TUESDAY | Even though it was going to add additional miles to our journey there was no alternate to taking Route 66 to Las Vegas. We took the first exit that put us onto the historical path and within the hour we were pulling up Seligman. The town reeked of history with old fashioned cars and tractors lining the main drag. Recognising the tourist opportunity Seligman has drenched itself in kitsch decorations that make for ideal photo opportunities. Before hitting up the diner for shakes and burgers we wandered the town taking a few snaps. Our lunch time entertainment was a nearby group of Aussies who were part of a tour. Hearing our nations accent cast shame and wonder into us, was that how the rest of the world heard us? Next stop on the Route 66 tour was an impromptu pull over at a rustic gas station. Like Seligman it had gone over the top in staging a vintage vibe but the lack of neighbouring exhibitions made it feel more genuine and charming. We arrived into Las Vegas just after 3pm and were underwhelmed by its lack of sparkle. We recognised that this place light up at night but our first impression was bland. After Ash navigated the streets and valet system we checked in and made our way up to our Strip facing room. Directly opposite us sat the white mammoth that is Caesars Castle, it consumed our entire view. Ash located a dinner venue down the road at the Cosmopolitan: MoMo Fuku. Daylight was slipping away as we made the frustrating tourist saturated walk down the strip. Our lack of reservation resulted in a bar seat for dinner which worked out well for us as we could people watch the kitchen and servers. We indulged in an array of dishes with included yellowtail salad, buns, Brussel sprouts and chilled noodle salad. Towards the end of our meal the gent next to us started to converse with us and so as we wrapped us eating we chatted with him about our trip. Appetites appeased it was back on to the strip to see it shin in all its neon glory. We started with two water fountain shows outside the Bellagio then we shuffled down the strip musing at the tourists clicking selfies in front of the faux monuments. Eyes aching from the neon we headed back to our hotel to indulge in a late-night dessert in a 50s style diner that sat in the middle of the casino floor. Whilst people gambled away there money we gambled on our health with peanut butter & chocolate milkshakes and apple pie. Juiced up from the sugar the next decision was completely illogical: bed time. WEDNESDAY | We were delighted to discover that mornings in Vegas is quiet and high functioning. After a boring brunch at our hotel we swung by the pool to suss out whether we would spend a lazy afternoon. It was evident very quickly we would not be returning. The DJ blasted dance tracks whilst middle aged adults and retires lounged on sun beds and floated in the aqua pool. It was like spring break all over again except everything was sagging low with wrinkle coverage. Into the car we bailed and made the quick trip to the "welcome to Las Vegas sign". After being stuck in the car for 10 minutes waiting to turn into the signs car park we decided I was best placed to jump out and take the snaps then we could be on our way. Within 5 minutes the mission was accomplished and I was back in the car and we were on our way across town to the Little Elvis Chapel. Driving down one end of the strip to another was a ace way to see all the hotels without having to fight pedestrians for footpath space. After ducking into the chapel, we headed back to the Flamingo to ditch the car. After a brief stop in the room we were off to explore the weirdly wonderful Venetian. We strolled to the ever-overcast shooting stripping before heading downstairs for dinner. We settled on a restaurant that had colonial India decor with a menu made up of tapas from across the world, Sugarcane. We indulged in a few share plates until the time came to exit and dart away across town to catch our show. On the way into the Bellagio I oddly bumped into a ex-colleague but we had seats to get to so after a brief exchange we were on our way to the Cirque Du Soleil theatre to see O. Over the course of the next couple of hours the acrobats dived and swung into the water stage. We state in awe as they completed feats that our eyes boggled and chins hung open. Even as we darted around the mass of people after our show we found ourselves musing about what we had just witnessed. THURSDAY | For our final morning in Las Vegas I found myself with a scratched eyeball and no recollection of how it happened. Despite needing a eyepatch we headed off the strip for breakfast at the Palms. After our meal and an exploration of the casino we were back in Tyson ready to make the journey to LA with my left eye weeping all the way.
We'd been warned it would be lengthy and frustrating but we thought we'd found an alternate route through the mountains. After stopping in a random town for lunch we headed for the hills but Samantha our Sat-Nav had other ideas. As we headed north out of town she chimed every few minutes "make a u-turn". Normally we ignore her for a bit and she readjusts. After about 20 minutes of her not giving in we decided to stop heading up into the snow drenched mountains and retreat to the main highway.
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