Day 16 – Vegas to LA (almost)

So we’re almost back on schedule after re-routing because of the Utah fires. We decided to leave Vegas a day early; two days in the big city is enough for us cross country RV road trippers. Not that we didn’t enjoy its comforts after 10 days in the American outback. Among the Vegas highlights: swimming in the hotel pool, French brunch at Caesar’s Palace, incredible Michael Jackson/Cirque du Soleil show at Mandalay Bay, and playing a most excellent round of laser tag.

Early morning at the pool

French Onion, Croque Monsiuer and Crepes on the way.

Glowing after the MJ show

Hi scorer. # of adults: 5

One of the reasons we’re feeling particularly groovy today is that we are done with the desert. We did our 10,000 steps today on an arduous hike from our parked RV to the Hoover Dam visitor center and back again. The insane heat nearly did us in (we learned that over 100 workers died building the dam in the July heat back in the 30s).

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On I-15 from Vegas we stopped in the odd town of “Baker” and took in many of its delights: the world’s largest thermometer (it read 111º at 5:30pm), Alien Jerky store (plans for world domination included), and shakes at the Mad Greek Cafe.

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We ended up in Bakersfield this evening and tomorrow we’ll make the short drive to Sequoia and Kings Canyon. From then on its all conifers and cooler temperatures.