Hoover Dam

THE WIDER VIEW: Taking shape, the new bridge at the Hoover Dam

When i started traveling back in 2001 I called in on my family in California. My Nephew , Paul had much pleasure in opening my eyes wide with a trip out to LAS VAGAS. My experience of the Strip and staying in a 7 Star Hotel is a story in itself . However while we were out in Nevada we visited the HOOVER DAM the massive construction depicted poorly in the above photo.

The main road crosses the dam and Zigs and Zags up the other side to the right. Being in the passenger seat I could take photos as we crossed but to get the full grandeur of the site I needed to extricate myself from the vehicle and move to the best photo spots as a pedestrian . Paul dropped me off and drove on to where he could turn, return and endeavoured to locate me again.

Traffic across the dam is BOTTLE NECK, slow moving as each end every one wants to take in the sights as they traverse the dam wall. This news item that was forwarded this morning bought back the memories of the visit and demonstrates the problem solving approach in Nevada.

Creeping closer inch by inch – 900ft above the mighty Colorado River – the two sides of a $240million bridge at the Hoover Dam in America slowly take shape. The bridge will carry a new section of US Route 93 past the bottleneck of the old road which can be seen twisting and winding around and across the dam itself. When complete, it will provide a new link between the states of Nevada and Arizona . In an incredible feat of engineering, the road will be supported on the two massive concrete arches which jut out of the rock face. The arches are made up of 53 individual sections – each 24ft long – which have been cast on-site and are being lifted into place using an improvised high-wire crane strung between temporary steel pylons.

The arches will eventually measure more than 1,000ft across. At the moment, the structure looks like a traditional suspension bridge. But once the arches are complete, the suspending cables on each side will be removed. Extra vertical columns will then be installed on the arches to carry the road. The bridge has become known as the Hoover Dam bypass, although it is officially called the Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge, after a former governor of Nevada and an American Football player from Arizona who joined the US Army and was killed in Afghanistan. Work on the bridge started in 2005 and should finish next year. An estimated 17,000 cars and trucks will cross it every day.

The dam was started in 1931 and used enough concrete to build a road from New York to San Francisco . The stretch of water it created, Lake Mead , is 110 miles long and took six years to fill. The original road was opened at the same time as the famous dam in 1936.

I WONDER WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT

USA Florida

Dylan And Torrie

Southern Florida USA

30 minutes inland from our residence at Fort Meyers, Cape Coral "The Everglades" begin.

Bev and I zoomed across the top of a Gator infested lake. The skipper of the air boat skillfully maneuvered in an out of the mangroves causing the resident bird life to forget their next morsel and scatter to the safety of the higher branches.

The captain/ pilot, pointed out Wild hog, Deer, Eagles, Heron , Egrets, Turtles and Terrapins. In the black evil soup below the boat the Gators lurked.Yearlings,18 inches in length slowly moved out of the way of the air boat. The larger females were absent . They were on dry land guarding their nests. Male gators, some up to 12 ft long, cruised with just their heads above the water . As we approached they slunk below into the murky depths to reappear with a chilling confidence for their sly assessment of our meal potential .

Hunting season is upon the Gators . Hunters are allowed to take two gators per season.

I assume they eat the flesh and sell the skin. Spot lighting at night illluminates the alligators eyes. Bullets can not effectively penetrate below the surface.

The everglades were being dowsed with frequent tropical thunderstorms.

The sky was hung with rumbling broad curtains of charcoal and grey . Dazzeling veins of molten silver welded the canopy to the thrashing rain spattered foliage.Marvellous to breathe in the power of the wild skies aware that we were surrounded by miles of primitive carnivorous beasts protected only by our ability to climb in a car and get back to our human houses

The deluge is so intense that the wipers on the car had no hope of keeping up and visibility can drop to zero making it necessary to pull over and wait out the storm.

Tour operators had other zoo collections to entertain us while we waited.

A " Snake pit, out back' Water moccasins , rattlers , pythons , with an array of lizards and mandatory parrots.

