Las Vegas

June 18

We left Zion Park around 11:00 and started a longish bus ride to Las Vegas around 11:30. When we reached las Vegas around 5:30, it was hot! It had been down right chilly in Zion that morning, so the heat in the city seemed even worse.

We made it through check-in and got to our room in Planet Hollywood eventually. The rooms are decorated in with a movie theme (of course) of sorts. One interesting component was a glass-topped side table with a movie props sealed up on the display shelf. The table in our room had a shooting script (maybe an editing chart?) from Apollo 13 in it. Around the sides of the enclosed part were photos from the film, the first one showing the scene described on the pages in the center and some additional photographs of lead actors. After we stared at that for maybe 30 seconds, we started touring hotel. Huge. I never figured out the quick way to the exits in the casino, and I’m sure they planned it that way.

We strolled through the shops o the ‘Miracle Mile,’ bought some stuff, and found a relatively inexpensive supper at an Italian place. Of course, we did spend some time in the Casino. We don’t know what to do at any of the tables, and don’t really have any desire to learn. We just watched a while and played some machines, mostly video poker. We were the absolutely typical examples of country-come-to-town. I think we ended up a little to the good for the $15.00 we spent over thirty minutes or so.

The only other thing we did that night was walk across to the Belaggio, watch the fountains, gawk at the lobby, and go to bed.

June 19

After having breakfast with the tour group at the hotel buffet, our last official time with everyone, Judy and I struck out and walked to the Venetian. We had tickets for the Wayne Brady show that evening, so we wanted to be sure we know where to go. The walk was not short, but it was pleasant enough at that time of day. It was a long way up the strip!

We gawked at the place, crossed the street and gawked at the shops of the Forum-Caesar’s Palace. Then it was back to hotel for a quick lunch before I toodled off by myself for my return to the Grand Canyon. (Don’t forget to look at the page that shows the helicopter I rode in!) Judy stayed in Las Vegas, shopped a bit, and napped. That evening we thoroughly enjoyed the Wayne Brady improv show at the Venetian. Some of the audience people chosen to participate weren’t all that quick, but it was fun nevertheless.

The next morning, we caught the shuttle to the airport, and after a long wait time, had a beautifully uneventful flight home.