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Published: June 10th 2017
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This day started with 30 minutes on an elliptical at 5 am as I wanted to be left for Vegas by 6:30. It was dreary, cloudy in Eureka, so I was glad we were leaving. Rushed to get the family to breakfast and all our belonging packed. I was driving the first leg from Eureka to San Francisco about 5 hours.
The 101 was very scenic and deserted at 6:30 am on a Sunday. Saw the last view of an ocean breaking against the shoreline as we headed south. The road was green with trees and views of rivers. I was driving so I had to convince Tim to take pictures of the countryside. We drove past the Avenue of the Giants, but were unable to enter because of time constraints.
We came upon one last grove of Redwood trees and a Legend of Bigfoot store. Unfortunately the Legend of bigfoot was not opened yet. The last grove of the mammoth giants was called Charleston Grove. The light was darkened out by the tress and you had to be careful as some jutted out into the roadway. After another hour or so the scenery changed.
The green trees,
grass, and mountain sides were no longer. Now the roadsides were splattered with vineyards we had made it into the Napa and Mecino valley. This area was more brown and dry in appearance except for the multiple vineyards. The temperature outside the car began to rise. We had started the day at 56 and were now in the 70's.
As we drove through Napa valley a fawn jumped onto the interstate. I stopped to let him jump back off the road. Tim and I began to tease about how inconsiderate the deer was for not crossing where the sign was.
Driving closer to San Francisco the traffic began to pick up making me very nervous. I hate driving busy interstates, but had loved the very empty 101. I began to get so nervous driving I almost had a panic attack. We decided to not pay the toll of the 101 and cross the San Francisco Bay. We went around through Oakland.
The view of San Francisco was clouded by fog or smog as we crossed the bridge to Oakland. I yelled at Tim to take a picture of the Bay from the bridge as I was still
about on the verge of tears. After driving for 5 hours with 1 bathroom break we stopped at a gas station and changed drivers. Not soon enough for me.
The city in the background we began to drive in to a desolate dessert. This view would last the rest of the trip. It was sad to see the vibrancy of the mountains and ocean disappear into what seemed an abyss of sand. Along the route you would see orchards being watered through the aqueducts.
The drive was long and desolate. At one point I saw a dust devil spinning in the distance. It is pretty crazy to see if you have never seen one. I was looking for Dorothy or Toto, maybe the yellow brick road. The dessert housed 2 significant renewal energy sources windmills and solar panels. I am left to wonder if we used these open spaces for these power sources would we need other power sources. After almost 14 hours of driving and 50 degree plus jump in temperatures Las Vegas came into view. It was a mecca in the sea of brown.
The resort we stayed at was nice. It had a full
kitchen, washer, dryer, and plenty of space for the family. The kids were hungry as we only snacked this day, so we set out to eat. The restaurant choice was called Blueberry Hill. Everyone left stuffed. From here was the debate to go to the hotel and swim or see the now lit up strip. The strip won and it would be glamorous all lit up.
The strip was lit up with giant neon signs that reported, which casino/hotel was which. There were statues of New York, Paris, pyramids, different candy company's, and even a amusement park was visible. The kids remarked how cool except Hannah who reported "meh", which seemed to be her theme. I am unsure what may impress that child. Devin reported I'll be back for a visit when I have money. The drive down the strip was better than walking as it was night and the streets were jammed pack. I think if we would have got out then we may have lost Issac.
After the glitz and glamour of the strip it was back to the hotel. At the hotel I crashed and the kids swam. We were off to the Grand Canyon
in the morning.
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