In the Summer of 2004 we decided to make a trip over to The U.S.A.
We left London's Gatwick airport and took the 10 hour flight to Las Vegas Mclean airport, as we approached the runway, the Captain of the plane reported low air pressure in one of the tyres and warned thay our American cousins on the ground may over react to the News that he had passed onto the Ground crew but there was absolutly no need to be concerned.
As we landed we were chased down the runway by several trucks of the Airport fire department with flashing lights.
We hopped into a taxi and headed to our hotel, we were staying at the impressive Luxor hotel. As we pulled up to the imposing black pyramid that is the Luxor Hotel, it felt as though we'd arrived in ancient Egypt, but with a dash of 21st-century Las Vegas flair. The grand, glass-encased entrance gleamed beneath the hot Nevada sun. Outside, the massive Sphinx statue greeted us with its enigmatic gaze, a perfect photo-op moment that we couldn’t resist. The excitement of our upcoming stay was already building.
Walking through the towering entrance, we were immediately enveloped by the grand scale of the hotel lobby. Above us stretched the vast pyramid ceiling, which seemed to go on forever. A giant obelisk stood as a center point, and ancient Egyptian motifs adorned the walls, combining the essence of a modern casino with a theme-park-like atmosphere.
When we finally made our way to our room, the journey was part of the experience. The elevators, or “inclinators” as they call them, ride up the side of the pyramid at an angle. It was a slightly disorienting but fun feature that added to the overall sense of novelty.
The following day we went exploring down the famous Strip.
Exploring the Strip felt like walking through a fantasyland, where each hotel was its own self-contained universe. Just steps from the Luxor, we were transported from ancient Egypt to a medieval castle at Excalibur.
And before we knew it, we were under the Eiffel Tower at the Paris Hotel, gazing up at a replica of the Arc de Triomphe. The sheer scale and creativity of each resort was staggering—every one offering something different, a blend of fantasy and reality in a single glance.
The Venetian, with its indoor canals and gondolas floating beneath painted skies, was particularly captivating. We wandered through the Grand Canal Shoppes, sipping iced coffee while admiring the seemingly endless luxury boutiques and cafes. The gondoliers, with their striped shirts and serenades, brought a touch of romance to the atmosphere, an oasis of calm amidst the high-energy of the Strip.
The following day we took a trip up to the Stratosphere Hotel, from the top there are some superb views of the surrounding desert. There were also a number of rides at the top of the Stratosphere and we enjoyed watching the tourists screaming with joy.
As we stepped out onto the observation deck, the heat of the desert sun contrasted with the cool winds at this elevation, adding to the dramatic atmosphere. The neon lights of Vegas glittered in the distance, even during the day. Every inch of the deck gave a different perspective—from the distant mountains framing the city to the vibrant, bustling streets below. It felt like we were on top of the world, seeing Las Vegas from a whole new angle.
We had a couple of drinks in Freemont street as we people watched some of the Characters that inhabit the City.
We then headed over to Cashman Field, home of the local Baseball team, Las Vegas 51's. The one thing we did notice was the amount of food and drink that the crowd consumed.
Grand Canyon.
We made our back to Mclean airport to take a helicopter out to the Grand Canyon.
The sensation of flying over the vast expanse of the Mojave Desert was exhilarating. As we ascended, the sprawling city seemed to shrink beneath us, and soon, the natural majesty of the landscape took over. The jagged ridges and deep gorges of the Canyon came into view, revealing a spectrum of earth tones—red, orange, and gold—under the bright sun.
Hovering above the Colorado River, we were awestruck by the immensity of the canyon’s sheer cliffs, stretching for miles in both directions. The helicopter dipped lower, providing us with stunning close-up views of rock formations that seemed almost otherworldly. The shadows created by the setting sun danced across the canyon walls, enhancing the sense of depth and timelessness.
As we flew over the Canyon's edge, the sight took our breath away. There were other helicopter's inside the canyon but they looked like the size of insects to us.
