LAS VEGAS!!!

After a 12 hour drive from Denver we're in Las Vegas. The drive was as much of an adventure as the gaming tables in the casinos. We left Denver in rain and started across the Rockies. The temperature dropped to 36 degrees and soon we not only saw snow on the ground and on the mountain tops, but we were driving through a snow shower! I was the designated driver as my father monitored the map and GPS system. Up and down and up and down we went. Climbing higher and higher, hitting curve after curve as I-70 found its way over and around mountains and the Colorado River. It was a definite relief to finally see flat ground and temperatures in the 50s. As we headed towards Grand Junction, Colorado, we were overwhelmed with the beauty of the terrain. The mountains in the distance had snow on their peaks, while the closer land was dry in shades of brown and read. No wild life to be seen. Crossing into Utah brought temperatures in the 80s and more desolate beauty and towns that were farther and farther apart. We fueled up without hesitation when highway signs warned that the next gas station would be 110 miles down the highway. It didn't matter that we paid about $4 per gallon. We had no choice. The remainder of the drive through Utah and into Nevada took us over and around more mountains. Lots of climbing and lots of curves. Gorgeous red rocks. A few cattle farms. Although we were speechless to describe the beauty of the country, we did wonder out loud how folks lived in the small, remote communities we occasionally passed.

After hours of driving through wide open spaces, the Las Vegas skyline in the distance was a welcome sight. When we weren't in the mountains, I maintained a steady 80 mph but the closer I got to Las Vegas, the faster I drove. It was almost like the Strip was pulling the van to it. Once on the Strip, I slowed to let my folks take it all in. Needless to say, it looks much different than it did in 1980. When we pulled into the driveway at Caesars Palace they were awestruck. Once inside, Dad moved on warp drive, darting around tourists and slot machines while Mom and I laughed and told him to slow down. I think he got overly excited. After settling into our room here at the Palace with the largest bathroom any of us have ever experienced at a hotel (I've not taken pictures of it yet), we ventured out onto the Strip for the Bellagio's fountain show and window shopping in Planet Hollywood's Miracle Mile. My mother gave me and Dad $2 each for the slot machines. When I won mine back with an additional 50 cents, I cashed out. Dad lost his and claimed that the slots in Caesars favored him more. He won 50 cents on a nickel slot machine in Caesars, so I guess he was right. However, Dad wasn't pleased to learn that tickets to Chers' show here at Caesars start at $250 and all the shows are sold out. Later he let us know that he didn't want to see Cher anyway. It's not like she is a real Vegas act like Tom Jones or Tony Orlando and Dawn!

We're up at the crack of dawn now to tackle Sin City by day. I don't think we'll lose any money gambling, but another lunch of $14 hamburgers could put a dent in our budget.