Viva Las Vegas! the Grand Canyon and Zion.

Howdy partners!

Excuse me whilst I get off my horse and drink my milk!

We avoided the slot machines in the airport, but crumbled when we saw the roulette table on the airport bus (only kidding). We managed to get cheap accomodation at the Stratosphere hotel on the strip. Love it or loathe it, Vegas is certainly an eye opener, and its better than Blackpool. We spent a few days walking up and down the strip, saw the fountains at the Belaggio, watched the free show at Treasure Island and avoided the - all you can eat buffets. A first for Pete was to go on his first ever rollercoaster at the New York complex, and survive with his lunch intact! We also went to the top of the Stratosphere viewing deck for the full panoramic view of the city, but didnt go on the rides on top of the building that dangle you 800ft over the side. One rollercoaster a week is enough.

Later we found a lucky three card poker table at the hotel where pete won $250. Get in! and free drinks all the time you are playing. Winner winner, chicken dinner! or Bud light, or white wine.....

After a few days we hired a car to drive out the the Grand Canyon. By the time we got to the Hoover Dam the power steering had packed up, but we had gone too far to turn back. So we spent the next three days building our biceps trying to steer the car. Its a good job most of the roads are straight. The Grand Canyon certainly was impressive and Grand! and we spent a day there walking around in the desert heat, with the millions of other tourists. We didnt see any Condors but did see a Mountain Lion run in front of the car on the drive away.

The next day we drove to Zion national park. On the way there, the car in front kicked up a stone that put a 50p sized chip in the windowscreen, which was nice. We spent a day there and it is equally as impressive in its own way. We returned to the car after dark to find a flat battery as Pete had left the lights on, but fortunately managed to get it started again after 10 minutes. The next day we drove back to Vegas to return the car and confess the incidents, but they havent got in touch since so I think we have got away with it. So if you ever need car hire abroad go with Avis! All in all, a eventful road trip, and really good time in a beautiful part of the country.

We then got on the worst greyhound bus journey in history to San francisco........

Hope everyone is well and love to all.

Pete & Urvy

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