Las Vegas, NV
What do you do when you only have 18 hours to see stuff in Las Vegas and your not interested in the usual scene? Well I usually pinterest ideas, trip advisor, or road trippers something. For this trip our group decided the closest we would get to the Strip was the Vegas sign at the end of it. Instead we hit Hoover Dam, the Valley of Fire, and a pinball warehouse.
Driving from Phoenix to Vegas you pass Nothing, AZ. Where there used to be a population of 4. Sadly, nothing remains.
Some stark scenery on the long 4hr drive
Endless mountains in the Southwest US
After arriving in Las Vegas around 8pm we rounded up our third member of the party and headed over to the Pinball place. Super cool spot with alot of vintage rigs. All working and only 25 cents to play the older ones.
Seems like this guy had his hands full. Theres maybe 100 different old consoles in there that you can play.
Its easy to get sucked into the pinball fun. Kacey getting frustrated in this one haha
Katie our third traveler getting her pinball on
This was the closest we got to the “usual Vegas”. None of us are really into gambling or the party lifestyle associated with sin city. But we figured why not go see the iconic sign.
Katie in front of “the sign”
Trying to get away from the crowds as usual. We walked across the street towards the airport where I was much more interested
Across from the sign, a much more interesting bit of americana sat. A flawless example of a Lockheed Jetstar!
The next morning we headed out to the Hoover Dam. This is the view from the first lookout. Its awe inspiring to see.
Kacey being more brave than me!
The entrance to the bridge walkway. Odd and filled with facts about the bridge.
We then headed farther down to drive across the dam and park on the other side.
On the far side of the dam is the overflow pipe. this picture doesnt do it justice. Its massive, at least 40ft in diameter. Like a waterslide for a giant.
Lake Meade side. Beautiful water and architecture meets alien looking terrain.
Looking over the edge. There are trucks parked on the edge at the bottom, for a size reference. Its disorienting to look over the edge.
After leaving the Hoover Dam we headed out to the Valley of Fire. A strange desolate place that looks so hostile you start second guessing even driving into it.
Temperatures rival the Phoenix valley, staying well above 100 with no relief from clouds. The rocks look as though they are on fire!
Kacey hiding in some rare shade
Katie jumping!
Even had some opportunity to explore offroad a little. Its a Subaru thing.
After leaving the Valley of Fire we headed back to the airport to drop Katie off. Had we planned ahead a little more I think a visit to the sign graveyard at night would have been a good addition but they are typically sold out a day in advance. Thanks for reading!
