Day 31 - Las Vegas, Nevada

Cruise control day today - 280 miles of freeway! But wonderful crystal-clear views of mountains and the Mojave Desert after the smoke pall over LA (see new pictures on Day 30). The road at its highest goes up to 4,700 feet before descending into the craziness of Las Vegas - and visible smog from about 30 miles out.

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Staying at the Stratosphere Hotel on a ridiculously cheap deal - here's the view from my room on the 21st floor.

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The hotel has some insane rides on the top of the Tower (I hasten to add I have not tried them!).

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It's my first visit to Vegas, and it was fun to drive up the Strip and look at the fantasy world that has been created out here in the desert. In the casino there is no daylight, and acres of slot machines, but not as many people here as I had expected - and the noise is horrible! Ringing and beeping and cheeping and elevator music (too loud) and announcements for staff to return to their posts "One minute remaining of your break, please return to the poker tables". Glad I'm only staying one night! Back to the wilderness tomorrow ...
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