My sister joined us for a look at the Florida keys. From the largest Island , Key Largo to the tip of Key West . The keys are linked by 42 bridges scattered along the 126 Mile Historic US 1 Highway. This included the spectacular 7 Mile long Bridge.Mile markers indicate how far you have come or need to go . Motels and Businesses have adopted the Mile Markers to advertise and locate their respective business.

The history of the keys goes back beyond 1513 when the Europeans first located the string of Islands protruding into the Atlantic ocean from Florida , separating the Gulf Of Mexico.

It was inhabited by native Indians and the land was owned by the Spanish until 1821 . During the 1800 sailing ships founded on the multitude of reefs and provided a regular income for "Wreckers" Salvaging Millions of dollars worth of Cargo from ships which had run aground.

The Sponging Industry came and went at the turn of the last century when a 'Red Tide Algae Bloom' wiped it out.

In 1905 a Railway Magnate extended his rail line out to Key West . The process took seven years. He was hoping to establish a deep water port to link up with the Shipping utilising the newly opened Panama Canal . Mosquito's , Heat and nature in the form of repeated Hurricanes in 1935 put the railway out of commission but pioneered the settlements that doggeredly thrive today .

The Overseas Highway was then constructed, by the government, on top of the Rail Bridges and Old rail tracks The highway was nick named the white Knuckle Highway as it was very narrow being restricted to the previously prepared rail throughfare and not suited to the large American cars.

Tourism took off after the depression in 1933 . A Large aquarium was established to pull the tourist to Key West. Fishing for the Tourist remains the biggest industry to date.

Sun sets across the keys are spectacular especially with the towering Cummulonimbus clouds and the misty haze rising from the bays. Traffic seemed light and there are very few road repairs going on. Evidence of past Hurricanes and future promises abound with Super size power transmission poles , Stripped of vegetation trees stumps, temporary office blocks ( Pre Fabs ) and the occasional pleasure boat left high and dry up in the mangoes .

We joined a 5 hr Boat trip from Big Pine Key which included a series of Snorkel Dives on the reefs as well as an over view of the nature and environment. Evidence of the Hurricane Wilma which passed through twelve months ago was present both above and below the water.

All the soft coral had been snapped off and ruined. Only the hardy 'Brain Coral' remained. A myriad of reef fish of all shapes and sizes where in abundance . Rainbow Parrot fish, French Angel fish, Green Wrasse, along with juvenile Snapper and the Occasional Small Groper entertained us as we snorkeled along the outer reef.

Key West is closer to Havana, Cuba ( 90 Miles ) than it is to Miami ( 150 Miles ) has been embroiled in past conflicts of the Spanish - American war to the Cuban Missile Crisis. Old Colonial Homesteads have been renovated to Hotels and B & Bs. Chickens strut amongst the homes and the residents have a Hispanic origins.

Traffic flows freely along the Overseas Highway. Police and radar speed traps are in abundance . Or detector was frequently alerting us to Mufti patrol cars and speed detector cameras.

We came back to Ft Meyers via the old link road the Tamaimi Trail. Air boat operators were out of action because of the evening thunder storms . Spectacular Lightning displays and Load rumbles of the thunder entertained us as we waited in vain for the Air boats to recommence operation.

My brother in Law ( Ginge ) arrives in Ft Meyers today . He has driven his Semi Trailer across the states from British Colombia . I plan to go with him on his deliveries around the Area . Talk about the Blind leading the Blind .

Tomorrow ( Friday ) we fly back to the UK,via New York, into Gatwick.

Thanks to the Florida family for your hospitality we alway have a relaxing time with Yah all.

Regards

I wonder what will happen next

Alvin & Bev

Fishin, Horsin and Swimmin

18.05.01

This area around Ft Meyers, Cape Coral is situated on a large river estuary. The water area that I can see from this house, which fronts directly onto the waterway would cover an area about the size of Lake Kaniere. As you cam imagine a lot pf Canals have been built and each house has a Jetty and on the Jetties are a large variety of private watercraft. The commercial operators are closer to the open sea. Prawn fishing boats fish in the shallow gulf waters and ferry companies operate daily carters down the Quays and outpost of Key West.

I planned to go down there scuba diving. It takes a four hour boat ride one way, leaving early in the morning and returning at 10.30 pm.

