"Vivaaaa Las Vegas"

We left the humid east for the dry desert heat again. After a flight via Nashville, we landed in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ironically, it was overcast, cooler than Palm Springs at only 95F, with thunder and lightning storms passing through.
We checked into our hotel. Like eveything in Vegas, it had its own casino. Hell, even the LV airport had slot machines, as did the rental car pickup place, so those bitten with the gambling bug could feed their addiction coming or going!
We had a wee recce excursion to see the nightlife, but I didn't like it much. Too many people, some of them definitely dodgy, some just sightseeing like us. Lots of neon, lots of noise. Food everywhere, including in the casinos, so you didn't have to leave to eat - just keep on gambling while you dine....

The other sights included multiple Elvis impersonators (including fat Elvis and skinny Elvis), a Wookie & a Jawa; all handing out flyers for their casino or show.

I tried out one of the local shooting ranges to shoot a machine gun. Why? Just because I could. Nothing more. It was fun, too!! We even got picked up and dropped off in a real HUMMVEE. Carmen's first time in one! Eeeeeeveryone got out of the way of that beast, I can tell you.

Our taxi....

Just because I could, I did. $200 for 1.3 seconds of FUN.

The next day, Carmen and I drove a hundred or so miles north to Zion national park, Utah. In doing so, we ended up being in 3 states (leaving from Nevada, driving through Arizona to get to Utah, as LV is near the junction of these three).

I liked Utah! I drove at 80 MPH - thats 140 KPH - legally! And I still got passed by others going much faster (including big-rigs and Police cars). Exhilarating, but just ever so slightly unnerving when an 18 wheeler passes close by at warp factor 8! I almost needed a change of pants.....

After a 2.5 hour drive, we arrived at the top end of Zion park. We did a 5 mile (return) hike up Kolob canyon. It was absolutely stunning. Not too hot, either. Another stroke of brilliance visiting somewhere higher up (about 2000m ASL) to be cooler. None of the crowds of other parts of Zion, either.

 

From the top lookout

Stunning, eh?

Wild thing, I think I love you...

One of two old cabins from the 1930's

The double arches at the end of the canyon. A massive ampi-theatre.

All in all, Las Vegas was an interesting place to visit, but the city itself was much too glitzy and busy for my liking. At least I got to see the Eiffel tower, the Statue of Liberty, Venice and other places from the comfort of my own car.....

New York, Nevada-style.