As a result we set off from LA with out so much as a map. CT preferred the GPS method, but hadn't got round to setting it up, I had thought that buying a good old fashioned map would be ok, it wasn't until we got to Barstow, using my mini GPS on my work mobile phone that we started to realise that perhaps we should have planned a bit more. So a few false starts, stops at Walmart, and mini marts in the hottest place in USA 104'c we managed to arrive at our first vaguely planned destination - Lake Mead. One small problem, was the intense dry heat at this kind of temperature it would be almost dangerous to camp with the children. In fact at the camp ground there were only 2 tents, the warden and another - bikini style tent (more on that later). We drove around the camp ground looking for shade, there was one piece, right next to another tent which wouldn't go down well in the UK if you picked the only spot right next to someone else when there was no other tents around! Anyway we decided to leave the decision until later. Lake Mead sounded good on paper, huge resevoir lake next to the Hoover dam, water sports, beach style entry point to the lake, lakeside campground. One problem being you couldn't stay outside for more than 30 minutes. Anyway having sat in the car - our only shelter! I got the girls out to take a dip in the lake. Couldn't be bothered to get the cossies out of the suitcase at the bottom of the pile, so sent them out in their pants and t-shirts, which strict instructions to keep their hats on in the water. They went off quite happily, but LM was quite distressed by the heat, crying when we got out of the car as the hot wind blew in his face. I explained that it would be better once we got down to the water - which it was. He kept both shorts and t-shirt on. I was really pleased because the girls, who tend to just mess about when they get in the sea and seem to lose all ability to swim, were actually swimming up and down. CT has been taking them swimming every week since he stopped work and they have really come on both in confidence and in ability. LM was quite happy just splashing about on the shore, but boy was it hot.We rehearsed the whistle. As we left Birmingham, when we were still in the car, mum said she had something very important for me, my mind jumped to money, or some other useful item for when we were away, and was slightly disappointed when she produced a whistle. However, this soon turned to pleasure, when I realised just how useful this would be. I have been quite worried about losing the kids in a crowd. We are a bit relaxed when we walk around and they tend to lurch around aisles and run about shop floors, LM included. How would we keep them under control, or be able to respond if we become worried. But with the whistle…. The drill was three short blows for "look at me & wait further insturctions" to one long blow, meaning "danger, coem to me immediately" With this I felt I had a much better chance of getting immediate response, whereas shouting and yelling tends to result in the "I shouldn't have to tell you to do something more than once" and we inevitably do.Anyway the girls played life saving in the lake, and I was very pleased that they were swimming by themselves usually they don't acutally swim in the water. All credit to CT who has been swimming every week with them since he has been off work.Visited the Hoover Dam - building a huge big bridge above it. Passed over to Arizona and backSo without a campsite and not really a plan we decided to head for the North Rim of the Grand Canyon via Las Vegas. I was convinced we would be able to get into Circus Circus at late notice so we bowled up there at about 7.30pm. No room at this in. Couldn't get on the internet as the access was locked as we sat outside the back of the hotel near the RV park, that had a play area, not for children but for dogs!We had picked up a phone in Walmart and now we got the chance to use it. With our leaflet on the hotels phoned round and found a room at Treasure Island (TI) for $129. Not too bad, and a very nice room too. A sheets and huge beds - plenty of room for 3 plus 2 and lovely quiet air conditioning. Decided to see the sights of Vegas for nothing.Set off in the morning to find some breakfast away from TI, and started to walk up the strip towards circus circus. Studip English walking along! Amazing eletronic billboards advertising the shows, quite a few shows for Circus de Soliel. Met some security guards and asked them where a good place to get Breakfast was, Pepper Mill, quite a walk though. Finally got there and was a physcadelic diner. Good eggs Benedict Christopher had some strange fried breakfast with onions and peppers. Children had pancakes again in the shape of a bear, the same as Pit Stop Pancakes.Walked back to TI was a bit quicker this time, but was very hot by the time we got down to the pool. And busy. Unlucky because the price for the next night went up to $189 as there were conferences in time, so I had to get on the phone again and we were off to Luxor by 12.Got checked in and had a break in the room. MGM Lions, Circus Circus but only for a practise, then for a burger in Big Kauhna Burger quickly as pirate show started at 7pm. The funnest thing with Edward falling asleep while sucking his coke. Unfortunately high winds meant that the pirate show was called off.At Luxor Hotel, Breakfast in the room, down to the pool early - in the shade. Finally we arrived at the south Rim, Alpine forrest, green meadows, cool, et to the Grand Canyon and start camping. Feels so much better. Lovely wooded campground, but we hadn't booked in so it was a risk. There was a National Forrest campground about 20k before which was limited on facilities. Luckily there was a spot free in the group camp area, which meant we had to share a fire bowl, but hey what luck. In fact it turned out that we were very early on to the site as we had got confused with the time zones. Anyway, finally manged to put up the tenet. Sit down with a cup of coffee and relax into the life! The camp ground was literraly on the edge of the canyon, we only had to walk 20 m to look over and see it. Kids put up the hammock, a vital part of our camping experience and we hung out for a few hours, before heading off to the North Rim visitors centre.