Bill and Paul where keen on an evening shark fishing trip and Adie was persuaded that this was not a boys thing and joined in also. The boat could take up to 40 fisherpersons. This trip had a 25 paying customers on board, so there was plenty of room. I made sure we had the back of the boat and had first dibbs on the big rods with larger hooks and bait for the big ones. The deck hand built up the anticipation by saying that large hammerheads had been recently caught and released. Going shark fishing does not take a lot of skill. The deck hand chopped up CHUM, a mixture of sardines and fish oil. Once at anchor about five miles off the Ft Meyer Beach, where unsuspecting tourists swim, and the brew is sprinkled into the tide. Most of the people on board have never fished for anything let alone a shark and the deck hand was busy untangling and baiting rods for the novices. I assisted Adie to get going with her rod and developed a birds nest with her reel. I quickly handed it to Adie and called the deck hand.

I was the first to land a fish, cat fish. As the foot long fish swung on board I reached out to grab it to get it under control. A spike along its dorsal fin pierced the palm of my left hand. The pain generated was similar to standing on a four inch rusty nail, a dull graunching throb.

It bleed like a stuck pig and wanting to be seen as a sook I kept on fishing and manipulating the wound to encourage the bleeding. When the thing had settled I asked the deck hand my prognosis. He thought I had about three hours to live which shocked me.

After about an hour fishing, multiple small fish had been landed but nothing big. After dark things changed. The two large rods at the back of the boat were set as far back from the boat as could be casted. The tension on the drum was negative and the ratchet was set on the on position. When a shark struck the bait the reels would scream out a warning and the deck hand would rush over and ensure the shark was hooked. It was then the turn of a member of the fishing party to have a go at fighting the shark as it endeavored to swim free. Several four foot lemon shark came onto the deck at regular intervals, photos were taken and the hapless sharks where thrown back over. It was only towards the end of the evening that two of the larger lemon shark where thumped to death with a baseball bat and gutted as food for those who wanted to take home a fillet or two.

Bill did get to fight a big shark which gave him a thrill. We all thought the fish may have been up to eight feet long. (No Exaggeration)

The trace used was only heavy nylon as opposed to a steel trace that I would have used and of course the big one got away.

It was lovely out in the bay after dark. You could see the coastline by the array of Condominiums right down to Naples. Adie cooked the fillets on the BBQ grill with some seasoning and lemon, very tasty morsels.

Niki works with a woman who has a interest in American Quarter Horses and had offered Niki the opportunity for her to take Uncle out to their ranch horse riding. A I mentioned I have been an avid fan of Roy Rogers and rather fancied myself abreast a well trained quarter horse experiencing the comfort of a big Mexican Saddle. Here was my chance. Adie looked after the kids and Niki and I set of for the range. Jennifer has a miniature horse stud along with a menagerie of other animals, ranging from Lama’s to Pigs. I was not interested in riding lamas or pigs but focused on the quarter horses that a couple of kids were riding. We arrived as a big horse float was entering the yard. I watched as a quarter horse mare was let out of the float. She had just been on a date with a champion stallion. Unfortunately I did not get to see him but the mare looked very happy and had a large smile on her face as she feverishly chomped grass.

I was given instructions on how to ride where to have my feet in the stirrups etc and climbed aboard. It felt real comfortable and I had assessed the horse as being used to different riders and safe as I had seen kids riding it. I noticed it was a bit foot sore and encouraged it to move off the park area in front of the stables where there was gravel. He was foot sore and slowly moved over to the sandy part of the paddock. I was wondering if he had another gear so pressed my heels into his guts only to find myself in a fast canter in a flash. He missed a gear. The kids around me were in a bit of a panic and two of them on another horse were soon by my side “You OK Mister” they said with popped eyes. I responded in the affirmative and soon found a harmony with this wonderful horse. The girl riding the other horse asked me about my riding skills and corrected me when I used the wrong term i.e. canter = loop, gallop = run. I found this horse up there was the best I had ever ridden, responsive, sure footed, attentive and rearing to go. I was aware the horse had been saddled up for several hours and the temp was bout 30 degrees even in the late evening. I reluctantly climbed off and gave the horse back. That was fun.

