So it's that time of the year again. About 35 days to wheels up. Time to get the Astro's 2016 TR started. Epic Passes all round, courtesy of Perisher Ski Resort, see's us in the USA this year. Though there's only the 3 of us going this year. Myself, Mrs Astro and Youngest Astro. Though we are hooking up with our neighbours whilst in Vail. Bit of a mixed bag this Year. Doing a 6 day road trip before hitting our first ski resort. Making sure Mrs Astro gets to do some stuff she enjoys, before The Boys Go Wild. So road trip is. LA. Las Vegas. Grand Canyon. Lake Powell. Salt Lake City. Then Resorts start at Park City, 7 days. Vail / Beaver Creek, 7 days. Then finish up at Breckenridge for 6 days. Mrs Astro loves her vacations planned, so I've got a detailed Itinerary of Places and Event Showcases to divulge first. With lots of pics, as always in an Astro TR. My family and work colleges at home follow this thread, like they do each year. So I'll try and keep it entertaining, but sane. So strap yourself in. And please feel free to join us on the ride.
When in Breck @Astro66 make sure you treat Mrs. Astro well. Take her to Hearthstone for dinner. You will be rewarded! Best restaurant in town.
From LAX first stop is Advantage Car Rental. Got onto this company through Economy Car Rental. Getting a Mid Size SUV for the whole 28 days. Costing about $1100. I've Google Mapped the Place. Looks like we can choose between a Jeep Liberty or Mitsubishi ASX. I've had the ASX before. Great 4X4 in the snow. Though Luggage space is small. Jeep liberty is significantly bigger. But I'm unsure of it's snow credentials. Anyone driven the Jeep Liberty in snow ?
Just awesome. Great stuff. If the wife gets pics like these. I'm guaranteed a Northern Hemisphere Winter for the rest of my life.
So we're straight to Vegas from the Airport for 3 days. We're staying at the Excalibur on the Strip. And will be there NYE.
If you have never driven through the South West the whole place is drop dead gorgeous. Monument Valley, the Utah canyons, Arches NP ..... In fact I would give Las Vegas a miss unless there is something in particular you want to do there and spend more time looking around. If the youngest Astro is under 21 there is not much there for him anyway.
It's our 20 year Anniversary. So one of the things I've booked in whilst in Vegas, is my wife and I are renewing are Marriage Vows at an Elvis Chapel Wedding.
You missed my next post. Going to get remarried and take in some shows. I'll run through the Itinerary.
Looks like an ice Hotel at first glimpse before you scan down and see the cars etc............Las Vegas style of course
So at the Wedding, we get picked up by a Pink Cadillac. Driven to the Chapel. Where Elvis will walk my wife down the aisle, and sings 2 songs. We then get a marriage certificate same as Elvis and Priscilla. I know it's corny. but all my wife's friends think it's fabulous and that's alll that matters.
It's just one of my things. I think Las Vegas is a hole and the two times I have been there I have just wanted to escape. The first time my then fiancée wife* wanted to see it, the second time my daughter wanted to. Both have no desire to return. Although I liked Love - the Cirque de Soleil Beatles tribute. *By that time she was my wife.
We wanted to do this at our first Wedding, 20 years ago. But couldn't do it to our families. So we had it locally. And as I'm Italian. It was was great event. We had photo's done just down the road at Clovelly. This was us 20 years ago.
Totally agree Legs. Just going for the wedding. And to take my wife to the Titanic Exhibition. Also to David Copperfield or Penn and Teller. As we went to Europe for our Honeymoon and rode in a Gondola. She doesn't know. But I'm taking her on a Gondola at The Venetian, after we get married by Elvis.
On the way back from the gondola ride in Venice, while you're still in Italy why not drop in here duck across the road to South America and staying at Excalibur you're only a hop and a jump from Egypt !
and don't be fooled by thinking you have to fly to the other side of the country to get a New York bagel, just peer through your hotel window and you'll see New York City through the palm trees.
The Bellagio fountains are worth a look. Every half hour (or maybe hour?) And the view of the Strip from the top of the "Eiffel Tower" But no unauthorised weddings up there (read the ticket) Only in Vegas
If you were thinking of staying at Monument Valley I can recommend the View Hotel. It is run by the Navajo Nation. This was the view from my hotel room in the morning Sunrise Monument Valley And the evening View from my hotel..
At the Grand Canyon stay at the El Tovar hotel. It was built in the early 20th century and the rooms are idiosyncratic, but it is an interesting place. It is right on the rim of the Canyon. It is also one of the few places open in winter, which you have probably already discovered. El Tovar Hotel
Bought my own Elvis outfit on Ebay. Complete with wig. Haven't told the wife. Not sure she'll let me wear it.
We are daytripping to Grand Canyon National Park, from about an hour away. Saw the hotel. Hope to visit.
be sure to do the rollercoaster @ NYNY it's only small but it's a doozie a suggestion is that you go to the old casino area 1 night I actually like it better than the strip
Staying at Page near Lake Powell. Not sure we have time to divert to Monument Valley as we're headed to Salt Lake City . But seeing the photos. Definitely going to try and factor it in.
Promised the youngfella a rollercoaster. That's literally across the road from where we're staying. Sounds like the winner. Thanks.
From Page you can easily head in to Zion and Bryce. Absolutely must not miss and not a huge detour on the way up to SLC, I did it a few years ago.
I agree that at least one of these is an absolute must. I would miss Monument Valley to make sure you could fit them in.
Page to SLC is a day's drive anyway, it's not like you're rushing up there to ski in the arvo, I-15 is boring as batshit so go and see some amazing stuff.
Just showed the wife this photo. It's now on the must see list. We actually drive right through there. Thanks guys.
