Well I think we have decided? Unless you tellme otherwise

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Sarah

Member
Joined
Sep 8, 2009
Posts
9
Location
Australia
Hello long time no chat
I haven't been on here for a little while but have still been making decisions on what we want to do.  I think we have finally decided but I would like to run it past you all first.

We are going to leave the kids at home and take off just the husband and I.  (this time around anyway)
Wanting to fly into LAX coming from Australia.
Rent an small RV and drive to Vegas.  We figure while we dont have the kids we can do some adult type stuff lol ie casinos, drinking, partying.  Then from there head up to Salt Lake City.  Then across to San Francisco and back down to LA. 
WDYT? 
We would be coming over on the 1st of October and are planning on staying for 2 weeks.  Originally we wanted to go right around USA with the kids but decided not too for now I think little trips will be better.
Will there be heaps to see and do?  I have no idea.
Thanks
 
How many travel days are you planning??,,do you have time to enjoy the "grand circle" of Utah on your way through to SLC??>>>Dan :)
 
Las Vegas is a party town with lots of adult attractions. Salt Lake City is rather the opposite. Nothing against SLC, but I wouldn't travel halfway around the world to go there unless the Mormon Tabernacle was really important to me.

If you have time, you might want to see the unique & spectacular scenery of Utah - Bryce National Park, Moab and Arches National Park, perhaps the Grand Canyon, etc.
 
I'm betting you stay in Vegas until just before you have to leave to catch your return flight.  8)

There really are heaps of things to see and do in the areas you've outlined.  Bryce canyon is still
the most remarkable place we've ever seen.  Salt Lake City is not.... although some of the best
skiing on earth is just up the Little Cottonwood Canyon at Snowbird and Alta!

October is probably the nicest weather San Francisco see all year.  The entire coast is great that
time of year.  Depending on your schedule by then you may want to check out Carmel By the Sea.
I proposed on the beach there and it's worked out pretty well.  ;D

Have a safe trip and let us know how it goes.
 
I have to agree with Gary, While Utah has a lot of spectacular scenery, Salt Lake City it self is nothing more than a large city on the shore of the great Salt Lake.  Which stinks BTW.  Another thing is why rent a MH for two???  IMHO you would be better off renting a car for the two weeks and find hotels.  Especially since you are going to the large cities for your leisure time.
 
Unless we're visiting friends/forum members, I can't take more than 1 day of Vegas every 10 years. I'd much prefer to listen to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir or one of the various recitals that occur in the Tabernacle.

I enjoy the guided tours and self-tours of Temple Square, and the LDS library is quite a resource.

Haven't yet seen it, but there's also a KFC museum in SLC. My neighbor worked for the Colonel for many years, and always reminds me to visit the museum whenever we head to Utah.

I don't really care for the campground in SLC, but it's quite convenient for visiting Temple Square.
 
I've got to agree on the car vs a rental RV. If I were spending a week in Vegas and maybe touring just a bit, I think I'd get a car and use the hotels. With a rental RV, you are living out of a suitcase anyway, and there is little advantage to an RV in a big city and a lot of disadvantage.

As for Las Vegas vs SLC, i's different strokes for different folks.  Sounded to me as though Sarah is looking for some strictly adult entertainment.
 
RV Roamer said:
Las Vegas is a party town with lots of adult attractions. Salt Lake City is rather the opposite. Nothing against SLC, but I wouldn't travel halfway around the world to go there unless the Mormon Tabernacle was really important to me.

If you have time, you might want to see the unique & spectacular scenery of Utah - Bryce National Park, Moab and Arches National Park, perhaps the Grand Canyon, etc.

Not to mention that the chances are extremely good that you will only see the Tabernacle from the "outside" ...
 
[quote author=Monkei]Not to mention that the chances are extremely good that you will only see the Tabernacle from the "outside" ... [/quote]

Did something change recently? I've not failed to gain access on any of my visits. AFAIK the only times the door is closed and locked during normal hours is during the live TV performance on Sunday mornings, and possibly during the rehearsal Tues (or Wed?) evening. There's a lot more to see outside the Tabernacle also. Maybe you're thinking of the Temple?
 
