Day 4: What happens in Vegas...

Yep. I did it. I used the cliche. Unfortunately for all yous I'm gonna hold to it. But I will post some pictures from Vegas. Including some not related to gambling. The first full day in Vegas my brother and I went to the Air Force base to get a military discount on show tickets. (Tax dollars Hard at work) When what to our wondering eyes did appear? A practice run for an airshow the next day. Well needless to say we stopped and watched. PS. The F22 is unbelievable to watch in flight. So here- drool.

The always cool Stealth

The sexy new raptor

Yep, that's a REALLY big bomb

The remote controlled Reaper- Comes in

Small, Medium and Venti

In other news we went back to the Hoover Dam to see it in the glory of daylight. And a glory it is. As my brother pointed out something like this would never be built today, the activists would never let it. But I will say one thing, back then they built pretty. The whole art deco theme is unbroken and lends at least a little bit of class to the concrete randomly stuffed into a canyon. If you ever get a chance to go see it- do. It's one of the last attractions you can see for free... for now. You may notice that in the background and above this wonder is the skeleton of a brand new bridge over and above the whole canyon. Truly a new wonder in it's own right, and given the recent threats against the dam I can see why they don't want everyday traffic on it any more. I sense a toll or fee coming soon to the original road over it, so again go now while it's free. Minus of course our taxes...

Valiantly they died, but not

for all those golf courses

Why don't we do this anymore?

Because I wasn't smart enough

to get the dam in the pic

Big needless road. 

Betcha it'll be ugly

The MONEY shot

Always-


could we liquefy, you and I?

Day 3. A Very long day's journey into night...

Though the night was cool for New Mexico, the morning did not disappoint. It was warm, the sky was blue and there was a mountain behind the city. THIS is why I want to live in the west. It almost makes up for the lack of proper trees. We got ready and had a quick pow-wow about the game-plan for the day. It was going to be a long push strait through to Vegas. It would be hard. Grueling. We needed Denny's. Thankfully My brother saw a sign for on the way into town. We saddled up our steel horse and I took the reins again. Eager, but dreading the morning rush in a strange city looking somewhere for a Denny's. Until a few feet later when we realized we had just pulled out of the parking lot of the Motel that it shared with Denny's. Chagrined but determined we set about the manly work of Denny's breakfast. It was a big meal, but it had to sustain us and we even managed to block out the next table where a very large homely girl felt the need to read aloud to her (similar) boyfriend- from a trashy romance novel disguised as a Tolkien-esque fantasy. I'm no stud, but I hate that such people flock to things I like forever prejudicing everyone else against them.

With no time to loose we sped on, out into the desert. The car got warm inside but oddly the engine was running cooler than normal. But who am I to complain? We enjoyed the view of the painted rocks in the distance and the rolling hills. New Mexico is red. Very red. Even the pavement is red, or was before all the new construction started.



We passed several Indian reservations and their accompanying casinos, and suddenly We were in Arizona where the rocks are mostly not so red (for a while anyway) and bigger. But still with the reservations. I find it hard to believe that so many roadside shops have the "best" Indian art. Flagstaff was the next goal but before that we had one big stop to make. The Meteor Crater.

I have always subliminally wanted to see it, but somewhere I thought I would never get the chance. I have even been nearby it before if the Meteor Museum is to be believed. It says that the Lowell Observatory is nearby and I do remember going there as a young-in. While doing research for the trip we decided this was a definite stop, and it's only 20 min. off the main road. On the aptly named Meteor Crater Road. We found that literal road names are a trend in Arizona. The Meteor Crater Road is actually freshly paved now, and winds across fenceless cattle country. It's pretty flat almost as far as the eye can see. But sure enough- soon we saw a little jagged hill.



