L.A. to Las Vegas and Grand Canyon

Bay Horse to Rudby???
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The drive across the desert was exhillarating, terrifying (would we make it?) and warm. Out thermometer read 124~ (just checkin you remembered that?). We had no idea, at that point, that George would make it, or leave us to bake in the middle of this unforgiving desert. She came through like a champ (Prince George is a-sexual by the way). We had decided to stay in Vegas from Thursday to Sunday.

We arrived at Chads friends, Daves house at 4 pm (can you see the theme here? I provide the car and petrol and Chad the accommodation). It was a pretty 1 bedroomed flat about 1 mile from the Palms, another tough break.

L.A. to Vegas and Grand Canyon

The first thing we did was head off to the Pool. When the sun went down we took George and cruised the Strip, still in our shirts, which were nicely pungent by now.

Next day we stayed around the Pool at the Palms then, in the evening a load more of Chads mates arrived. We went down to Rain nightclub at the Palms, which I think was great but have to admit my memory is a little hazy. Next day, Saturday we went to the Pool at the MGM Grand (can you see a theme emerging here?). On Sat. night a friend had booked us a table at a rooftop Party on the Rio Hotel. The charge was to purchase a minimum of 2 bottles of Grey Goose Vodka at $475 EACH. We drank 7 bottles. With views over the Strip and out into the desert and a fantastic vibe it was a truly memorable night, topped off with my bill for alcomohol, A BIG FAT ZERO. I coyly left a $50 tip. Some of the guys had booked a room at the Grand so a dozen of us crashed out there.

Next day, nursing the hangover from hell I chilled/puked all day at Daves house. I decided I would leave Vegas next day and drive to the Grand Canyon

Next morning we decided to stay another night and on Monday we checked out the Strip again, got drunk, and decided to stay another day. I made up my mind that definitely...............Tuesday was pool day again then some friends of Pig (Chads mate), who are professional Baseball (Rounders) Players took us out and got us....drunk. They invited us to their Baseball game next night so, what are you going to do? We stayed another night. After the game I got dropped off on the North end of Downtown Vegas. In my flip-flops, it took me 2 hours to walk to the Stratosphere, widely regarded as the start of The Main Strip area. By the time I had walked back to Daves 61/2 hours after setting off I had covered approx 12-15 miles, visited (almost) every hotel/casino and cried, frequently, due to the agony from my feet.

I had seen enough of Vegas, thank you, and resolved to leave next day for the Grand Canyon. And I did....yippee!

The 6 hour drive across the desert, on my own (Chad was not Vegas'd out quite yet), was gruelling. The temperature was well over 100~, so I turned the aircon to 11, which translates as "I opened the rear windows as well". I drove over the Hoover Dam, sorry kids but quite ugly, with 100's of pylons and power stations and not nearly as big as I expected. All in all I think I prefer Scaling Dam.

I arrived at the Grand Canyon just as the sun was setting. Perfect. Very few things in life take my breath away ( the birth of my daughter, Boro winning the Coca Cola Cup, was it called that, David getting the beer in), but that bad boy is incredible, oh no! I am running into adjective overload again. I am not able to conjure up a word to describe the enormity, the beauty and the awe inspiring feel the Canyon has. I quite liked it! It was at least 5 times bigger than the "Canyon" between The Bay Horse and Rudby (and maybe twice as wide. I know!!!!!!!...........beyond belief!!!!!)

Unfortunately, isn't there always one of those, I took out my camera to capture a little bit of the incredible vista before me and, after 1 photo the battery gave up. Not to be deterred I returned to the car, took out my video camera and rushed back to the viewing platform. The battery warning light came on after 5 seconds and my video died, I immediately put the spare battery on and after 5 seconds........................Oh Dear, I muttered.

I stayed overnight, did not sleep due to, unsuccessfully, trying to update my blog, and was back at the Canyon at 5.30am. It did not disappoint during the daylight. Watching Buzzards, Vultures and Sparrows, of course, circling hundreds of feet below you, but still thousands of feet above the ground defies belief. Seeing the dingys sailing 8000 feet below on the Colorado River fantastic. I would probably return!.

At the end of the day I drove back to Vegas, got drunk with Chad and Dave and prepared to head off to San Diego.

Ps

A HUGE thank you goes out to Dave for his amazing hospitality and a big "hello" to Pig(I hope you kept your job), JD, Coos, Bailey and Amy. Special thanks to Jackie and John for the table at Rio. You guys were all amazing and made Vegas for me.

Next morning we set off for San Diego...............................