Don't know how old your kids are, but I hope they have someone to stay with. I couldn't imagine leaving mine when they were living at home and traveling that far away.  :-[
 
Tom said:
Did something change recently? I've not failed to gain access on any of my visits. AFAIK the only times the door is closed and locked during normal hours is during the live TV performance on Sunday mornings, and possibly during the rehearsal Tues (or Wed?) evening. There's a lot more to see outside the Tabernacle also. Maybe you're thinking of the Temple?

Well it's been a couple of years since I was there ... we got inside the complex, got a tour, but were told that you have to be a Mormon in good standing to get into the actual tabernacle (temple).  They had two temples there, we did in fact get into the smaller one were they take the tours to.  I would be surprised if that suddenly changed.  I seriously doubt that I am in good standing in anything, much less the Mormon Church.

In the end of the tour you fill out a card with your name and address, etc.  I did it, put an F in front of my last name, put down the wrong phone number and also the wrong address but did put down the state correctly.  I don't know if it was a coincidence or not, but 2 week later two 14-16 year old girls from the local Mormon church were at my doorstep with a CD and a book of Mormon.  Never showed up before, or after, that one visit.  Maybe I am just paranoid.
 
The Tabernacle is open to everyone that walks, talks and breathes.

The Temple is only open to Later Day Saints and is an entirely different structure. 
 
[quote author=Monkei].... you have to be a Mormon in good standing to get into the actual tabernacle (temple).  They had two temples ...[/quote]

There's only one Temple. As Bob correctly said, the Tabernacle and the Temple are two different structures, and the Tabernacle is open to the public.

AFAIK the LDS church doesn't bother anyone. Members go on a mission, usually but not always, in their teens. They go to a far away city or far away country, and will help to spread the word. I'm always fascinated talking to the folks who spend their missionary time as tour guides in Temple Square; They come from all over the world, and willingly answer questions. On my first visit to SLC (early 80's), I was talking with one of the missionaries in a small church in Temple Square; He invited me to sing hymns with him, which I did (or at least attempted to).

FWIW I'm not a member of the LDS church either, but appreciate the wonderful singing of the Tabernacle Choir, and have had the pleasure of quite a few friends and colleagues who are LDS members.

Anyone having an interest in genealogy will have a field day at the LDS Library in Temple Square.
 
Tom said:
There's only one Temple. As Bob correctly said, the Tabernacle and the Temple are two different structures, and the Tabernacle is open to the public.

AFAIK the LDS church doesn't bother anyone. Members go on a mission, usually but not always, in their teens. They go to a far away city or far away country, and will help to spread the word. I'm always fascinated talking to the folks who spend their missionary time as tour guides in Temple Square; They come from all over the world, and willingly answer questions. On my first visit to SLC (early 80's), I was talking with one of the missionaries in a small church in Temple Square; He invited me to sing hymns with him, which I did (or at least attempted to).

FWIW I'm not a member of the LDS church either, but appreciate the wonderful singing of the Tabernacle Choir, and have had the pleasure of quite a few friends and colleagues who are LDS members.

Anyone having an interest in genealogy will have a field day at the LDS Library in Temple Square.

temple, tabernacle, church or cathedral ... I just don't have time, I guess, to figure them all out ... thanks for the info.  All I know is the big place with the pointy end on the top with the gold angel would not let me in.
 
Talking to the guides in Temple Square is one of the more likable things about SLC. I'd take the tour just for the conversation. And I personally enjoy attending a Choir rehearsal or concert. After that, it's just another city, with an expensive downtown KOA that is only fair and more than its share of zany drivers on the streets.
 
Pierat said:
When living in AZ, it appeared to me that LDS folks do lots and lots of door-to-door solicitation in many locations.

I don't think that would come as a surprise to most people.  But I am sure they are good and caring people. 

But I agree about SLC ... unless you have a burning desire to learn about the 100% "male" prophets of the Mormon church, or better yet are in town for a University of Utah football game, SLC is just another big city with pretty mountains surrounding it.  We always stop there at Camping World.
 
I agree with previous posters' comments questioning the idea of camping, based on most of the destinations listed.  You are planning on at least 2000 miles of driving based on the route you mentioned.  A car getting 25 mpg will cost a lot less to rent, and will consume about $240 worth of gas @ $3 / gallon.  An RV will cost a lot to rent and @ 10 mpg will consume $600 worth of gas.  Hotels can be found pretty cheaply at that time.
 
 
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