Red Canyon, Las Vegas, Valley of Fire, Zion & Death Valley

The last shutdown weekend was extended due to Martin Luther King Day on Monday, so it was a great opportunity to cross off more items on our bucket list. We quickly decided on Zion National Park in Utah. Doing a Google search beforehand is highly recommended - there have been occasional fatal incidents during the hike to the Angel's Landing rock formation, and many agree that it is a - at least in parts - very scary hiking route.

On the way to Utah, we had to pass through two other states - Nevada and Arizona. To break up the journey and check off more items on our bucket list, we made several stops: Red Canyon, Las Vegas, and Valley of Fire on the way there, and Death Valley on the way back.

In the different parks, as often is the case (for Europeans), there were vast expanses, rocks and stones in all colors and shapes, waterfalls, whirlwinds, and lots of salt to see. In Valley of Fire, we felt like we had landed on the set of Star Wars, in Red Canyon we were slightly reminded of Mars, and in the desert, everything felt unreal.

Las Vegas was crazy, loud, fun, and at the same time exactly how I imagined it, but also completely different. During the day, it is simply ugly, but at night, the magic comes alive with the neon lights, just like in the movies. The buffets there are great - definitely a must-try if you're already there. Gambling is still gambling. But casinos are worth visiting to be amazed - by the dancing women on the bars, the free head massages for players, and because of the visitors/players themselves. The water fountains in front of the Bellagio are beautiful - at least when you catch a show with good musical accompaniment. The flamingos at the Flamingo hotel are actually alive, but a somewhat sad sight. And the people who live there are - as somewhat expected - a bit peculiar.

When we arrived in Zion, we were freezing - in the morning, it was minus four degrees, almost European temperatures. Strengthened by a hearty breakfast and mutual encouragement, we set off for Angel's Landing. Along the way, we asked a ranger for advice on whether the hike was possible or too dangerous due to ice and snow. The feedback was not 100 percent convincing, but since we were already there, backing out would have been foolish - so off we went! The ascent is initially just steep and therefore demanding, but still manageable on paved trails. The exciting part comes when you grip a iron chain carved into the rocks with both hands and move forward step by step with cautious feet. To make the spectacle even more unforgettable, other hikers are constantly coming towards you, so you sometimes have to crouch diagonally on all fours to make way for oncoming traffic. Looking down should of course be avoided, because your heart has already sunk into your stomach. But no matter how challenging and sometimes scary the hike is, it is simply so worth it. The feeling when you finally stand on the plateau, with the park, no, the whole world at your feet and the sun shining on your face - unforgettable! Make sure to remember those moments of happiness when you start the descent. The chain is still an important and reliable friend, but finding footholds for your feet is more difficult on the way back, and looking down into the abyss is not always avoidable. Lots of relief awaits at the bottom - I promise. Zion is also highly recommended even without Angel's Landing, as it is simply indescribably beautiful. We hope to see this national park again, as this time we didn't go to the Emerald Pools due to the cold and the volume of water.