The edge of the Crater while jagged is not little. It juts up from the floor of the plain over a hundred feet. Set into the side of the outer wall is the visitor's center. This includes the Ramada inn, but don't worry- it's discrete. We got out of the car and discovered that for a flat plain it's fairly high altitude. Which was about to get worse. After shelling out the 15 bucks we wandered into the museum, forgoing the hour and a half movie for the quick and dirty tour of the facts on the museum's wall. Thusly armed with the facts (which are roughly- over a mile in diameter, 550 feet deep and about 50,000 years old.) we went outside.



The crater is impressive to say the least. It's just so huge and it doesn't entirely seem it. Eventually you realize that the basketball sized rocks at the bottom are really house size boulders and then your body realizes it's supposed to respond with vertigo. The the next thing hits you- It's silent. Your standing on the top of the largest thing in sight in the middle of a plain and there is no sound. Not even wind. Nothing but your ears ringing. It's almost hard to hear the person next to you. A very sobering experience. We are really a fragile little ball.



Interesting fact- the crater was used to practice for the first moon landing.



And that is why in the center at the bottom is a life sized cutout of a space suit and a replica of the flag on the moon. But unless you know where your looking it's REAL hard to see. Big- people, we're talking- big.
With a ton of pictures in the camera (for the panorama I'm going to make) we retraced our steps and headed out again.

I admit it, I was wrong. I assumed most of Arizona was- well- like the rest of it. Flagstaff is actually quite nice. And it's even in a forest. Right in the middle of a protected forest. Odd. And a mere 300ish miles away was Las Vegas. Easy distance. The sun was setting, why not shave another day off the trip and have two extra days there. So as we left and the landscape got hilly we were treated to a beautiful sight.



I'll skip past the long dark road for the most part, but when we got about 100 miles away it changed. Behind the hills the sky was ablaze. That's really how bright it is. We tried in vain as the terrain grew more mountainous to get a view of the city but it was on the other side and down. One of the best parts of the trip so far though was just a sample. We drove over the Hoover Dam at night. In the next few days we are going back so there will be pictures. The movies and pictures don't do it justice. I never expected to be so awed by it. I don't think I have ever seen any man made object so massive. And not just big, parts of it are everywhere, growing out of every rock. I can't wait to see it in the daylight.

And then we were down and staring across the desert at the sea of light that is Las Vegas. It's big too. I've seen big cities before, but Las Vegas is really wide. And it's really odd to see a big city with no skyscrapers, just hotels and a beacon to space. I'll go more into depth in the next few days, but for now tonight's highlights.

The first stop was to the Sahara to go to the bathroom and generally expose me to the cacophony that I will by experiencing the next few days. Then we went for a little drive around town to find a hotel. We found one right on the old strip, and after unpacking thats right where we went.



It's a bright busy place with so much going on, but it's apparently tame next to the new strip. I tried a few slots tonight, but no real luck- hopefully that will change. C'mon- daddy needs a federal grant payment! To the blackjack tables tomorrow.



Tonight's random crowd drawing event- a fireman competition. And one more parting thought: Drunk women ogle and drool worse than men do any day of the week. It's degrading. Really, your supposed to be the more evolved gender. Sigh. Now to bed, and tomorrow the world!


Always-



Vivaaaa Las Vegas...

Day 2: In which very little is seen but many miles are covered.

I awoke bright and early ready to seize the day! Right after I figured out which state I was in, which time zone and took a shower. Even with little sleep though I was excited. Yesterday was nostalgic, but today we were going to cover ground I had never seen before. Well I'm told I've seen lots of it but as far as I'm concerned if I was there before I could use the potty on my own like a big boy- I was never there. Well maybe in some larval state but again since larvae don't have eyes- anyhoo on with the story. Bearing the previous though in my mind we went to the hotel office to get our "free" continental breakfast. I know it sounds better than free coffee and doughnuts but maybe some people who hate eggs and waffles pass the place up because of the name.

I grabbed a fresh glass of OJ and being the rebel that I am i took three doughnuts. It's nice to have solid food again. After an abbreviated meal we strapped in and took off with me in the pilot seat. With the original goal being Oklahoma City I knew that today was going to be a long haul and soon I found out why. Oklahoma is very pretty and the leaves were changing- it reminds be of Pennsylvania or the upper peninsula. Rocky out croppings, rolling rills and close trees. For miles. And miles. Suffice it to say not much happened in Oklahoma besides the miles rolling by. Before we got half way I knew I would, for once, be happy to see the desert.

