Las Vegas

Las Vegas impressed me, but in a rather negative way, I'm afraid. I found it overwhelming, over-stimulating, and over-done. I don't remember how many casinos there were on the Strip -- perhaps 18? I confess my memory is clouded. But at any rate, I found it surreal, and was staggered by the monetary investment in fiction and fantasy for the sole purpose of entertaining the masses and stripping them of their disposable income. I expect that each casino on the strip represents a minimum investment of a billion dollars. Stas and I walked up and down both sides of the Strip, entering most of the casinos along the way. I was visually and aurally over-stimulated within an hour and wanted to go back to the hotel, but of course I didn't say anything directly, as he seemed to be enjoying himself. We saw the Bellagio fountains and the Cirque du Soleil Zumanity show, which is naughty, decadent, and great fun. Of the establishments, I liked the Venetian best, particularly the Guggenheim exhibit of Egyptian artifacts, which we stopped to see when we were passing through Las Vegas on our way from Zion to California. We never did remember to gamble.

The round-trip from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon - Bryce - Zion and back to Las Vegas was under 1000 miles. Stas and I discussed it and we both agree that that people should see those three parks in the opposite order, ie Zion - Bryce - Grand Canyon, so that the 'lesser' parks are not eclipsed by the sheer size and wonder of the Grand Canyon.