Traffic was light and we were soon happily rolling up the I15 to Las Vegas. We hired a Ford Expedition which sits solidly on the road and is very comfortable.
We joined the historic Route 66 for about 30 miles, stopping often to take photos of the mountains, salt bushes and signs. It runs parallel to the I15 which we rejoined in Barstow.
The scenery was spectacular and other worldly. The mountains looked like left over piles from a giant's mining efforts. No trees, but soil and rock in hues of mint to every yellow and orange in the spectrum.
The big blue sky and huge concrete highway made me very happy. I'd travelled this road first 15 years ago, and have been waiting to return ever since. It's still one of my favourite drives of the world.
We had lunch at Baker, in a Del Taco. $10 for lunch for two of us! Tasty soft tacos with fish and coleslaw and El Inferno hot sauce.
We passed a solar array power station - one of the most amazing things I've seen in a long while. Acres of mirrors on the ground with a central tower that was incandescent. Light appeared to have been reflected and was concentrated into a 'cloud'. Incredible to see.
Traffic increased markedly near to Vegas but we navigated successfully to the Venetian Resort and Casino on the strip. We have a luxurious suite on the 28th floor overlooking the airport. Whilst it wasn't expensive by Australian hotel standards, it was at the higher end in Vegas, partially due to the fact that it was Saturday night.
A swim was the perfect way to relax. The pool is set in beautiful gardens of topiaried hedges and fragrant jasmine. It was still about 30 degrees at 6pm.
We had an excellent dinner at Joe's, an alfresco style restaurant inside the Caesars Palace Forum Shopping mall, and then checked out the amazing interiors of Caesars, Bellagio, Paris and the Venetian casinos.
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