3 States in 4 Days

We're driving down Flamingo Rd about to turn onto Las Vegas Boulevard (The Strip). Flamingo Rd only has a few casinos and flashy lights. Millie turns to me and says "Yea Vegas is a little underwhelming I reckon?" We then turn onto The Strip and she looses control of her eyes and mouth trying to take everything in. She yells "OMG Caesars Palace! Wow! Theres Pikachu! Oh there is the bellagio! This continues for the length of the strip. Its probably fair to say that I was feeling a similar gob smacking rush of excitement but I hadn't just mentioned the words underwhelming and Vegas in the same sentence. We drove to the Excalibur hotel & parked up. Walking down the strip for the first time was an experience of complete awe, we walked through countless casino floors which were full of interesting people trying their luck or showing off their skills (depends which way you look at it). After lasagne & pepsi for dinner we retired to our perfect AirBnb for an air conditioned sleep in preparation for a trek at Red Rock Canyon the next day. 


Red Rock Canyons Calico Tanks Day hike was our pick. Red rock climbed up either side of the trail as we walked with protruding platforms to take sun drenched photos & small alcoves to hide from the suns drenching. The trail vanished and then reappeared time after time, having faith in every hikers ability to follow their nose. After 90 minutes of trail blazing, photo taking and covering moderate to hard terrain we reached the Calico Tank- a naturally formed bath of water bigger then a house. And just beyond the tank a view of Las Vegas city from a far proved to be another jaw dropping moment.


Night fell and it was time to show our skills in the casinos. After a heinekin and two rounds of stiff gins in a club and a tallboy each whilst walking the streets it was time to do this. I was eyeing the black Jack tables whilst Millie was more interested in the pokies. The cards were dealt, the levers were pulled and to cut to the chase Millie finished having won 65 American. I on the other hand only just broke even. Millie had out skilled me in the casinos and I needed something to cheer me up. Wahlburgers proved perfect to drown my sorrows and for Millie to celebrate. However, my triumph was still to come as I pulled a massive play. We were about to go into a camping phase of our trip. With this in mind I collected a grand stack of various sauces from Ketchup to mayo and mustard from the restaurant. Millie was in disbelief with the skills shown and continued to give kudos throughout the journey home. 


The next day was a day of tedious hung over admin jobs. However, the night had us looking forward to a show at the Bellagio. Cirque De Soliel 'O' a show of brilliant synchronized water tricks, intriguing ballet, comedy, daring acrobatics and dives again had our eyes flickering over the stage trying to keep up with what was to happen next. This experience was funded by some of our friends as gift for our engagement. Grace, Remai, Thai, Rebecca, Anneka, chelsea & Johanna we loved this show so much and wouldn't have been able to do it without your guys generosity. Thanks. 


The next morning after driving further west we crossed the Colorado river leaving the state of Nevada and entering Arizona. A classic sing along song came over the airways and we altered the lyrics singing "sweet home Arizona". Two kiwi anthems By Lorde then Shihad followed and our thoughts slipped back to little old NZ. The Arizona land scape could only compare to the desert road of NZ, but deep down you knew the rock and shrub reached out so far beyond the horizon it was hard to comprehend. We eventually reached a small town called Tusayan where we would camp for the night. Luckily Grace and Theo had paved the way and pointed out a perfect free campsite right on the edge of town. Before we could set up camp we had come all this way into Arizona for one main reason. It was for the Grand Canyon. We entered the National park and after selecting the south Kaibab Trail we were on on the shuttle heading towards the trail head. Our first glimpse was from the bus and it was unbelievable. We got off the bus and stood in wonder looking out over the canyon. Words really can't explain such a sight and photos barely come close. We Walked the 4 hour trail into the canyon past Ooh Aah point and down Cedar ridge, we loved every second of it.  



















We retreated to the campsite and after preparing Louise as our sleeping quarters, collecting wood and starting a fire, we sunk our teeth into some well deserved dinner. We froze all night and barely slept, but the day we had made everything so worth it. As we crossed back over the colorado we stopped to take in the views of the Hoover Dam from dizzying hieghts.


Next we head back to California to begin heading north along the iconic Highway 101. First Santa Monica then onto Santa Barbara. Thanks for reading and talk soon 👌👌👌

Ski (& Millie)

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