Pictures From USA 2012

Back to Las Vegas

And so we complete our circle of over 3,200 miles to return to Vegas. This time we had booked a suite at the 'RIO' hotel (for obvious reasons!)
Our room was <i>excellent</i> with <i>loads</i> of space, a fridge, a big television that rotated, a coffee machine, desk, settee.... and big windows that let in lots of light. Super.

During our last 2 days in Vegas we worked out the bus system, to avoid long walks in the sun, to/from the hotel. We went to the Venetian Hotel, Paris, the Bellagio, The Monte Carlo and Caesars Palace. All soooo over the top but brilliant nonetheless. Saw the Mall Thuderstorm again in Planet Hollywood and also the fountains playing to music  in the lake outside the Bellagio. We even had a beer in 'The Pub' at the Monte Carlo with a selection of hundreds to choose from!
Final bit of shopping to use up some dollars and a walk along the Strip at night.  :-)

Kingman to Las Vegas

Our final leg back to Vegas was via a small town called Chloride. This is an old mining town that has been preserved to look old but is still an inhabited very small town.

We also stopped at Boulder, the town that was built to be inhabited by the workers on the constrction of the Hoover Dam.
Nice little town, very tidy with cafes, shops, sculptures & stuff.

Historic Route 66

A long straight road with Williams at one end, Kingman at the other, and Seligman in the middle! 65mph most of the time, single carriageway but very little traffic so able to speed a bit.....
Seligman has lots of old cars, touristy shops, cafes, etc. Fun :-)

Lowell Observatory and Meteor Crater

Went to the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff where Percival Lowell did pioneering research into space and telescopes. It was here that Pluto was discovered with the telescope pictured. We took 2 tours of the site which was informative and interesting.

We then drove about 40 miles to a massive crater formed when a meteor hit the earth yonks ago. It is 2 miles in circumference and very deep! There was a Visitor Centre and museum attached which we browsed in afterwards. It ialso known as the Berringer Crater after a scientist who conducted research there.

We then drove back through Flagstaff to join Historic Route 66 50 miles away at Williams.

Food 'n' Drink......

Grand Canyon

Stunning, awesome, etc. Etc!
We used the shuttle bus and walked the rim trail for some distance. Lovely :-)

Stayed till sunset for even better views! Then drove to Flagstaff for overnight stay.