Viva Las Vegas! and classy, classy San Diego

We blew into Vegas like a gale force wind, threatening to take the whole town down.   Ok, maybe not exactly.   We rolled into town in a minivan with a 9 year old, threatening to be really cranky from the long drive from the Grand Canyon.  We didn’t really hit Vegas with any intent of doing anything but resting, the road from St. George to Vegas is a whole lotta nuthin’ but hot.  We had just camped at the North Rim, so we went as diametrically opposed to that experience as we could.

From getting served frozen lemonade slushies while in the pool, to the buffet at the Mirage with 13 different food stations, to the aquarium at the Mirage, the canal IN the Venetian, the changing sky and Trevi fountain in Caesars and the glass flowers, giant birds and snails made of real flowers and the dancing fountains at the Bellagio, we showed Lily how absurdly over the top we can do things here.  In Moab, we had rafted down the Colorado, some parts of which were too shallow to swim in.  That being the primary source of water for Vegas, and so many other cities, is just too mind blowing.  Thankfully, she didn’t ask/comment too much on the more adult portions of Vegas that are all around.  The ads for girls directly to your room, etc.  She was still more fascinated by the candy store with the 5 lb box of Mike and Ikes.  Oh, and the slot machines.  She was drawn in by all the video slots.  She asked how old she had to be to gamble in Vegas.  Yeah, I can see what’s coming. 

We left Vegas yesterday, after the breakfast buffet at the Luxor, just to show her the other end of the strip.  Know how I said there’s nothing between St. George and Vegas?  There’s less between Vegas and San Diego.  That was the most boring and annoying drive of this trip (the part with all of us, at least).  From Sioux Falls through Vegas, if I was coming up on someone in the left lane, they got over.  I returned the favor.  The moment we hit the California line, people just camped in their lane at whatever speed they felt like and be damned if they’d move.  All of a sudden I’m on the beltway, but with less interesting scenery and 220 miles of it to go through. 

The things you hear about the weather in San Diego are true so far.  Warm, clear, light breeze.  The hotel that Clare booked us into has been perfectly located.  5 minutes from the Old Town section where we had excellent sushi with my nephew Eric who lives here.  10 minutes from the San Diego Zoo where we spend most of today.  World class Zoo, even if you do have to pay. 

5 minutes away from Mission Beach. 

Today is our 14^th wedding anniversary. We’re going out to a nice dinner at the restaurant my nephew works at.  We’re coming to the end of the family portion of this vacation, with Santa Monica tomorrow and flying back Friday night.  All of us are actually a little sad about that, which means that Clare did a magnificent job of planning this thing.  It’s been better than I ever thought it would be.