Because today's drive was a relatively short one (240 miles) we weren't in a rush to break camp this
morning. We drove west on I-40 to Kingman, where we stopped at a Flying J travel center to refuel
and grab a bucket of chicken. It was delicious. While trying to leave the Flying J, which was packed
with many tractor-trailers doing the same as us, we witnessed a truck driver carelessly scrape
the back of his trailer across the front right of another parked rig, taking out a pair of headlights.
The victimized driver immediately came out of his cab, pissed off! Can't say I blame him.
Our route toward Vegas on US-93 will take us over Hoover Dam. However, it's closed to commercial
vehicles. Private passenger vehicles and RVs are permitted, but RVs must stop to be inspected at a
waypoint 9 miles before the dam. We arrive at the checkpoint, and a Department of Homeland Security
officer politely greeted us in the 110-degree
heat and performed a quick inspection of our exterior storage compartments and inside too.
We passed inspection, but in chatting with him, I was shocked to learn
We proceed across Hoover Dam without incident. Lake Mead's water level was shockingly low, a testament to the
severe drought in the west the past few years. When we arrive at our campground in Vegas -- behind the
Circus Circus casino on the Strip -- it's 114 degrees. Hooking up the RV to our connections and
unhooking my mom's car from the tow dolly is miserable in the heat.
In the 15 minutes it takes to do these things,
I down a quart of Gatorade. We crank the car, let the air run for a while, and then we pile in for a
whirlwind tour of the strip. Tour guide: yours truly. Later we go downtown to Main Street Station
for their awesome buffet. (I highly recommend this as one of the best affordable buffets in town. Trust me,
I know my buffets in Vegas.)
My mom agrees to babysit the boys tonight so that Andra and I can have a night out on the town.
We head back downtown for good video poker and lower-limit table games. Andra hits a remarkable rush
of good luck and wins big playing Let It Ride, and even more at video poker. I'm not quite as lucky,
but together we return to the RV up by $400.
Photos:
Hoover Dam
Note: this page was created retrospectively on 7/28/2006
Come on Washington, give these guys some air!
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Last updated: 1:47 AM 7/29/2006