We grabbed lunch in Baker, next to the world's tallest thermometer. It wasn't working, perhaps malfunctioning in the 100F+ heat. Then it was a drive through relentless desert until we found the Hoover Dam. This was quite exciting, as I got to be in California, Nevada and Arizona all on the same day.
We retraced our steps toward sin city and checked into Sam's Town. "Will you want two beds or one?" asked the desk clerk. "Two," I answered, pausing. "She's my Goddaughter." "Of course she is sir," he replied. Hmmm. But the place is quaint, cheap (i.e. several miles off the Strip), has animatronic bears and wolves, and its own all-you-can-eat buffet.
We wanted the real Vegas, so sneakily parked in The Flamingo and sauntered through several of the massive casinos. It was quiet, for Vegas, but still packed, which I suppose is surprising for a Monday night out of season. People need to gamble! We scratched that particular itch by returning to the more sedate environs of Sam's Town and trying the 1 cent machines. No winnings for either of us, I'm afraid, and no free drinks from absent cocktail waitresses. I'll send Hannah out to find her own big spender - I'm too old, and off to bed.
The finest breakfast in Victorville!
Even the ghosts have abandoned it.
Can't blame them.
A decent fit.
Authentic gold rush signs.
Looking down at the desert.
We did take a ride on their train.
Hannah: dismissive.
For the dog that has everything.
The big thermometer, that didn't work.
No longer vegetarian.
Oh, yeah, we also stopped at a place that sold "alien jerky".
Posing with a Joshua Tree.
The Hoover Dam.
What if they're saddled?
High up and scary.
Right foot in Nevada, left foot in Arizona.
The view from our room in Sam's Town.
They have a live bear here! Oh, wait...
Almost rivaling the Bellagio.
No Hannah, do not gamble, it is evil!
Moon over Vegas.
Hannah studied modern languages at uni, and so was obviously amazed at the authenticity of the "Paris" casino.
Vegas, as usual.
Bellagio fountains, spraying to "Fly Me to the Moon".
Oh, we did eat somewhere cool for dinner (i.e. cheap): Secret Pizza at The Cosmopolitan.
Sicilians regard that as a very sacred relationship.
The Mirage volcano, also authentic.
Negative winnings...
