Saturday
July 19, 2014
This morning was beautiful as we got up to move on to our next destination. The sky was crystal clear and the temperature was 57 degrees. We drove down the mountain from the sky resort and ate breakfast at a restaurant called The Breakfast Club. It had just what we needed COFFEE.
The land out here continues to be endless. We were driving by a huge lake but I did not realize how big it was. I made the comment that the water was low and there were stumps sticking out of the water. When we were closer after driving several miles, Caroline told us it was boats!! The land is so wide out here that it is difficult to get a handle on how far away a mountain or anything might be. The mountain peaks today went on and on.
We have seen all kinds of farming since we left Reidsville. Today we were surprised to see a huge herd of sheep. I remember watching a movie once where a lady was bringing sheep in to cattle country. John Wayne was in it I think.
One stop today was at Manzanar State Park. It is the site of a Japanese American internment camp which the US established at the beginning of WWII. All persons which Japanese connections were taken from their homes with only what they could carry in a suitcase and taken to this place. It was totally out in the desert. Flat land all around with nothing but shrubs. Manzanar was home to over 12,000 internees during the war. They hadn't done anything wrong but after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, US was afraid of spies, etc. It was not like a prison camp. They could come and go as they pleased on the ground had activities such as dances, school plays, baseball, etc but they were surrounded by barbed wire and guard towers. We watched an informational film and I was in tears by the end. I read a really good book that sort of went along with this. It is entitled "The Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet."
We then topped off the tank with gas and headed towards Death Valley. I sat there wondering what I had let George get us in to. LOL. I was relieved to see cars meeting us coming out and that there were some vehicles behind.
Let me tell you there is nothing out there except rocks, cliffs, mountains, shrubs, Joshua Trees and heat!! We watched the thermometer go up and up on the car. Our car thermometer reached 118 degrees. At the visitor center it was 116.5/117 degrees. There was a stiff wind blowing but it was hot!
We finally exited that hot place and headed towards Las Vegas. After quite a long ride in which there is nothing and bam....there are casinos. Las Vegas continues to grow and old casinos are coming down and new ones are being erected. We had two things to do before we went to our room. Caroline is coming home tomorrow, so went went by the airport to pick up her boarding pass. We then went to the iconic "Welcome to Fantastic Las Vegas" sign and got our picture made. There was a huge crowd there getting their pictures made and having a good time.
We have reservations at the Excalibur. It has a castle theme. When we arrived at the front entrance, it was nothing like checking in at the Comfort Inn or Best Western. Four rows of cars/taxis all lined up and all in a hurry. George gave me the reservation papers and told me to go register. I just jumped out of the car and forgot my cell phone. Well, when you walk in to this place it is huge!!!! I walked and walked before I found the reservation desk. The queue to register was full. I then realized that I didn't know how to get in touch with George or where he and Caroline were. I finally had my turn registering and came and stood our front of the motel waiting for George and Caroline. Thank heavens I look frazzled 'cause I sure didn't want to be mistaken for a girl looking for a job!! We finally caught up with each other.
Had dinner at the buffet. Caroline went her way and George and I headed to my dream store M&M World. Yes I did a little shopping but I kept my senses. Four floors of everything M&M.
Got this checked off my bucket list.
Needless to say, it was a Saturday night and downtown LV and the casinos were packed. I have never seen such a mishmash of people. I just wanted to stand out of the way and look. I know one thing CSI needs to get some more off the edge people in their crowds on their show. LOL
We did go to the casino and I had my $ to play slots. It just wasn't the same though. All you do is push a button. I always liked to yank the handle. Your credits or winnings come out on a piece of paper that you redeem. So much for the plastic cup with coins in it. I left with the $ I came with, except for what I left at the M&M Store.
Went to bed earlier than most of the rest of town.
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