8-29: So you arrive PHX and plan to drive to Flag, no problem. There really are no amazing hotels in Flag.

8-30: Why do you plan to drive all the way up to Bryce and then back down to Springdale? The drive from Flag ( I assume through Page and along the bottom of the Escalante) will be a long day, mainly because you will want to stop numerous times because of all the interesting things to see and do. Driving to Bryce means you are adding an extra two hours or so on that day, and then turning around and driving back down to Zion. I recommend just driving to the Zion Park Motel on 8-30, and then using it as a base to drive up to Bryce on 8-31 or 9-1.

Zion National Park: Driving through the tunnels carved into the rock walls of the canyons, and looking out of the gallery windows carved for air vents is fantastic. Turn on Gustav Holsts' "The Planets" suite full blast, roll down the windows and honk your horn in time to the brass and percussion of "Mars" as you drive slowly along. The park rangers love this.

8-30: After you cross into Utah north of Page, near the little town of Big Water, there is a park office / museum on the south side of 89. It makes for an interesting stop, and we have met science teams coming in from the Escalante digs with things like the jaw bone of a T-Rex.

9-2: The drive from Kanab to Bright Angel will again be a full-day event, particularly depending on how you get around the canyon. I recommend going around the east side again - if you do, and you took 89A to get up to Zion, try taking 89 on your way back, or vice versa. Both roads offer some of the most interesting scenery in the US, like the opening scenes of the original Plant of the Apes movie with Charlton Heston.

Cedar City, UT: The Sullivans at 301 Main Street is the best greasy spoon in the town.

Sedona, AZ: The Coffee Pot at 2050 on 89A is the best greasy spoon in the town. The Red Planet Diner at 1655 on 89A is the corniest. Avoid all the Thai and Indian places in Sedona and Oak Creek; they are really poor.

Sedona, AZ (Oak Creek): If you are staying in a motel down in Oak Creek, the Blue Moon Cafe and the Red Rock Coffee House have been decent eateries, but have also suffered from high prices and lack of upkeep as the place has gentrified. Our last visits to either one were not very good, but this may be a one off.

Sedona, AZ: The Chapel of the Holy Cross, built into the side of the hill, is a very interesting way to spend an hour. The Pink Jeep Tours are also well worth the time, although if you are driving a rental, you can beat it up driving around yourself without the commentary, I suppose.

Flagstaff, AZ: Flag has some really terrific Thai restaurants. Dara Thai, Swaddee Thai, and Pato Thai, for instance.

Kanab, UT: Rocking V Cafe used to be very good, although I haven't eaten there in several years. Same thing for Big Al's Burgers.

Black Canyon, AZ: The Rock Springs Cafe (exit at Black Canyon from the I-17) is one of the oldest restaurants in Arizona, and is halfway between Sedona and Phoenix Sky Harbor. Great pies, although it has become more famous recently and thus has taken the usual turn down in terms of service, etc.

Rental car return at PHX Sky Harbor: The rental car facility is to the west of the airport, but returns are usually pretty good at Hertz. Once you return your car, you will take a free Sky Harbor bus to Terminal 4 for Southwest. Coming from Sedona, you will take the I-17 through Black Canyon and down into Phoenix. Take the I-10 east to Phoenix Sky Harbor and follow the rental car facility signs.

This is a great trip you have planned - have a great time.