Las Vegas!

Greetings from sunny Las Vegas! Pacific time zone. Three hours earlier than Eastern time.

It was mid afternoon Tuesday when we arrived in Las Vegas. Only one false turn going through 'the spaghetti bowl' (a confluence of highway connections)!

Checked into our temporary home at Extended Stay America. Comfortable with a few slight modifications. Like two new fans to circulate the conditioned air.

We live on the third floor. Went out and bought a rolling cart to bring our stuff, like 

groceries and laundry up and down stairs. There is an elevator but I won't use it all the time.

The kitties seem happy to not be in the car today! Me too!

Dan is at work. He got his main computer hooked up to the internet last night. He was able to sleep much easier anticipating an easy commute to work and his system was all set to go. He will be working 6 to 2:00 to try to match up with East Coast time. He likes working in his shorts!

This is our humble little abode for the next few weeks. (House hunting begins tomorrow.)

Kitchenette: Housekeeping will be delivering dishes, pots and pans later today.

Living room: 

Separate bedroom:

Bathroom and walk-in closet:

There is a pool and an exercise room, maybe we will try them out when Dan gets done work.

This is the view of the mountains that I could  see from the grocery store parking lot this morning.

After shopping I spent a little while doing laundry. I haven't used quarters to do laundry for a long time! Cost me 8 bucks to wash and dry 2 loads.

Later today Dan and I will take a little trip to drive by the homes I will look at tomorrow. Then pizza is on the menu for dinner. We will check out one of the 3000 restaurants in Vegas!  

Last night was Chinese food at Koji Restaruant in the Orleans Casino with my sister and brother-in-law and 2 new friends. Very good, spicy food.

Now that we are here our journey contines. I will blog about what we are up to, a few times a week. 

Best to all. 

Nancy and Dan

As Dan always says, 'It's all about the journey!'

Utah

When they say in Utah, "No services for 100 miles," they mean it!  We drove through all 100 miles of long ascents, long descents, huge curves and steep canyon walls. There were a couple of pull offs where we stopped once and took the picture of Black Dragon Canyon but the rest area I needed was closed! 35 miles can seem like forever!

Here are a few images from our morning ride: 

Ghost Rock.

Yup. Still heading in the right direction.

We have had several brief but powerful rain showers in the last half hour. Maybe we won't have to wash the dead bugs off the car after all! 

Moving right along now. We'll be in Las Vegas this afternoon. Gaining another hour. The cats are napping. Taigo has decided he likes McDonald's cheese burgers for his lunch. Too funny.

This part of the journey is almost done. Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings. Not a long car ride that's for sure!

Love

Nancy and Dan

Colorado

Rain this morning. Western Colorado. 

570 miles to Las Vegas! 

'I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.'!

 

I 76 the road to nowhere!

A couple of agricultural photos.

U

Heading into the Rocky Mountains. I had been along side them before but never through them! Spectacular!

The local homes west of Denver!

Beautiful Rocky Mountains. This is I 70.

Watch for falling rock!

11,002 feet is way up there!

Eisenhower Tunnel

Going through. 

Going down! Not a fan of steep hills (mountains)!

Vail. Finally!

The view of Vail from Erin's deck. 

Tired kitties. They were happy for some room to roam, a stroll out on the deck and nap time without motion!

Look at that! We even found a covered bridge!

In Vail Village.

A panorama of one of the buildings in the in Vail.

We had dinner at the Sonnenalp Swiss Chalet. That is the restaurant where Erin is a server. Her friends treated us so well. Everything was delicious. We had cheese fondue, summer salad and elk carpaccio for appetizers. 

And a nice Riesling wine. 

Followed by Raclette Matterhorn cooked at the table. Also yummy!

This is Erin picking out wine to pair with the main course. She just passed a test to become a level 1 sommelier. The wine list is so extensive they keep it on an IPad! Winepad!

The dinner wine was a red that went well with filet mignon and the chocolate fondue.

My favorite part of the meal ... Desert!

This is everyone after 2 bottles of wine at 8000 feet and a special time with Erin.

Did I mention it was about 60 degrees there after a cold front went through. I was freezing except when we were cooking at the table.

After dinner we left Erin in Vail 😔 and headed another hour and a half down the road. We dropped another 2000 feet and stayed in Rifle, Colorado. To get there we traveled through a narrow canyon for many miles. I think I am happy I couldn't see it!

A few more shots of Colorado.

Colorado River

More tunnels.

We are in Utah now and it's my turn to drive. Catch you all later.

It's all about the journey!

Nancy and Dan