We were treated to spectacular views of soaring mountains and great driving roads with little traffic. We crossed roaring rivers of snowmelt, sagebrush painting the hillsides bright olive green.
The rocky outcrops and roads along the valley reminded me of the old western movies when someone would be watching the carriage train from above, dislodging a trickle of rocks, alerting the pioneers.
A number of the passes through the range were still closed after winter, including the one into the eastern gate of Yosemite.
We left the 395 at Mono Lake, an enormous inland lake with no outlet, so it is salty, with its own interesting ecosystem.
The road through the desert was a treat. Huge blue sky, great roads, wildflowers galore, military bases, UFOs and aliens to watch for. Part of the 375 is called the Extraterrestrial Highway as there have been numerous UFO sightings from this road. The famed Area 51 borders the road, as does Nellis Airforce Base. There are only a few buildings along the route so there would not be much unnatural light at night - perfect for star gazing! And plane spotting. Signs along the highway alert drivers to low flying aircraft.
We rolled into Las Vegas late in the afternoon to 36 degrees - the hottest it's been all holiday. The Venetian staff welcomed us and we gratefully relaxed into our 20th floor suite.
Rooms are quite cheap in Vegas, but the hotels on the strip are enormous! This one has 7,000 rooms. It is tricky finding your way around too - trying to get out of the building can be a challenge.
We have a view of the mountain range to the west, and the lively Las Vegas Strip.
Yes, real gondolas!
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