On board the helicopter flight were four Australians, our pilot and the three of us. The flight began by flying over the large pine forest at 180km/hr 100m above the trees. Surprising it seemed a lot slower then 180km/hr. We then dropping over into the Grand Canyon and looked about 1km down into the canyon and Colorado River below. We had a very smooth ride with great views of the canyon and a running commentary for the pilot. We fly past various rock formations with various names and one that looked like a helicopter with no rotor blades. The canyon is huge but still hard to grasp how big even from the air. Maverick helicopters are well set up with all seats getting a great view and a DVD of the flight available, which we got.
The 50 minutes of flight was over before we know it and we were back on at the airport in time to check out of the motel and begin the days drive.
After a drive through part of Route 66 we passing through more bare areas with straight roads with little more than rock and small shrubs to look at, we were hot and wishing we had air condensing in the car.
We stopped to marvel at the Hoover Dam along with numerous others ending their three day labour weekend, luckily more were heading in the opposite direction.
ON TO LAS VEGAS
Entering Las Vegas we could see The Strip from far away as it was the only area with high-rise buildings. After arriving at our hotel, Treasure Island, we unloaded and got a view of The Strip form our 24th floor. We began wandering the casinos and got tickets for the Blue Man Group (A comedy/drumming/entertainment show done by three men dressed in black with blue heads and blue hands, no not smurfs).
The show was very entertaining with no spoken words. It’s hard to explain you just have to see it to understand.
Following the show we retreated to the cool comfort of the hotel and got some sleep.
Wandering along the strip and in and out of the casinos each with its own theme was unlike any other city so far. It has a real party atmosphere and like New York does not go to sleep. The casinos varied in themes from New York with replica high-rise buildings, Paris with the Eiffel tower, and Luxor in the shape of the pyramid. MGM had lions inside; the Venetian had punting boat that travel through out the hotel, The Flamingo with pink flamingo and turtles the day was over the sun setting.
After dark Treasure Island, our hotel, had a pirate show with fire works, flames etc which ended our second night in Las Vegas.
Begging the next day we went in the opposite direction down the strip to Circus Circus. Set up a bit more for younger families with carnival side shows we ate breakfast and waited for the free circus show. With two acts, one a clown and the other a gymnast it was far from Cirque de Soleil standards we saw in Quebec City. To be fair there other acts through out the day we didn’t stick around to see.
We ventured away from the casinos and to the Gun Store. With a wide range of weapons Fraser seemed at home. Although for a price you could try anything from full automatic weapons to handguns we opted not too.
Arriving at the factory outlet stores in 38degrees celsius heat we spent plenty of time in the air conditioned stores rather than in the heat.
After dark we set off to see the free entertainment put on by the various casinos. This included the volcano at the Mirage and the fountains set to music at the Bellagio.
ON TO BISHOP
Leaving Las Vegas early to beat the heat there were still people sitting at the pokies that could have been there all night. Don’t you wish we all had that much money to spend?
Heading down into Death Valley we saw little but rock, a few Joshua Trees and small shrubs. Hitting sea level we still had further to descend. Heading into the Devils Golf Course there was no vegetation, just dried mud and salt crystals. Looking out at about the same level was Badwater basin, salt plains, the lowest point in the USA at 86m (282 feet) below sea level.
Stopping at the visitor centre at a mare 190 feet below sea level we were glad for the air conditioning. Making our way out of the valley there were sand dunes and more rocks and surprisingly a few small settlements. Why they chose to live the heat is beyond us.
From one valley to the next little changed although the fighter jet doing low level flying up the valleys and canyons distracted us slightly from the heat.
Passing through a few small settlements with a few thousand people we arrived in Bishop with 2600 odd residents. Taking cover form the 34degree heat (plus humidity) in the motel room we caught up on washing and rest partially Sarah who has developed a cough.
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