When I worked for the airline a few years back, I would go to Europe for the weekend, western Europe and eastern Europe. Some folks even went to Asia for the weekend. I thought about going to Bryce Canyon or Zion for the weekend.

     But the distances of the American west make that kind of jaunt difficult. Airline flights get to Las Vegas (or Salt Lake City which isn't as close) and then it's five or six hours by rental car to Bryce Canyon.

     So having these places weekend-close is a special privilege of living in this part of the country and having the means to get to these wonderful places.