Back to where we started

We had a decision to make today.  Do we drive straight back to Las Vegas or do we make a slight detour and go through Joshua Tree National Park?  We really did not have to be back in Las Vegas at any specific  time so we decided let us take the detour.

We left the hotel just after 10:00am and it was only a thirty-five minute drive to the park entrance.  Joshua Tree National Park is where two distinct desert ecosystems come together, the Mojave and the Colorado.  The park is very diverse from a desert oasis to unique rock formations.  The scenery was different than the other two National Parks we visited earlier in the trip.

Joshua Tree National Park
diverse scenery
Cholla Cactus Garden
Cholla Cactus Garden
Cholla Cactus Garden
desert iguana
rocks

We picked up lunch in 29 Palms and started our drive to Las Vegas.  During the almost three hour drive, we encountered sand storms, some interesting roadside attractions and we hardly ever saw another vehicle until we got onto the I-15 North.

it’s hot today
Foreign body
Budda
sand storm

We arrived at the Hampton Inn Las Vegas Strip South ($164.53 USD) around 4:30pm.  We were getting updates from Cathy regarding their arrival.  They got caught in some traffic and they arrived around 6:45pm.  Karen went out and picked up dinner from Cracker Barrel which we enjoyed at the hotel.  After a quick dip in the pool, it was time to head to the Las Vegas Strip.

We started at Caesars Palace and walked through The Forum Shops.  It has been a very long time since I have been there.  The boys thought the Roman statues were cool.

Hail Ceasar
Forum of the Gods
let’s do some shopping
Romans

We then walked over to The Venetian.  Having now been to Venice, I can say that The Venetian does a great job of representing the city.  From the gondolas to St. Mark’s square, the boys thought this place was cool too.

Las Vegas Strip
Gondola

We finished up our exploration at the Bellagio.  Dave did a little bit of gambling there while the rest of us checked out the Jungle of Dreams display at The Conservatory.

watching the Bellagio fountains
Jungle Dreams display at The Conservatory
Jungle Dreams display at The Conservatory

By this point, it was well after midnight and time for us to head back to the hotel to finish up our packing.  Unfortunately the California Road Trip comes to an end tomorrow.

Las Vegas Strip

 

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