Since I got blisters on my feet from walking the strip the night before, I put on bandaids and different sandals to walk around a bit.
I walked up to the Bellagio, because I was determined to see O while I was in Vegas. I went into the casino part by way of the sky walk above the streets. And then I had to wait in line for about 30 minutes at the ticket booth. But I was delighted to hear that there were plenty of cheaper good seats left for the following night’s performance. I got a third row seat close to the wall (a limited view seat) for just under $100.
The ticket said wet seat and I asked if I was going to get soaked, like at Sea World, and the ticket lady said no.
Then I wandered around the casino to the hotel in search of food. But I quickly decided not to eat there once I looked at the prices of the cafes. So I wandered around the hotel looking at the glass flower gardens and the really cool water features in the gardens. It had water spouts that flowed over walkways without making people wet and made cool patterns.
I left the hotel by the front and managed to watch my first of several performances of the fountains outside. I was mesmerized. The water splashed about in such a way that it looked like it was dancing. I knew then that I would return at night to watch it again with the lights on.
I then walked across the street to the Paris casino. I think I ate at a small cafe next door at the Planet Hollywood casino shops, but I’m not really sure.
Then I went to Paris and walked along the shops inside. I then wished that I had lots of money and could actually shop at the upscale boutiques. That thought led me back to the casino to my favourite nickel and penny slots where I proceeded to not win. Oh well.
I was getting tired by this point and decided to walk back to my hotel.
I spent the night not very adventurous and just hung out at the hotel and went to bed early.
LV on my own
•July 14, 2009 • Leave a CommentLas Vegas, Nevada
•July 5, 2009 • Leave a Comment
Me and the boys. Sam was wearing a green shirt that blended in to the green screen we posed in front of. It made for a funny photo.
After a long drive through the desert and even longer crawl across the Hoover Dam, I arrived in Las Vegas, Nevada. I was supposed to be visiting my brother but he, however, decided to be in Fort Lauderdale, FL, instead. So I stayed a few blocks from the centre of the strip at a resort-like hotel for $20/night. I also got a bunch of coupons for food, drinks and gambling at the hotels casino.
My first night I touched base with a friend I met in New Orleans and we made plans to meet up.
Looking at a map of the strip, it didn’t look very far to get from my hotel to Circus Circus, where he was staying. But it turns out that each hotel is at least 2 city blocks long and 45 mins later I arrived at his hotel. From there we met up with some other guys he had met in San Diego, and we went to the Stratosphere for the guys to go on a ride. I wasn’t feeling in the mood to be scared shitless so I just went up the tower to see the pretty views and watch the crazy people on the rides that seem to hang over the edge.
Looking at one ride that shoots its riders off the tower scared me! I remember talking to a woman who said she had been on it and had convinced her daughter to ride it. Brave people.
For dinner later, the gang went to Ihop. The boys all ordered dinners because they felt they needed some veggies and I had breakfast with pancakes. I did my best to explain to the two Brits and one guy from Switzerland that Ihop stood for International House of Pancakes and they should eat pancakes, but they seemed happy enough eating chicken and potatoes.
From there we took a cab, (my blistered feet were thankful) to another hotel to do a little bit of gambling and have a look inside the hotel. They boys tried to teach me how to play video poker, but I have decided that it’s not my game. I headed over to the nickel slots instead. You may not win big, but a dollar lasts a lot longer.
At about 3 or 4 am we were all pooped and took cabs back to our respective hotels. The boys left the next day, so the next few days I was on my own to explore the city.
Grand Canyon, Arizona
•July 5, 2009 • 2 Comments
I decided since Neal was busy with work and such, that I would take a trip north to Flagstaff, AZ, and visit the Grand Canyon. It would be a pity to come such a long way and not see it.
I was totally not prepared for the grander of it. It really did take my breath away. It was so gorgeous. And a lot colder than I thought it was going to be. The whole area was at least 10C cooler than anywhere else and with the setting sun, I think it went as low as 13C in Flagstaff.
After checking out the main viewing platform, I decided to follow the desert view road and I’m really glad that I did. Not only was it less crowded, but the views were amazing! I got some really pretty shots.
The state park was also doing controlled burns throughout the forest so the canyon was filled with smoke. I was kind of sad that I didn’t get really clear views, but during the sunset the smoke effect was really pretty.
And I love that I saw the sun set in the grand canyon. So pretty!
That night I headed back into Flagstaff, about an hour south of the canyon and stayed at a motel. I forgot that there was a hostel in the town and really I should have stayed there. But as it turns out, I stayed along the original route 66 right across from the train tracks.
The next morning I explored Flagstaff a bit and discovered that it really is a small city/town. It’s funny how some cities in the US seem big because they show up on the world map, but are really small.
For breakfast I ate at a little coffee shop and had eggs benedict for the first time. Very yummy and great coffee!
Then i headed back to Scottsdale.
Land of Nod 
