The more and more I get to explore this phenomenal world, the more I want to immerse myself into its utter beauty. The earth around us has an infinite amount of uniqueness.
I went from the most southern parts of the United States where I drank sweet tea everyday, to one of the most diverse areas in the world where I ate Mexican food everyday. Southern California.
It was the end of my foreign exchange program in Alabama and Christine and I flew to LAX in Los Angeles. Our nine day trip on the West coast began.
Waking up the next morning in San Dimas we were headed on the road to Las Vegas, Nevada.
I have always been in awe about the immense territories of American desert that span across large areas of the West coast. The trip from Southern California to Las Vegas is four hours long through beautiful terrain of picturesque mountains and hills. Beyond the valleys of hills is the dry, scenic desert that sweeps across for miles until it reaches Sin City.
Our first stop on the trip was Red Rock Canyon. An extensive territory of gorgeous hills, mountains and rock formations. We completed the 13-mile (21km) scenic drive where you get an up-and-close personal glimpse of the unique surroundings throughout the canyon.
The sandstone rock formations upon the mountains and hills would begin with a touch of rusty, dark red colours and instantly turn into giant yellow, sandy walls. Being within the depths of the canyon itself created a desire within me. My time being plunged into the canyons made me want to explore more deeper into such remarkable formations.
Our next top was the well-known city strip scattered with casinos, entertainment and money money money. Las Vegas. Our accommodation for the night was the Flamingo. Centered right on the strip, across from Caesars Palace and the Bellagio. We had a 180 degree view of the strip itself. Pretty amazing spot, I must admit. Thanks Christine, once again!
Las Vegas, the city in the middle of the desert, is full of so much bright lights and there is so much to do, with or without money. Before Las Vegas, me and a lot of other people from around the world, questioned something… What is there to do for a 16 year old in the most prominent city in the world known for gambling? Well, after my experience, there is actually a lot of things for someone underage in Las Vegas. From my one night in Sin City, just walking up and down the strip among the crowds was enough of an experience for me. There is non-stop entertainment, exquisite restaurants with fine dining, incredible shopping and did I mention any one of any age can walk around the casinos? Yes read that again… For those Aussies reading, to us that sounds utterly bizarre! But, in Las Vegas, any one of any age has the right to wander in and out of casinos. Only those over the age of 21 have the right to touch all those adult toys and games (yes, those so called ‘money machines’ and the poker tables). Walking through the crowded casinos with the sounds of dice hitting green carpeted tables, machines rolling and rolling out money and the occasional 'Woo!’ from someone winning more than $50.
I have come to the conclusion, with all honesty, that Vegas is back on my list of places to re-visit… Just after my 21st birthday that is!
I’ve had a fascination for a few years now of the Hoover Dam! Yes, the one that Chevy Chase from The Griswalds, that gets up to no good at. Being situated on the outskirts of Vegas, we were able to make a quick stop to cross one more thing off my bucket list!
After Hoover Dam, our next destination was The Grand Canyon. It is so GRAND that it is in need of it’s own blog post… Stay tuned for that one.
I’ve left you all hanging in the middle of our road trip on highway 40. The beauty of the road trip has only just began…
