WARNING:  This is the 666th blog posting.  It’s about Las Vegas!  Coincidence?  Or are there more sinister things afoot??

[We left our neighborhood (actually, this is Washington, Utah, but Hurricane, Washington, and St. George pretty much blend together) on this day to give Jeanne and Ken some quiet time to catch up on their cross stitching.  We were going alone to Las Vegas, a place to which Jeanne and Ken would go multiple time with family.]

[They did advise that the road to Las Vegas (120 miles from St. George) would be among the most scenic on our trip so far as I-15 follows the Virgin River gorge through the Beaver Dam Mountains.]

[And they were right!  With even better photos on the trip back.]

[Then we came out of the canyon and soon were able to see Vegas in the distance and the Sheep Mountains.]

[Now before I go any further, I have to report that . . . ]

Las Vegas, 43 years ago . . .

My first visit was in 1972, I had just been discharged (for good behavior but nary a medal) from the Army and stopped here on the way home.  I was here again sometime in the 80’s, and the place still looked not unlike the following photos.  The original Caesar’s Palace marked the end of The Strip.

[Grandma and Grandpa Obert met me there.  They were on their annual vacation, March 1972.]

[Back in the here and now, we weren’t really sure what we wanted to do here.  I just wanted to drive around to see what all the hoopla was about – how much it had changed!  The Super was not beyond going in some place to eat and maybe wagering a bob or two (I’m not a gambler – way too cheap).  After driving up and down The Strip and environs for about an hour, we ultimately determined there is absolutely no public parking anywhere in this city (be aware of that if you go).]

[So while she drove around, I took pictures.  No need for explanation.  If you’ve ever seen a movie or watched any TV, you already know all these places!  🙂  ]

[Americana on steroids!!]

[Just as we were about to give up and head for home, we made a wrong turn or something and ended up . . . ]

[In a mall parking garage?  Plenty of parking spaces.  Why not?  So we did, and it was perfect.  The Super wanted to dine at the Venetian outside on the canal.  The Venetian was kitty-corner from where we parked.  Luck smiled upon us.  Let’s go for a walk . . . ]

[The Super is now so happy!!]

[This was a structure at the mall.  We would dine here momentarily . . . ]

[The Super is still so happy!!]

[Even the people who served us here didn’t know what this was?]

[Walking to the Venetian.  Like the Twin Cities, there are skyways here.  But they are open air . . . but necessary for old people cross multi-laned city streets without becoming hood ornaments.]

[We entered here into a grand foyer.  There was a huge room ahead, and to the left and right.  Each room was packed with poker tables and each table was packed with poker players.  A hint of tobacco smoke filled the air.  My kind of place – NOT!]

[We went back outside to the canal, which really is a marvel.  And all the while, here and throughout the trip, I kept asking myself – where are they getting the water?]

[She wasn’t excited about the outdoor dining at the facility . . . ]

[So we decided to head back to the mall . . . ]

[And that’s where we delightfully discovered a Maggiano’s, the No. 1 Italian chain restaurant, out on the mall deck under the “flying saucer,” and with a view of the Venetian.  A little pizza, a little beer, and we were good to go!   🙂   ]

[A final goodbye to New York, New York, another hour driving through the city, paralleling the freeway but finding no entrances (they don’t want you leave!!), and we were on the scenic drive home.]

[As I recall, the Howells greeted us with a home-cooked meal upon our return.  🙂  ]

She was so glad to see me go, that I almost have a mind to come again, that she may again have the same pleasure.  ~  Samuel Johnson

Up next:  Day Eight