While stopping for gas I had yet another one of those moments that make me so happy I have to damn near swoon. We were cruising the energy drink isle like any young male and I came upon one of my favorites: a can of Whoop Ass. Yep, I know, tacky and cliche. But sometimes cliches tickle me. But there was something different about this can- it was easily several times larger than those at home! And we weren't even in Texas yet. "Wow" I said using my awesome ability to state the obvious, "An actual big ol' Can of Whoop Ass." So of course I grabbed it and by god it actually said BIG OL' CAN OF WHOOP ASS on the side of it. This was clearly destiny.



We stopped around midday to switch seats and being so close to our original goal we kept driving. Nothing to loose and nothing but new scenery to gain. We pushed on through to the panhandle of Texas and just as the sun was setting and we made our way towards our new goal- Amarillo. Thankfully we didn't see or run over any armadillos (I hear they can mess your car up sumfin fierce). We did see cows. And flat land. Not much green either. Pretty much what I remember of the state from previous visits, and contrary to a few other people's stories, I have to think that most of the state is fairly drab. But to each their own. In the remaining few hours of light, with not much else to look at, I decided to act like the trendy technology whore that my generation is supposed to be. Between playing Klondike on an IPOD and setting up a second GPS it helped pass the time. While listening to the two robotic women order us to go in different directions was funny I'm sure my brother was feeling the same chill I was- of an unpleasant and possible future...



We decided to keep the original wife around and after throwing the second one back in the glove compartment, we watched the sun set and began looking for our target- A big Texas steak. Thankfully we searched the internet and found a suitable place before hand. We pulled into Amarillo at around 9pm and arrived at The Big Texan - home of the "world famous" 72 oz steak. It's free if you can eat it in one hour. Don't ask the price if you can't. Now after a long day in the car a juicy steak and a beer was amazing. It was everything I could have hoped for. The restaurant was fun too. True to fashion it looked like an old saloon and "Inn". I have to admit though I almost couldn't handle it when the girl came to take our order, with the most stereotypical texan accent ever. I didn't know if I should laugh or cry. In short though it was fun and just the kind of place you need to stop at after driving through several states.







With our bellies full we should have stopped for the night, but the closer we got the more time my brother wanted to spend in Las Vegas so he decided if we made it at least halfway to Albuquerque tonight we would have that much of a head start tomorrow. So once again we set off. But one last surprise was in store for us. One of the "world's largest" attractions was right on the way! We had already missed the world's largest caulk tube earlier so there was no way we were missing this. While Texas (fittingly) has a few of these titles the one we got to see was the world's largest cross. Joy of joys!. After a bit of driving through neighborhoods we found a path into a field near it. Seconds later we had the picture and sense of a job well done.




Not only did we make it halfway, we went all the way to Albuquerque and pulled in to a seedy Motel 6, next to what I can only assume was the BETTER Motel 76. After A few obligatory Bugs Bunny jokes we went to bed warm again in the desert.

Tomorrow: Another big push and real touristy stuffs!


Always-



Well my girl left me, my doggie died, and my truck still don't work so good...

Day 1

So here it is, the big day. I got back to home at noon to finish packing. Alas it was not to be. After all the careful planning at the very end we were left with more outside the car than in. Amidst curses and grunts I began to further triage my worldly belongings. After a hasty few minutes everything was set to be put back in the car. Nut as luck would have it it was not so easy. So what you may ask did the fates find to stall our trip? Somehow the trunk lock decided it needed time off and mysteriously broke. I had waited too long to for this trip and nothing was going to stop us so we packed up everything we wouldn't need on the trip and closed the trunk again, a problem to be solved at our destination. Crisis... delayed.

