TheSauceBrothersdotcom | Cose di salsa

...so another trip is over. Ezia, Luca and Lennon are back in their adopted land and we're back at work already planning our next vacation. 
As you may have guessed from the title, a couple of weeks ago we joined Ezia & Co. in Las Vegas to begin a trip  of a few days to Zion, the Grand Canyon and Bryce. They were coming from San Francisco via Yosemite and Death Valley -- where they could enjoy 120 degree weather -- on the way to Yellowstone. After winning our trip money in Vegas (not!), the first stop was Zion National Park. Obviously we stayed at the charming Under the Eves B&B where Deb and Reverend Steve greeted us with their usual warm (and sometimes painful, right Lennon?) embrace. Immediately we're off to a quick hike which was abrubtly cut short by a rare thunderstorm: and when we say rare we mean that the last time it had rained was back in April! It was then that we learned that the '3L' (as they're known Lucrezia, Luca and Lennon) is famous for providing relief to the driest places on earth. Legend has it in fact that their sheer presence is enough to turn lands commonly arid and desertic into flooded plains and valleys. Just ask the people of Namibia or Guyana if you think we're joking!
Once we dry up we enjoy a nice dinner with Steve and Deb at the Bit & Spur (where they make a mean 'Braised Beef Short Ribs': highly recommended!).
The next morning was already time to leave. After saying goodbye to the kind hosts (a painless farewell this time) we direct our cars towards the north rim of the Grand Canyon. Passing through a couple of thunderstorms we finally reach the Grand Canyon Lodge and there we discover what is truly a breathtaking view. This time the numerous storms present in the area only increased the already spectacular view as we could see rain and lightning coming down on various parts of the canyon. After dinner at the Lodge we go back to our hotel in "Little Hollywood" -- because of the many western movies shot in the area -- Kanab (UT).
The following day we board our vehicles and steer them in the direction of Bryce Canyon, but not before stopping at the Pipe Spring National Monument, a fort built by the Mormons around a water source previously used by the local indian tribe. Basically, they got there and said "this is mine!" and the other guys that had been there for centuries had to leave. Nice!
We leave this interesting place and drive a couple of hours towards Bryce where we arrive under ominous clouds. Sure enough, we begin hiking and the rain starts coming down, luckily light enough to let us enjoy the amazing view that rain and sun cause: rainbows! Yes rainbows with an 's' because we could see many across the horizon. They turned an already spectacular place into a magical one. A memory I'll remember for many years.
That was our last day together. The following day our roads parted, us returning to Las Vegas to catch a plane back to Philly, them towards Salt Lake City, a stop over on the way to Yellowstone: not everybody has all those vacation days to spend :)
Overall it was a great trip: the sightseeing was awesome and the company was great: really, what more can you ask?