We started another tour of the southwest United States from the great city of Las Vegas.  Four enthusiastic tour members from Canada, Luxembourg, Switzerland and the US came prepared and full of energy to experience Route 66, several National Parks and State Parks.  What could be better than to start a tour in Las Vegas where you can do so many things 24 hours a day, from gambling to world class shows and even drive a super car at the Las Vegas Speedway.  We left this great city and headed to our first site seeing stop, the Hoover Dam.  This dam holds back Lake Meade which provides water to Los Angeles, Las Vegas and the entire southwest.  President Hoover started the dam to give work to the many unemployed during the US's great depression.  With all the workers the city of Las Vegas was born in the desert to provide entertainment.

From the Hoover Dam we headed to the world famous Route 66 that was built as the major route from Chicago to Los Angeles.  After riding through the desert one has to appreciate the trip those did in the '30's in primitive vehicles through the desert.  Here are Bill and Patrick at an old gas station in Hackberry.

Some other old vehicles and buildings

Well, we were getting hungry to we continued east on Route 66 to Seligman and what could be better than to stop for lunch at a restaurant called the Road Kill Cafe.

Erich from Switzerland was getting his full American experience by doing the tour on an Harley Davidson.

After a good meal of flattened squirrel (just kidding) we finished up our ride on Route 66 and had to do a short stint on the highway to get to another section of Route 66 and the town of Williams.

From there we headed to our first nights stop in Flagstaff, Arizona.  The next day Steve led the group to the namesake of the tour, the Grand Canyon.  After spending the day riding around the canyon and stopping at several overlooks making their way to Page, Arizona.  Spending two night there gave us the opportunity to take advantage of the rest day and ride to Monument Valley.  What a beautiful place.

The next day the group was then again led by Steve to the first State Park, Coral Pink Sand State Park, and the second National Park, Zion, which many say is the most spectacular National Park in the US.  After riding through the park they made their was to Springdale, just outside of the park to take another rest day which gave us time to ride to the third National Park, Bryce Canyon.

Now, sadly we've come to our last day of riding and heading back to Las Vegas.  Riding through the Virgin River Valley we made our way to the second State Park, Valley of Fire, which is the location for several films.  I tried to get some shots of the group going through the valley.

Again we were getting hungry so we stopped at Roger Springs in the middle of the desert for a little picnic lunch.  No pictures of the picnic because we were to busy eating but Gail was so kind to take a picture of the guys in front of the springs.

Another great tour has come to an end.  Thanks to all for a great time.

Ed