gecko

Moab to Bryce is a gorgeous drive, but it's a long one (if I recall it was a full 8 hrs). You'll go right by Capitol Reef NP, which is impressive on it's own. You are a lucky SOB.....

I was mistaken with this. Marriott points transfer to UA at 3 pts = 1 mile.

Staying at the park has it advantages (timely access being the one) but Durango has its advantages as well (more food options and chances for your lady friend to bankrupt you on some overpriced piece of art). Hot tips for Mesa Verde: Hike the Petroglyph Point trail. It's about 3 miles, moderately strenuous. Great views. The petroglyphs themselves are "meh" but the trip in and out is great. Also, do the guided tours late in the day (less kids). Take the last tour of the day of the Cliff Palace. Few kids, smaller tour group, and no other tours in the Cliff Palace while you look around.

CenTex --> Carlsbad Caverns NP --> Mesa Verde NP --> Moab (Arches & Canyonlands) is about all I think you could do in the time you have. Plenty of the usual hotels in Carlsbad (Hampton Inn, Farfield Inn, etc). At Mesa Verde I recommend the Far View Lodge (on the park grounds). It's not plush, but clean and convenient. Restaurant is actually not bad. Bar is pretty nice. Service is slow but reliable, but who cares...? Moab is like Carlsbad...all the usual hotels. Last summer we stayed at Springhill Suites and liked it a lot. Bonus suggestion: If you like the line up above, you might consider hauling ass to Moab and work your way back. That way, you could eliminate a stop if you get fixated on one location (Arches/Canyonlands and Moab are awesome). The weak link in my proposal is Carlsbad Caverns. That's the one I would drop if I didn't have time for all of them.

This is a quick side trip (1.5 days) as we transit Sydney on our way home to Houston (15 hr nonstop hola!). The plan is for some simple day hikes, avoiding dangerous reptiles/spiders, and general picture taking. Any thoughts or recommendations?

ferk.....now this dam song is playing indefinitely in my head....

It's interference from every angle...that's not an open question. I'm not invested in this outcome (I could care less about the Saints or the Rams)....I'm just trying fathom what the ref saw that caused him to come to a different conclusion. I'm interested in all possible interpretations and conclusions, even Steamboats (but not Vic's)

The kid in Kansas City needs counseling.... The reaction of the dog in the other video is classic (3:27 mark)

Off topic but while debating the NFL OT rules on ESPN one guy suggested that the NBA OT should be sudden death....any foul shots would be shot from the 3-point line.

Great find.....this is the first angle I've seen that gave some reference to where the ref was and what he may have been looking at. That's a quadruple WTF...

When I saw it live my first thought was..."no foul, uncatchable"....replay and different angles pretty much shot that down.

Nope....

Watched IO last night.....meh....kept waiting for something cool to happen...but semi-watchable. Its only 90 mins

Yup.....

I'm sure Wester is guilty of something, it just wasn't possession of an illegal substance.

And Austin Kendall is headed for WVU....

We've done Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches, Canyonlands, and North Rim of Grand Canyon. Random thoughts on where to stay: NP Lodge at Zion is over priced and food is terrible. Stay in Springdale, UT at Hampton Inn, Springhill Suites, La Quinta, etc. Take the shuttle buses from stops throughout Springdale. Its free and parking in Zion is non-existent (literally). The shuttles are super simple - trust me on this. Food in Springdale is good. Mt Carmel highway out of Zion is amazing. The hike to Angel's Landing dam near killed me....get your ass in shape. NP Lodge at Bryce is awesome. Stay in one of the cabins. When wife and I were there we could walk out of our cabin and stroll right up to the rim. Just an amazing place. Hikes around the canyon were not strenuous. No lodging at Capitol Reef. Watch out for distant thunderstorms. The washes fill up quickly. Stay in Torrey, UT. Plenty of small hotels there. The drive from Bryce to Capitol Reef is one of the most beautiful in the nation. Arches and Canyonlands.....stay in Moab. Great little town with all the usual hotels (Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express, etc). Food is good in town. Go into Arches late in the day. The colors at sunset and really something to see. Canyonlands can be hot as hell (hardly exaggerating). North Rim Grand Canyon you'll need to stay in the cabins. Some are very primitive and basic. I liked them.....they were comfortable and clean.

Not on Netflix but if you can find it somewhere watch it.....”The Collection”. So well done.....

This man is correct. Rooms are very comfortable. Hit them the right time and they’re not too pricey.

Count me among those that thinks Hurts is a threat at OU. But sooner or later OU has to stop the one year QB rentals and actually develop someone. This doesn’t seem sustainable...but maybe it is under the new transfer protocols.

All I know is the stadium will be packed and probably very very loud...

Not saying the run is over but it’s inevitable that it will end...

So who is heading to OU that has Austin Kendall checking his options?