August 27, 2010

Provo, Utah to Las Vegas, Nevada- 375 miles

112 Sunny

Day 97

We left Provo early.We wanted to beat the late afternoon heat forecast for Las Vegas. Our drive today took us from the sparsely treed gray mountains in Utah to the barren multi-hued buttes and mountains in Nevada.

One of the most glorious rides we have had was the 20-mile ride through the Virgin River Canyon. After a long, gradual climb as you leave Utah you enter a crevasse (called a canyon here) just wide enough for a river and a four-lane highway. It was exhilarating, plunging through the canyon, winding your way along the shear walls above and below.We just kept saying, "Wow, look at that!"It was spectacular!

Soon after we entered Nevada. The dry barren mountains with their colorful red rock were beautiful.The rock was so bright it did not look real, yet there it was, what a sight to see.Homes were built right up to the colorful buttes, or on top of them. We marveled at what views they must have.

We made our decent through the colorful desert mountains into Las Vegas. It was 112 degrees by now.We had to drive through the city to get to our destination, Sam's Town RV Park & Casino.Arriving in Las Vegas was almost more than the senses could stand. We had traveled from the barren vistas of the desert mountains to the glitz and bustle of Las Vegas.

We set up in the dry heat.We ran our errands and were home before dark. We noticed how much the city had grown and spread out since our last visit five years ago.

After dinner it was already dark and we were to tired from the long hot day to go partying. It was much cooer and walked Abbie. We marveled at the glitz all around us.Vegas was a glow.

It was beautiful!