The beaches along the coast are often murky and have mangroves along their banks due to the river and estuary. About an hour drive north there is a popular swimming beach. Adie was keen to go there because not only is it good for swimming but you can screen sand and find fossilized sharks teeth.

Niki four year old Angie, Paul, Adie and I filled the cooler with drinks and set off.

There are not many people swimming there yet. They all thinks its too cold and are sunbathing in the hundreds on the beach. As we know the sea temp in NZ is about 13 or 14 degrees and is tolerable. Over here 20 degrees is too cold. There were several scuba divers off the shore trailing buoys behind them. I swam out about 50 meters to be above them and watching their progress. I had my mask and snorkel. One bloke came up to get his bearings and got a hell of a shock to see me there. “Where did you come from” he asked. “New Zealand” I think he was even more confused as he went back under. We collected about a half dozen fossilized sharks teeth. They are black and are deposited on the Venice Beach as part of the Gulf Stream current. I was careful not to get sun burnt when I was on land, but my hour or so in the water gave me a hot glow across my back and neck. I didn’t need any blankets that night.

I’ve been sussing “Thing Psychiatric” here this week and will be attending a recruitment fair being held by a Mental Health Provider this Saturday.

They are looking to set up level three community home and services similar to the TACT service. The Crisis Team here is advertising for staff and the money for experience MH state registered nurses in a clinical capacity is about US $20.00 and hour.

I’m off to the UK next weekend

I wonder what will happen next.

Bye for now

George Dubys

Disney/ NASA Florida

Disney and NASA
18^th May 2001

Paul, Adie and I drove up the state to Orlando. Disney world has a big complex there which covers as area of approximately 20 miles long by 10 miles wide. Within this area are five distinct theme parks, Magic Kingdom,Epcot, Disney MGM Studios and Disney Animal Kingdom. My choice was the later as I had seen a presentation on TV about the park.

Some of you would of heard of the “Tree of Life”. This tree with 325 animals depicted in its trunk stands 14 stories tall. Old Walt was a clever old bugger and designed the parks with themes within themes. Africa, Asia, Dinoland etc, each one takes up to an hour to see all the exhibits plus take in a show. The Kilimanjaro Safari entailed about 40 people riding on the back of an open truck and driving through the Savannah. Elephants, lions, giraffes, Hippos<>

By 4.30 we were Disneyed out and set off for the Atlantic Coast to find accommodation for the night. My headache was starting at 3 pm and I attributed it to lack of fluids in the heat. 2 Panadol helped for a while but my unwellness came back with vengeance. At about 6 pm I had nausea, diarrhea and vomiting for a couple of hours with a high temp. I haven’t been so crook in years. I blamed Adie for poisoning me but she reckoned we all ate the same tucker all day, I’m not sure what went wrong.

Slept for eight hours and felt good again next morning. A safe fart and burp on the beach cleared my thoughts and bowel before breakfast. The sea turtles are in egg laying season at present. One was washed up on the high tide mark, dead. She had recently died and when I flipped here over on to her wheels the cause of death was instantly revealed. The back half of her shell was ripped away most probably caused by coming into contact with a boat propeller.

The Kennedy Space Center is located about half way up the Atlantic Coast of Florida. The Federal Government has acquired the entire Cape over the last 40 years and have set it up as the launch site for its space program. No expense has been spared over the years. The roads are top class duel carriage ways. I’m starting to get used to this now, and most of the old launch pads have been retained as a living museum. Paul and I went on a “then and now tour” which took us to the sites and control rooms of the Mercury Flights which sent John Glenn into space. To stand in the control room and sit in the chair of the controller was something special. All analogue controls and dials. A commentary was given by an astronaut who knew his stuff, he gave mind boggling overview of the space center. You need to imagine this center is spread out over 25 miles long and 10 miles deep. It is surrounded by sea and connected to the mainland by a three mile causeway. As launch sites become redundant, new sites are developed to meet the advances being made in the size and shape of the rockets. Try to imagine along the coast between Hokitika and Greymouth, towers about thirty stories high, spaced about five miles apart, (without mountains behind them), it is very hard to gauge there size. On this tour you are able to walk underneath and see the burn marks on the grounds where the big birds departed. Rockets that will be departing for outer space require different launch sites that the Shuttle. They are trying to make these launch sites multi purpose to accommodate the vast array of rockets being launched. I think one of the new sites can accommodate ten different rocket types.

