The next day in Vegas we sat around the pool and worked on our tans. Our luck with the weather continued and Vegas was unseasonably mild. The pool was fairly relaxing at around 80 degrees. At night we took a cab down the strip to the Venetian and settled in at a lounge with a cover band for a few drinks. It wasn't long before we became the prey of 2 cougars (old women for those not in the know). One of them approached us and asked if we could tell her friend we thought she was hot. Little awkward, so Justin deflected by saying he'd think about it. They attacked again a little later and asked us to dance. By this time the Jack and Cokes were kicking in so I said sure. I did my best Axl Rose dancing moves before sitting at their table and being introduced. Justin was trapped at that point so he grudgingly moved over also. We had a few more drinks, including free shots from the waitress, some more bad dance moves and then we moved on to the Wynn. Justin dropped some money in a penny slot and won 59 buck. Realizing our luck might be running out we decided to call it quits for the night, at 4:30. We said our goodbyes, listened to them tell us how hot we were and what a good dancer I am (both things I already knew) and cabbed back to our hotel. Pretty sure we made their trip and we had fun also, so no harm no foul. Once back at our place I contemplated playing craps for 40 minutes watching three blond girls play, but realized I knew nothing about the game. So I knocked over my coke on the floor and told Justin to run for it and headed for the room. Quick call to Melissa to say good morning (5:30 Vegas time = 8:30 Kentucky time) and it was time to pass out.
Getting up at 10:30 to leave Vegas was rough. Driving through the desert with nothing in it for 4 hours to the Grand Canyon did not help. We pulled in, setup up shop, grabbed dinner at one of the restaurants in the park, finally built a good fire and made s'mores, then fell asleep. The next morning we made friends with the 2 girls camping next to us. They were recent college grads doing the cross country road trip thing. We shared some stories and recommendations and they told us a good trail to hike in the canyon. So we set out on the hike into the Canyon and I quickly realized these girls were sadist. After going 3 miles and 2000 vertical feet down into the Canyon we saw the Colorado River. 1 hour to get in turned into 3 hours to get out. I have never felt so physically exhausted in all my life. I do not recommend this hike at all. The donkeys are a much better idea. Actually I'd just stay on the rim of the canyon and look down.
Once we got out of the canyon we did the 4 hour drive to Tucson where I sit now. It is hotter than hell here so I imagine my out door adventures will die and I will start hiding from the sun again. 2 weeks until we fly out for Japan.
