Mad Dash

After Vegas, we made a pretty quick dash to our next major stop, the Grand Canyon.  Along the way we saw Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam.  The Hoover Dam was actually pretty cool and naturally I enjoyed being able to stand in two states at once while there.  It's the simple things.  Other than Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam, the day after Vegas basically consisted of driving until we got to Flagstaff, AZ where we rested up for the Grand Canyon the next day.

Vegas (Or, the one in which I lost more money than I should have...)

It's a well known fact amongst my friends and family that I have a gambling problem.  Okay, I don't have a real gambling problem which isn't something to joke about, but I do have a small gambling problem.  I'm totally fine if I'm anywhere other than a casino.  But in a casino a switch seems to flip in my brain.  I know that if I just keep playing I'll win eventually.  Clearly my ultra competitive nature plays into this as well.  And clearly I am always wrong and I always lose.  I should just learn to quit while I'm ahead.  Vegas taught me that the hard way. 

When we arrived in Vegas, it was miserably hot.  Brianne was loving the heat and I was dying.  We stayed at the MGM Grand which was nice.  I'd like to stay in all the Vegas hotels eventually, but I know that would be bad for my bank account since they all have casinos in them.  After settling in we planned out our day.  Naturally we spent a good amount of time in the casino.  This is the point where I lost too much money.  And then when I ran out of cash, I paid an exorbitant ATM fee and took out more cash which I promptly lost as well.  Repeat.  Several times.  Then I finally stopped myself, but I think that was more because I was annoyed that Brianne was actually winning money while I lost all mine.  That evening we saw a Cirque du Soleil show called "Ka" and it was pretty cool, but I know I definitely fell asleep during parts of it because I was just so worn out from all the traveling.  The next day included an amazing breakfast buffet, more loss of money and then exploring the strip.  We saw many of the main hotels, went to the aquarium at Mandalay Bay which I found to be less than impressive and then we went to casinos in different hotels.  Later that evening we watched the fountain show at the Bellagio which I really enjoyed and then we saw the volcano show at the Mirage and the Sirens of Treasure Island show at Treasure Island.  

After all that excitement, Brianne and I went our separate ways and she went to see another Cirque du Soleil show while I went to the Celine Dion concert.  I love Celine Dion.  Always have.  I figured since she's permanently in Vegas now, I better see her while I was there since I might not have another chance anytime soon.  I'm so glad I went!!  It was one of the best concerts I have EVER been to.  I was most likely the youngest person there.  I also secretly recorded "My Heart Will Go On"...the video isn't great since I was trying to hide the fact that I was recording, but the music and vocals are top notch.  It was the perfect way to spend my last night in Vegas.       

Trail of 100 Giants

After driving down the coast through Big Sur, we turned eastward and drove on to Bakersfield which is not a very interesting place.  We were just there for the night though and the next morning we headed into Sequoia National Park.  There was some cool scenery along the way, but the Giant Sequoia's were definitely the highlight of the day.  Our first stop was the Trail of 100 Giants.  The entire area is full of sequoia's some of which are up to 1500 years old!!  The largest tree has a diameter of 20 feet!  It was pretty impressive.  And the smell was incredible.  I can't even describe it.  But it was awesome.  I don't remember much else so I'll just leave you with some pictures again!