 

After we toured old Las Vegas, we wound up at the MGM where Jeanine again flirted with the one-arm bandits. Here we were treated by Kris and Rob to front row seats for an evening of magic with David Copperfield. The show was fantastic and many of the illusions simply defy explanation. 

Jeanine wanted to meet an Elvis impersonator at a drive-thru wedding chapel. In Vegas, this kind of wish is easily granted and with Rob’s expert guidance it took just a few minutes to find such an opportunity. 

Later in the afternoon, Jeanine was drawn to the slot machines, the bigger the better. She was able to net several dollars of profit while entertaining the rest of us with her down to the last bet luck. Although my understanding of probability theory generally dissuades me from gambling, I decided to throw caution to the wind. I netted a whopping 400% gain and decided to quit while I was ahead. It should be noted that this amazing feat was achieved with a single play on a nickel slot machine. 

Many of the other exhibits were just as fascinating and we enjoyed our brief visit under the ocean. 

Naturally, we encountered many sharks at very close range. 

The tour features an underwater transparent tube that takes you through the aquarium’s main holding tank. 

At the Mandalay Bay hotel we took the Shark Reef tour and met this rare aligator as we entered the exhibit. 

This morning we visited a number of the Las Vegas strip hotels including the Venitian pictured here. 

The Bellagio at night, my favorite hotel on the Vegas strip. 

We dined at Circos overlooking the Bellagio lake and fountains. 

Happy Birthday for my sweatheart. 

It is finally time for the big surprise. Unknown to Jeanine, her lifelong friend Kris and her husband Rob had contacted me months ago suggesting we meet in Las Vegas for her birthday which coincided with a conference Kris was attending. Since I needed to be in Las Vegas the following week for the National Association of Broadcaster’s trade show, the timing good not have been any better. Kris sneaked up behind Jeanine as we were walking through the lobby and took her completely off guard. 

We check into our suite at the Bellagio where we are greeted by an exquisite box of chocolates and basket of fresh fruit. 

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Immediately after landing, Jeanine encounters a rattle snake which she promptly kisses fulfilling a promise made to Maya. 

A view from the air as we approach Nevada. Later in the week we will be drivng through these very mountains.