The Shuttle program is something else. Massive is too small a word to describe it. The main Vehicle Assembly Building is the biggest building on the Cape and can be seen for miles. It is in the top ten biggest buildings in the world. Until you are underneath the enormous structure it is very difficult to judge its size, nothing close to compare. On the side of the building they have painted a US flag. The dimensions of one of the stars on the painted flag is eight feet from apex to apex. The big roller doors to allow the Shuttle to enter upright, takes 45 minutes to open.

About a month before launch of the Shuttle it is connected to the Rockets that power her and the whole unit is transported out to the Launch Pad on a massive crawler trolley which travels at 1 mph. Each cleat of the carriage weights one tonne, and there are several hundred of those alone. You can tell by my rambling that I was impressed. I’ll cut this short and rabbit on a bit about the presentation on the moon landing with the Apollo Rockets.

Fantastic display.

The size of the Apollo Rocket would reach across Cass Square no trouble. The tiny capsule which sustained life from here to the moon and return is so small, about the size of our Conservatory in Kaniere.The y were crammed in there with all that instrumentation. The movie depicted how close the first moon landing was to being aborted.
Computer failure and too fast. The Yanks are very proud of their achievements and are not afraid to blow their own trumpets.

We spent six hours at Kennedy Space Center and were spaced out after that. There was a hell of a lot more to be seen but another time ah. It’s great what you talk about in the car while traveling. Paul was handing around breath fresheners and I declined because they reminded me of the taste liniment or deep heat.

I had told Paul about my misadventure on my honey moon a with a burn that incapacitated me. Paul’s story goes like this. Over here you can get Squirrel resistant bird seed that the squirrels will leave alone. The ingredient in the bird seed is Hot Chili Pepper seed. Apparently birds cant taste hot seeds while squirrels are very discerning and will reject seeds put out with any hint of hot peppers, like Jalapeno. Paul feeds the birds by grabbing a handful of seeds and placing it in the outside bird feeder.

Shortly after he needed to relieve himself and was startled that the hot peppers had transferred from his hands to hi pee pee. In his exasperation to relive the pain he jumped into the shower only to find the hot water and soap made the situation much worse. He was living with his granny at the time and could not ask for assistance. He said that he could only breathe in and that the pain was excruciating. I feel very sorry for him but accidents like this must run in the family.

Instead of returning the way we came, we traveled down the Atlantic Coast towards Miami. If you have a map you can see a big lake called Okeechobee, a man made lake which irrigates the central plains, sugar cane, corn and citrus orchards everywhere.

This trip amounted to about 600 mile. We need to rest for a day before going deep sea fishing and then horse riding.

I wonder what will happen next.

Alvin

California Trip 2001

California USA
Como Estas (how are you)

My Family Bev, Rachel and Tamra, along with Chris and Ngaire made sure that I did get on a plane at Christchurch. New Zealand At the airport we struck the repercussion of the receivership of Ansett NZ. The place was in turmoil and I have never seen the airport so full. Rachel and Tamra schemed up a final farewell for me by both giving me a cuddle which turned into a full blown wedgie in front of all the waiting passengers. I went up the escalator as fast as I could to get away from them.

Auckland International was also in chaos. The United Airlines place was full to over flowing and my pre arranged seat at the rear by the toilets was snapped up by someone else. I ended up with w window seat sitting next to an anti social who only wanted to read and sleep. This posed a wee problem for him as I was trying to keep up my fluids and exercise my legs. I held on not wanting to piss him off for an hour or so, but nature called and re reluctantly woke and shifted. Others who had travelled on had said that United Airlines is renown for its poor food, I found the tucker OK and the service efficient and friendly.

When I did finally feel like sleep it was very hard to achieve. The blow up pillow worked well, but I chilled off and tossed and turned. Its not just the 12 hours in the air that needs consideration, its all the pre and post flight stuff that is taxing.

