For the most parts generally people I have come across either love or loath Marmite the savoury spread you can add to buttered toast. I do like marmite but only in small amounts & not particularly often which sums up how I feel about Las Vegas.
First visit was with my daughter & I had been overwhelmed by all the noise & bustle. However I was somehow fate was compelling me to return. Although we had fun & the place sort of leaves a mark on you I was generally in no hurry to return.
Another Van
It soon transpired that the only place in the whole of the USA we could pick up a C19 for the dates we wanted was Las Vegas. I confess my feelings were very mixed at this prospect.
My road trip buddy had never been there nor seemed was very keen to either. However I felt it was somewhere that everyone should try to visit at least once.
Which is how we came to find ourselves booked in to a Hotel with a Casino & 72 lane bowling alley. An overnight stop is a requirement of the hire firm before picking up the van.
So we made our way on a gloriously hot day to spend some time by the hotel pool. I was still suffering from a ‘post festival virus’ so sadly didn’t venture in despite it looking very tempting.
Bowled over
We decided to give 10 pin bowling a go & had great fun slinging brightly coloured balls down the slippery tracks to knock over the little white pins. After winning a game each we retreated to sleep in preparation for collecting ‘Martha’ the next day.
Trouble with the mobile phone meant we couldn’t call & consequently flummoxed the staff by turning up earlier than they expected. In their rush to get the van ready they nearly managed to leave a few vital items out. Our previous experience meant that in the pre leave checks we were able to alert them to this!
De Ja Vu at Sam’s
Once aboard we set the sat nav for the short drive to Sams Town KoA where I had booked us in. Having stayed before I knew it was close to a supermarket for stocking up & they had a shuttle bus service to take us to The Strip. I am brave but I didn’t fancy driving the van in the crazy city traffic.
Part of the joy of our trips is going to do very American things that we have only seen or heard about in films or tv. So when the opportunity to ‘go to a ball game ‘ presented itself we hopped in an Uber to watch the Las Vegas Aviators at home to Tacoma Rainiers.
Baseball
I admit to knowing nothing about the game of baseball. It seemed to involve whacking a ball & running to various posts akin to the game of rounders I had played as a kid.
In the UK the only sport I had watched in a stadium was rugby that involves sitting in the cold for hours while two teams run about getting muddy. Therefore I was not convinced I was in for a good time.
However it turned out to be a brilliant evening the warm and balmy combined with the atmosphere was very welcoming. The ticket meant we could wander & sit pretty much where we felt like & you could get refreshments easily.
The baseball stadium was well lit, clean & the staff really helpful. Despite our non existent knowledge of the game I loved the relaxed family atmosphere. I have made a mental note to try & brush up on the rules incase I am lucky enough to get to go again.
Use link below to discover more about the baseball stadium
Not Sold
Venturing to the heart of Vegas I discovered it was pretty much the same busy place I remembered from before. After a pretty full day roaming around we were both relieved to leave.
Despite the process exposing her all manner of bewildering things designed to tempt you into parting with your cash. She resolved never to return if she could help it.
The next day we fired up Martha & headed for the first of the National Parks we intended to try & visit.