Are blogs illegal in Las Vegas?

If "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas", is it illegal to blog here? Ah, what the heck. We'll do it anyway.

Had dinner at a Mexican restaurant at the Venetian. Check out the video below. It's not often you are sitting indoors and have a gondola go by with a serenading gondalier...

We are staying at the Trump Hotel. Nothing special. At least we got a good price from Priceline

We rode 170 more miles today bringing the final total to over 725. Not bad for six days, especially considering that we got "stuck" in Zion after the mid-day Wedneday rains.

Another great day. We took Old Highway 91 down to Littlefield, AZ. and then double-backed on the same 80 miles that we oringinally took from Vegas last Monday. That means we had another 20 mile stint on the same terrifying stretch of rte 15. This time I tucked in behind a big propane truck. It was my guardian angel leading the way and blocking the wind. Thank you wherever you are tonight.

The day started peacefully with a healthy breakfast and a quiet hike through Snow Canyon (see videos below). Ended the day with the flash and sounds of Vegas. I enjoyed both. Vegas didn't suit Eric's fancy. Rant, rant, rant! I don't think he will be moving here any day soon.

It's been a wonderful trip; lots of special places and tremendous fun with Eric. Can't wait to come back with the family. My appreciation to Margot and the girls for supporting this trip without them.

Thanks to our loyal readers and their supportive emails along the way...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZvsBk_3ZVo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0712bozC04

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSOQ8psCJtI

-George

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Eric's comment: Four hours ago George and I were spending our last few hours on the bikes streaking through empty roads in the desert. Now we are just back from a lousy meal at the "strip" in las vegas.

What a great trip! But I do have to offer some thoughts that really don't matter about Las Vegas, a place that I have spent very little time in. Yet that small fact won't temper my very strong opinions, so here goes.

Almost everyone here is on vacation. Many of the men wear black shirts and almost all of the women wear skimpy strapless and very severe stilletos. In the elevator of the Trump International where we are staying we just saw three generations of strapless/stiletto -- about 16, fortyish, and grandma was over 70.

So here is the deal. Very few of these people appear to be relaxed and having fun, despite constant "comping," "upgrades" and "VIP" treatment. Even the comp hummer stretch to the Pilagio doiesn't seem to matter. So why such little happiness? LV is a place where so many try to feel special and important. But no one truly stands out. The outfits are basically the same and almost everyone wanders the streets with a glass of champagne or a shot glass of bourbon. There is always someone else whose dress looks a little sexier or who gets better service at the roulette table. So despite all the money and effort, people are forced to recognize that they really aren't that special.

LV is in the desert. It needs three things to survive: massive amounts of electricity, gasoline and water. It also needs a corporate culture that encourages excesses of all types. Well that does not exist anymore and the natural resources won't last much longer. So the long term prospects for LV? Hate to end a great trip on a negative note buit this place is on borrowed time. But the canyons, mountains and deserts? They'll be here and hopefully there will be some motorcycles around to ride through and arounf them.







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