As we flew toward Lake Mead, the rugged terrain gave way to a more tranquil scene. The deep blue of the lake shimmered beneath us, a striking contrast to the arid desert surroundings. The sheer size of Lake Mead became more apparent as we soared above it, with its calm waters stretching out into the horizon, fed by the mighty Colorado River.
Flying over the lake, we could see the famous Hoover Dam in the distance, a marvel of engineering standing tall amidst the desert. The dam looked tiny from our aerial vantage point, but its significance was impossible to miss. The stark contrast between the water reservoir and the surrounding barren landscape was mesmerizing, reminding us how human ingenuity and nature can create something awe-inspiring together.
Chrysler Sebring convertible.
We Picked up hire car and headed to Red rock canyon, the colours of the rocks and the vastness of the desert were impressive.
Our first stop was Red Rock Canyon, just a short 30-minute drive west of the city. The transformation in scenery was dramatic—one moment we were cruising past casinos, and the next, we were surrounded by towering red rock formations, their jagged outlines stark against the bright blue sky.
The 13-mile scenic loop road through the canyon offered breathtaking views at every turn. We made several stops along the way to soak in the incredible vistas and snap a few photos. The towering sandstone cliffs, some as high as 3,000 feet, glowed in shades of red, orange, and pink as the sunlight shifted. It felt surreal to be surrounded by such natural beauty, just a short drive from the bustling city.
We decided to stretch our legs and hike a short trail, leading us through ancient rock formations and desert flora, with towering Joshua trees lining the way. The dry, warm air and the stillness of the canyon felt like a complete contrast to the constant buzz of the Strip.
After our serene morning in Red Rock Canyon, we set off for our next destination: the Hoover Dam. The drive to the dam took us east of Las Vegas, along a stretch of highway that cut through the stark desert landscape. It took just under an hour to reach this colossal piece of engineering, but the sight of the dam as we rounded the final bend was absolutely worth it.
The sheer scale of the Hoover Dam was overwhelming. Standing 726 feet tall and holding back the immense waters of Lake Mead, the dam is a true testament to human ingenuity. We took a guided tour, learning about the construction challenges faced in the 1930s and the monumental effort it took to bring the dam to life. Walking along the top of the dam, we peered down the steep drop into Black Canyon below, and it was hard not to be amazed by the views and the sense of history all around.
We drove over to the Hoover Dam which took about 45 minutes and the temps were over 100 degrees. We took a tour of the generator room and due to a broken lift we had to walk right through the inside of the dam, apparently this had not happened for a number of years.
As the late afternoon sun began to dip, we arrived at Sagebrush Ranch, nestled in the middle of a desert that stretched as far as the eye could see. The ranch exuded an authentic Western charm, complete with rustic wooden fences, the soft whinny of horses, and the scent of sagebrush carried by a warm breeze. Our guide, a seasoned cowboy with a wide-brimmed hat and weathered boots, greeted us with a friendly smile and introduced us to our horses. I was paired with a gentle bay mare, while Mandy rode a beautiful chestnut gelding, both accustomed to carrying visitors into this timeless wilderness.
The tour started slowly, the horses' hooves softly kicking up dust as we followed the narrow trail leading away from the ranch. Almost instantly, the city felt worlds away, its energy fading into the distance as we became enveloped by the quietude of the Mojave. The landscape was a sea of muted colors, dotted with hardy plants like Joshua trees and spiky yucca, which seemed to thrive in the harsh environment. It was easy to imagine cowboys and outlaws of the Old West once traversing this same terrain, seeking solace under the same expansive skies. The Wranglers that guided us were very informative about the desert and its wildlife.
As we rode deeper into the desert, the sky began to shift. Hues of fiery orange and soft pink splashed across the horizon, turning the barren land into a painter's canvas. The sun’s descent transformed everything, casting long shadows and bathing the sand and rock formations in a golden glow. The silence was punctuated only by the soft shuffle of the horses and the occasional call of a distant bird, creating an atmosphere of serenity that is difficult to describe but impossible to forget.
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