September 30 - October 8: Las Vegas

About Vegas, They say 'What Happens Here, Stays Here" .....  I think they are talking about your money.  If you happen to gamble, most will leave their money in Vegas. We've been here before, but I can say that this time we left with $30.00 more than we had when we arrived.  At one point we were up a little over $180, but with a few days left we had to slide the money back into those machines.   We stay at Sam's Town Casino RV Park on Boulder Hwy.  That's about 7 miles from the Las Vegas Strip where the big Casinos are located. Sam's Town runs a free bus/shuttle to the strip, so we did take advantage of the ride.

You don't see this speed limit too often

Inside Sam's Town Casino

No shortage of places to gamble

This Wheel was taller than most of the buildings

We watch on TV the show Pawn Stars, so had to visit their shop.. None of the "Stars" were in and the shop looked like a pawn shop... actually not too impressive - they had a  big parking lot.

We saw this cruising on the interstate at about 65 MPH.... Original engine?

Hoover Dam - This is a most impressive Dam and area. Lake Mead was formed as water backed up when the dam was completed.  The Colorado River was tamed and provides water to millions as a result of this and a few other dams on the river.  Probably one of the most important projects ever undertaken.

This bridge was added in recent years to divert traffic from the dam.  Pic taken standing on the dam.

Views in Dam area

Lake Mead was formed when the Dam water was backed up

These stairs led to the entrance to the Dam visitor center.  In order to enter, we had to go through a security checkpoint, just like the airport.  I always carry a small knife on my key chain, so I could not enter unless I got rid of the knife. I wouldn't do that, and the walk back to where we parked the truck was a very long way, uphill.  We left without getting in the visitor center... I guess my 1" blade was pretty intimidating to those guards carrying 9mm hand guns.  Federal Government common sense?  I could do more damage with my ball point pen........


 

We had a good time in Vegas, and with another $30 in our pockets we're heading to Arizona.....

September 29 - Cedar City, UT & Zion Nat'l Park

The Drive across Utah was awesome. We left Green River, Utah with Cedar City, Utah as our destination today as we drove West on I-70, then South on I-15..  At the end of May earlier this year, we were in Cedar City, but we arrived from the South from Arizona via RT 89 and through Cedar Breaks National Monument (See our May entries).  We've been visiting various places here in the Western US since 1967, but this was the first time we drove across Utah on I-70 from East to West.

This section of I-70 was cut through the San Rafael Reef and completed in the 1980's

Rest Area on I-70 - a nearby road sign said "No Services next 100 miles"

From Cedar City, There are three National Parks within 60 miles: Cedar Breaks National Monument, Zion National Park, and Bryce Canyon National Park.  We've been to these before - as recent as this past May, but we can't pass by and not take advantage of these wonderful sites.

This pic is at Kolob Canyon, located in the Northwest corner of Zion Nat'l Park. The Kolob Canyon area can only be entered from a Hwy I-15 entrance, some 50 miles form the main Zion National Park entrance.

Kolob Canyon Drive.  The red road surface is a cinder coat from the local area.

Another Kolob Canyon view

We parked at the Zion Nat'l Park Visitor Center and boarded the free Shuttle Bus that takes the scenic drive that can only be visited by bus.

Zion

Zion - White Mountain

This is the area where a man drowned yesterday

On a sad note, the day before we arrived at Zion, a young man drowned in a flash flood. His body was recovered the day we were there and they were transporting his body on the canyon trail as we passed inches away from the gurney.  At the time, we were not sure, but the yellow body bag was difficult to conceal.

This park is in Cedar City. A typical historical museum with early Utah Farm equipment, log cabins, and history

An early 1900's snowmobile

The museum had dozens of these old farm implements...

We'll be in Las Vegas on Sept. 30 for 8 nights.....