Viva Las Vegas

Day 7-9 - September 19-21
St. George - Vegas

This morning started the reason behind this whole road trip; a good friend's birthday celebration in none other than Las Vegas. But first, I had to take the 2 hour drive down I15 from St. George to the city of extreme sin (after visiting I felt like I was able to judge :) ). So I got up from my not so good sleep at the Knights Inn and ate what was offered at the continental breakfast (not much, but I did get a honey bun which I have not had in forever - a guilty pleasure of mine) before packing up and moving out. The views were so gorgeous the night before and this morming, which made me want to ask someone who has lived in/within sight of mountains for a prolonged period of time if they ever take them for granted. Every time I see mountains,  I envy at their beauty, while respecting/admiring their size. They are like the bacon for landscapes; can be enjoyed by itself, but when combined with sunsets, clouds, lakes, etc. they synergistically make everything more beautiful. So yeah, if someone could get back to me on that, I would appreciate it.

So the drive starts out going through the top corner of Arizona before entering this gorge that you serpentine through. I saw an 18 wheeler handle like a sports car - speed limit 75. Im taking it easy going 65-70, this 18 wheeler comes from nowhere and is passing me and a handful of cars who were easily passing me as well. I was impressed to high hell with the sheer tenacity of this driver and the skill level but then I was relieved he  was in front of me cause I want that no where near me.

The gorge is amazing, on the other side is what I have been waiting to see; actual desert. Not the weak sauce desert of New Mexico/Arizona I saw earlier. Real, barren,  hot as balls desert. The Mojave takes the cake. Slight vegetation with mountains? that are more like sand hills in the distance; don't have the same rugged rocky look as mountains. There was the occasional "desert tree" that I grew fond of (I am too lazy to look them up but they look like miniature lorax trees or small cactus palm trees) looking at on the drive. When I was ~30 miles out, I passed what I can only assume is the waste water treatment plant from Vegas as it smelt like stomach acid (that smell of throw up is unforgettable once it hits your nostrils). Once I got past that, thanking my lucky stars the smell didnt make me hurl into my helmet as that would make for an interesting time, I eventually saw the city in its dormant state, with fighter jets running drills over head. It was cool seeing our service people doing their thing. I pull into the casino parking lot (stayed at Monte Carlo) and wait for everyone else, I am the first one in. The group slowly trickles in throughout the day with some beverages and gambling occupying our time until we are at full force then we go to the Höfbräu house for dinner and some ass slappings (they a lady going around with a paddle and apparently if you buy a shot fromher, she hits you HARD on the buttox. Im glad I didnt have to do it as my ass is ginger from all the riding. Any who,  after dinner we do do some more gambling and hanging out until bed time.

Next day is pool time so we amass in the pool area and hangout until late lunch at the pub in the hotel. After that we get back to the tables (noticing a trend?) until bed time (which for me I wish it was earlier).

Next day was a slow day as the goal was sports gambling on NFL and easy gambling as we prepare for departure early the next day. I took this opportunity to go out on the strip and look at Vegas alive. Unfortunately I got sidetracked by construction blocking my progress and didn't get too far :(. Returned to the tables and then went up to gather my things as I leave early in the morning.

I definitely understand how the city maintains its nickname, and I wouldn't mind going back more as a tourist to see different casino's extravagance and what not but I enjoyed the group of guys I was with and my first visit to Vegas.

Tomorrow road trip's second half begins.