We saw every topography while journeying from the Grand Canyon to Nevada, going from the lush pinion pine of Kaibab National Forest to crossing the continental divide and climbing dry cutout hills, then through a semi-lush mountain pass with shining snow-white caps, and finally driving past valleys and valleys of dry Arizona dessert.

 

 

 

The Hoover Dam border of Nevada and Arizona dropped our jaws. What an engineering feat. And the steep ranges we traversed to get there. Astounding. I keep using that word, don’t I? But the US of A is absolutely, unequivocally astounding.

 

 

While the ethereal, spiritual beauty of the Grand Canyon is awe inspiring, the ostentatious overindulgence of Las Vegas bombards the mind. No quiet here, no hearing God whisper to you. No, instead Vegas overwhelms the senses, the blaring music, the clanging of slot machines, the woo hoo of a winner, the flashing neon everywhere, the stench of cigarettes all combined to drive us to find a quiet Italian restaurant where we had an excellent dinner. My entree choice, the Osso Buco, the best I have ever had.

 

 The following morning, eager to explore the city, we walked and walked. First MGM, the casino, the restaurants, the shops, and the attention to detail blew my mind. I visited Vegas only once before thirty years ago. The city designers have done a marvelous job encouraging pedestrians with the walkways over roads, the interconnections to hotels and Casinos, and it’s wonderful to see the crowds thronging the strip.

 

And then the shows - we saw Santana the second night at the Hard Rock Hotel. What a concert! We had terrific seats, six down from the stage, in a remarkably intimate arena. The sound system rocked and so did we -- nothing nicer than going to sleep with the strains of Samba Pa Ti in your brain.

 

 

Sunday morning we went to a Champagne Brunch and then relaxed and vegged until late afternoon. Last night we walked the strip and the atmosphere once the sun goes down morphs into something Fantasy-Land-like reminding me of the electric parade and Tinkerbelle and the fireworks at Disneyworld. We explored Caesar’s Palace, the Bellagio, New York New York, and had happy hour at Sea Blue, eating dollar oysters and shrimp, and ending with a lobster corn dog – yummy.

 

I never expected to enjoy Las Vegas, but between the fascinating people watching, the amazing shows, the complex skyline, and the delicious, albeit way too expensive food, I’m having a blast.

 

Hope you enjoy the pics,

 

Cheers