From one extreme to another

Firstly I must apologize for the delay in writing on our blog. We did not get lost in Death Valley - nor did we suffer any major disaster there. We are currently in Las Vegas and the Internet is not free in the rooms and is very expensive so we only have access on one device - which happens to be Kim's. He is sleeping at the moment so I have borrowed his device to get a post out.

Vegas has been amazing - especially coming on the back of Death Valley. After leaving Bishop two days ago we headed into what I have to describe as the most bizarre and surreal landscape I have ever seen. We drove down into the valley floor through barren mountains, dropping to below sea level. The valley floor is a mix of sand dunes and salt flats. We stopped to walk on the Mesquite Sand Dunes, visit the Furnace Creek Visitor centre, walk out to the Badwater Salt Flats and drive through two scenic drives - Artists Palette and 20 Mule Canyon Drive. As it was over 44 degrees on the valley floor we didn't stay out of the car for very long - just enough to soak up the emptiness of the area and the bizarre landscape. I cannot post any photos today as they are all on my iPad - but will do so as soon as I can so you can see how strange it was. For those of you who are Star Wars fans - think Tuscan raiders and you have a bit if an idea.

Having managed to survive Death Valley we drove on to reach the California - Nevada state border where we stopped to do the obligatory photos and jumping from one state to the next before we headed on to Las Vegas.

Lights, lights, lights - and people everywhere. It is full of life (such a contrast to Death Valley). We have been here now for two nights and have managed to explore The Strip - taking the time to wander into as many Casinos as we can to check out which one we think is the nicest (for me The Bellagio wins hands down). The boys have loved Las Vegas - such a contrast to the 'scenery' of the last few days. The temperature here has been in the high 30s - so yesterday we were out and about until about 2 before heading back to the hotel for a dip in the pool before heading out again last night for more exploring and watching the free entertainment - love, love, love the Bellagio fountain.

Today we are off to Hoover Dam and then back later today for the Beatles tribute show at Planet Hollywood. We are all doing really well and have worked out how to travel together and share the space of one hotel room. The boys have just woken up - so need to go. We will be in touch again soon.