I was pleased that I had sussed out LAX prior to landing.
As I flew in it all appeared as if on the Web pages that I had looked up prior to leaving. Customs was a disappointment as I was through in a tick, they were only looking for Poms with Foot and Mouth virus on their feet. My link flight which took me to San Diego was departing from another terminal and I surprised myself at being able to give directions to some other lost sole as to where to go next.

My nephew, Paul was true to his word and I was grateful to hear his voice calling “Uncle Alvin” at San Diego Airport. Paul has modified his Toyota ling Cab Ute to what I term an off road beach buggy. Big wheels, all stripped out and strengthened with modified everything, Christ it’s a sight.
Some of you will remember a Big Buggy the Scenicland Motors had on display about Xmas time, well his vehicle is very similar. Paul is part of a club that charges about in the desert on weekends and I’m sure I’ll have an opportunity to drive it when we go to Las Vegas. My first mistake was to head for the drivers door, wrong side. We took off out the car park. I was reaching for the brake and clutch and looking to my right to give way, all wrong.

What an experience charging down the big freeway four and five abreast. The all seemed to get out of the way of this monster of a truck. North and South and East is definitely West according to my internal compass. I remember I was bamboozled at the Equator when Bev and I went to Singapore a couple of years ago, and I’m sure I’ll have trouble getting orientated here.

Given that I had travelled 24 hours non stop, it was time for some rest. I settled down on my bed after a shower, and slept for 8 hours. Awoke about 2 hours then slept again for another 8 hours.
Doris, my sister Adie’s, husbands mother, is a wonderful host and made me feel at home and comfortable right from the start. Doris had been out to NZ about 27 years ago when Adie had her first baby, Paul. That was the first and only time I had met her, but had talked to her on several occasions on the computer and the phone.

Paul has work this week until Thursday when he commences leave for three weeks.
He and I will be off to Las Vegas Thursday for two nights, then I fly to Florida on Sunday.
Doris has shown me the sights around Oceanside, taken me shopping for clothing and generally kept me well entertained and occupied. I found the clothing here in the stores we went to is of a much higher quality that at home. Doris was encouraging me to get some brighter clothing than I am used to. White trousers, pink shirts stuff. You wont know me or wont want to know me. Anyway I don’t stand out in a crowd and it’s a new challenge for a country hick like me. I’m in the process of meeting the neighbours and friends here and will spend sometime at the Coast checking out what needs checking out

I wonder what will happen next

Adios for now
Aldo
04 21 01


Las Vegas Update

30.04.01

My last update found me preparing to depart for Las Vegas. My nephew Paul is the manager of a dispatch warehouse, providing goods wholesale to the building industry. There seemed to be about twenty people on the staff at his work. The company covers the area north of San Diego, nearly up to Los Angles and inland to the mountains.
When Paul was a driver, coming up through the ranks, he would call in here to Doris’s and pick my father Len up to do the deliveries. Len loved that and what a great way to see the area. I’m starting to find my way around here now.

Several jobs needed attending to around 2430 Skylark drive prior to departure, one including the lawn mowing. This is one job that I am skilled at, Tamra and I had mowed thousands of bloody lawns over the last five years. All the neighbours from across the street were watching as I tried to start the mower. I flooded the thing first off. After several dozen tugs it burst into life. I set the mower for height and commenced.

Back home on a hot day you often come across a barkers nest ( Dog Shit ) which when hit with a lawn mower explodes into dust and charges up your nose. Over her it is different, I spotted what I thought was dog shit, the consistency looked OK to make the passage past the blades and on into the catcher without too much hassle, I was wrong. Squirrel shit which is dehydrated is very deceptive, it is much more pungent and explosive. Next time I’ll whip around with a shovel first.

Las Vegas is about 5 hours drive from here. Once we were on the freeway we rolled along at 70 to 75 MPH, up to 4 abreast. Generally trucks, semis and slow drivers with loads are well over on the right of the left lane of traffic. The carriage ways are separated from the opposing traffic by a barrier and often about 30 meters. Sometimes I didn’t even see them, on reflection it is probably because I was looking for them on to the right, wrong, they should be away to the left.