Hugs went round, the gps went online and we were off. My brother, a Hula girl and me. Only 3 hours late.

We decided to go toward Lansing and down to Indianapolis so the next three hours were spent looking at parts of Michigan I have not seen in a while and probably won't again for a long time. The light but persistent rain followed us across the border and most of the way into the night. About the time it got dark my pain pills kicked in so it's all a little fuzzy for a while after that, but all in all it was an un-inveventful drive.

Long about Fort Wayne Scott and I started the common argument over who had to pick where to eat. For two ornery guys, sometimes we are both too polite. Thankfully fate decided to throw us a bone. Suddenly before our very eyes was the shining citadel of culinary flavor that we had spoken of with whispered longing only hours before- The White Castle. No further discussion was needed. Mini burgers were scant feet away waiting to be devoured. And we did. Bellies now full we left satisfied that the gods had blessed this trip.

It was smooth sailing into St. louis. My brother and I have both been there before so we traded stories about the gateway to the west. Since once upon a time long ago I lived there (if only for a summer) It was fun coming back to the city. i remember it fondly, It was the first time I lived in a city outside my home state. I know, momentous right? Well it seemed like it at the time. It felt good to finally show my brother around and point out the places I have lived and worked much like he always does for us. All in all my memories from there and that time are pretty good. Though I have been far to nostalgic lately for this to have done me any good. With a flash we zoomed through the city and past Six Flags which means flat land is gone and now the hills will come.



Our first day had taken us past St. Louis and late into the night. We pulled into the humble little Travel Lodge at 2:30 am and wobbled gratefully into the room. Two beds and clean white sheets, what more could two travelers ask for?

Day 2 starts early at 8:30am, and look out drivers- it's my turn behind the wheel.

Stay tuned and stay healthy!



Always-




In one mile turn left. turn left... turn now (repeat)

Disclaimer

So because of long hours on the road and a lack of wifi spots the trip entries may be late. Deal. I sure as hell have to.

Remember remember....

Happy Guy Fawkes day.

Unfortunately I will not be participating in the burning of any effigies today, but I think the picture works just as well. I suppose depending on witch camp your from you might burn the Pope today... but even though I'm not Catholic I still feel wary of even looking for a picture of that.

So in the last few days not much has gone on really. Planning has taken most of our time. The car is now half packed for tomorrow's departure. My brother has been trying to pimp my car out so the trip is more comfortable for us and apparently we needed a beaded seat cover. I raised my eyebrow skeptically as I ofen do. We shall see how it works out. The first few moments I sat in it were not horrendous, and at least he had the good sense to get black. No sense making my car look tacky.

Surprisingly I'm not feeling all that excited. I'm not scared, I need to do this. For some reason it just seems like another day. Hopefully it will hit me when we get on the road. The exhaustion sure will. This trip has given me some interesting moments to ponder. While checking for cool roadside attractions on Google Earth I found the place in Belgium where I... broke the law. I guess that since I can't go back there this is the only way I can see it.

My thoughts are a bit of a jumble lately and not entirely because of the drugs. But I did just remember a random childhood memory. It's always odd how those memories come out of nowhere and always see like they only half happened to me. For some reason when I was younger I would occasionally search under my seat in our van and find a surprise. I never discussed it with my parents and I never knew why. Thinking back now I guess I could have been ruining the only hiding place that was outside the house. Things like that make me feel more guilty than the "big" things from my past. Not a heavy guilt, but more of a sorrow.

On a happier note- though it is rainy today it seems that for now our trip will be sunny and clear all the way to Las Vegas. Thank heaven for small things. Now if only my pain pills would kick in...

We leave tomorrow at or around noon sometime and I will be gone. It will be a long time before i get to come back but that really doesn't make me sad. I've spent enough time waiting, now it's time for action.

Most of the trip seems to be close to WiFi points so I am going to try to keep up day by day. We have plenty of memory cards for the camera so I expect there will be enough pictures to bore everyone. Hopefully next time I write will be from the road.

See you on down the road...



Always-




California here we come...