Previously on Road Nomad
We flew to Las Vegas, and walked around the strip, visited the Neon Boneyard Museum and
took a stroll on Fremont Street, in Downtown.
Later we hit the road, passing by Hoover Dam and driving all the way to the south rim of
the Grand Canyon.
Let�s explore this natural wonder of the world.
We have arrived to our cabin here at the Bright Angel Lodge, close the door behind me because
it's freezing outside.
And we've got a partial view of the Grand Canyon.
That night we have dinner at the Arizona room right on the Bright Angel Lodge, which is
where we are staying.
It's southwestern inspired food with some great Arizona Wine, actually I didn't know
Arizona made wine, so it's a pleasant surprise.
After dinner I take some night photography.
Taking all these shots I break my travel tripod in the process actually taking this vertical
picture, it's a disaster, and boy it is cold, but it�s even colder in the morning.
We wake up to a beautiful sunrise.
We would like to stay but we can�t, we check out of our rim side cabin at the Bright Angel
Lodge, which by the way was originally established in 1896 at the head of the Bright Angel Trail,
and renovated in 1935 by architect Mary Colter.
We take a short drive to the visitor�s center for one of the most breathtaking views of
the canyon, which at this point is ten miles wide and one mile deep.
We are at Mather Point, named after Stephen Mather, first director of the national park
service.
We continue driving on the East Rim Drive.
We are now driving towards the Desert View Watch Tower, to get on a last breathtaking
view of the Grand Canyon.
And the it is back to Vegas on Route 66.
The Desert View Watch Tower was completed in 1932 and also designed by architect Mary
Colter.
And we have arrived.
The views from the top are truly breathtaking.
The Painted Desert to the east, then a big bend of the Colorado River, and the North
Rim over 10 miles away.
We take in the view one last time from the bottom.
We stop on the way back at the Navajo Point looking back at the tower.
We have made the big traveler�s mistake of planning ahead.
We always seem to do that, I don't know why?
We have tickets to a show tonight in Vegas, so we must be back at a certain time, so we
reluctantly start driving west, still stopping here and there but unable to linger much.
One last time we approach the south rim of the Grand Canyon.
After this last stop it is virtually non-stop.
We spice up the long drive by taking route 66, which set us back about half an hour but
makes for a more interesting drive at least we hope it will.
First impressions, I have never seen a more desolate road in my life, we drive for miles
without seeing another human being, well maybe one, this hitchhiker.
Not even the Dalton in Alaska felt this isolated.
There are a couple of roadside attractions we want to visit such as the Grand Canyon
caverns, but it feels so deserted to desolate, it is kind of creepy so we ultimately decide
not to go in.
Even at the motel, there is not a soul.
Actually, lets get out of here before a long bearded guy playing a banjo comes after us.
It is surreal, it�s like we�ve gone to another dimension, an alternate reality.
We�ll at least there are cows.
Yup, we are certainly getting our kicks on route 66.
We go through Peach Springs in Hualapai Country.
We encounter some rugged terrain along the way.
Another point of interest along Route 66, according to the guidebooks is the Hackberry
general store, here you go.
A few miles further west we also encounter the Ranchero, another attraction of the past
with this green statue, which disturbingly resembles Fidel Castro, I don't know why.
We also pass by the Outpost Saloon, and finally we reach the town of Kingman where we divert
from route 66 and take state route 93 straight to Las Vegas.
We once again pass by the Hoover Dam bypass bridge and into the state of Nevada.
We are almost there as we see the skyline of The Strip in the distance.
We arrive to Vegas admiring this beautiful sunset.
This time we are staying at one of the classic Las Vegas Hotels, the Riviera, which dates
back to the 1950s.
The hotel is a little run down as it has been in financial trouble for a while, but if you
are on a budget go for it, it's not pricey.
Once in Vegas we enjoy Sin City.
We go to the Cirque du Soleil show Love� not my cup of tea really.
Actually the highlight of the night were probably the Mojitos and the ambience at the Rhumbar
in the Mirage Hotel, and the nightclub of course.
Good times!
We can�t show you much of this because as you know, what happens in Vegas, kind of stays
in Vegas, or so they say.
On the next day we go to the Bally Hotel where we splurge at the Sterling Brunch at the Stake
house, a decadent experience in gluttony you should do at least once in your life.
It�s hundred bucks for unlimited lobster, filet mignon, lamb chops, fine champagne,
and so much more.
I mean, I whish I had two stomachs.
After this extravagant culinary experience we hit the road again, this time we visit
the Red Rock Canyon.
It ain�t no Grand Canyon, let�s be clear about that but it is just minutes away from
the city and a beautiful place with a bunch of trails, and this 12 mile scenic drive.
We explore the whole 12 miles stopping here and there for the obligatory photo ops.
We should really spend a whole day here, and explore some of the trails and the natural
beauty this place has to offer, but after passing by the visitor center, we decide it
is time to go back and enjoy the few hours we have left in Las Vegas.
After passing by the famous historic sign, we go to into the Mandalay Bay.
A beautiful hotel with an artificial beach that is unfortunately closed due to renovations
and the cold weather.
We do enjoy one last drink at the famous Mix Lounge, located on the 64th floor of the adjacent
building and watch the lights turn on as the sun goes down.
As you can see I�m not much of a gambler, our winnings for the night, seriously.
Instead, I�d rather bet that many of you and your friends are going to watch this video,
and all the other ones I�ve posted.
I hope you have enjoyed this short trip as much as we did.
Check out part one so you can see the beginning.
Coming up next, we will begin our road trip from Miami to New York and explore many points
of interest along the way.
Check out the blog for all of our other adventures at roadnomad.com and subscribe to the YouTube
channel, youtube.com/travelingrobert, and send your comments or suggestions about future
destinations to Robert@roadnomad.com.
I am Robert Morales, your host wishing you pleasant travels, and as always thank you
so much for watching and see you on the road.