It is a big climb and a hard pull for the beach buggy most of the way through the mountains. To give you an idea of the terrain, it is more like the Mackenzie country. Central Otago New Zealand
The City of Los Angeles has become too crowded and the San Bernardino Valley, which is inland a bit, has become the industrial heart of California. Factories everywhere, mega development going on here in all directions.

We drove past the Roy Rogers Museum which would have been interesting as he was an old favourite cowboy of mine growing up as a kid in Reefton. Doris reminded me that Roy had Trigger stuffed
( Taxidermy )when Trigger died, he may have been in the Museum, I’ll never know, nice old Palomino.

As I mentioned in previous email the approach to Las Vegas is something to behold. At the boarder between California and Nevada there are two Casinos hoping to get some gambling trade. They have added attractions like Roller Coasters and Big Billboards that offer specials and low priced meals etc with the idea of pulling the punters and the real addicts in off the Freeway. The lights and signage of these enterprises are a stark contrast to the blackness of the desert night sky. I was impressed with that.

Las Vegas is a further 1.5 hours drive from the boarder and you can see a string of red tail lights ahead and a stream of headlights approaching. Without exaggeration, which I’m prone to do from time to time, you can see this procession for about 20 miles, especially when you crest a hill and look down into the MESA,(cowboy term for paddock).

One of the Casinos, the Luxor which is in the shape of a pyramid, has a massive spotlight that points directly out of the apex of the pyramid skyward. This can be seen against the red glow emitted by the city proper. They tell me that the space station up there can see the strobe. Paul turned off the freeway early to give me the best view of the Las Vegas strip.
Each Casino, which takes up a whole block of about 30 acres, sometimes 60 acres, has its own theme, Egypt, Rome, Aladdin, Treasure Island, Italian etc. The outside of the casino’s are spectacular, lights and hoarding eliminating the night sky.

The Italian Casino known as Balargios has a 5 acre lake in front. Each half hour there is a fountain display set to music. The show lasts only one piece of music, say about 4 minutes, but very moving. I thought they were clever buggers to think of that.

Paul wanted to give his “Uncle Alvin” a special treat and shouted me and him two night in the 5 star Aladdin Casino and resort (I sent around the web page for those who can look it up).
This building is about one year old and right up to the top of the scale when it comes to service and presentation.

Our beach buggy covered in desert dust and butterfly shit pulled into reception amongst the highly polished stretch limos and other assorted top flight conveyances, rollers, caddies VIP vans etc.
Paul was super confident and signed over the Valet. This is a service where men in green suits and yellow pants politely take your car away into secure storage. Paul wanted to have a beer so no more driving and thought that normal parking in the Casino may allow for some rat to rip off the tyres or super doper shockies on the Buggy.

Our rooms had two double beds, a bath big enough for two, and free internet with the computer in the room, hence my short updates. I wont go into describing the gambling rooms, enough to say mega options here. All the bells and whistles.

One room I went into had pokies with a minimum roll being $500.00, that’s over $1200.00 NZ a pull.
Paul was at a table playing roulette when a bloke sat down next to him and had a thousand dollar bet, lost it in one spin of the wheel, he, the bloke, got up and walked on getting more out of his pocket to plunder. I seen some happy people who had just let out a yell of delight and I seen the sad people. Their choice.

Breakfast and lunch at the Mandalay Bay Resort was tops. This was followed by my previously described ride from hell on the Roller Coaster outside New York Casino. When I typed up the story about my ride, sweat rolled out of my armpits and my adrenaline glands gave another wee pump.

The Hoover Dam and Lake Mead is about 60 miles out of Las Vegas. At midday the temp was up in the 90 f. we sucked on water all the way out and found that there were several thousand Englishmen out there in the Midday sun with us. What a construction. My little camera had trouble getting it into the viewfinder. I haven’t developed the films yet and anticipate that the size and grandeur of the site is hard to capture.

Well is back to California today then off to Chicago tomorrow
Do drop me a note and let me know if you don’t want to receive my ramblings

I wonder what will happen next.

The Lone Rangers Buddy
signing off