NEVADA - MESQUITE, LAS VEGAS - Thursday 6 September 2012

Thursday 6 September
Really didn't want to leave Zion, such a perfect camping spot as well. Anyway left mid-morning and stopped at Walmart in St. Georges for a shop and to get my hair done (tidy up for the wedding). Hot, hot, hot, temperatures back in the 100's. Crossed the state line briefly into Arizona and then again into Nevada. Drove through the awesome Virgin River Canyon and the scenery was simply staggering. Came out of the Canyon into Desert Springs and a desert plain for as far as the eye could see - an incredible drive. A really hot desert wind was blowing as we pulled into the Casablanca Casino in Mesquite.

Casablanca Casino, Mesquite, Nevada

Casablanca Casino, Mesquite, Nevada

Casablanca Casino, Mesquite, Nevada

They did have free RV parking but far too hot not to be plugged in, still cheap though at 20 dollars a night. They also had an amazing pool area so spent a couple of pleasant hours there. Went for drinks and food in the evening but only managed the drinks - they had a very nice, stylish bar with very nice, stylish drinks so we had a few. Very nice stylish prices too.

Friday 7 September
The hottest night we've had yet I think and sleep was almost impossible - the temperature couldn't have gone much below 90 degrees. Had a swim for a couple of hours before leaving about midday to drive the 50 miles into Las Vegas. Petrol has really risen in price over the last few weeks and we have been paying upward of 3.80 dollars a gallon, 4.00 dollars plus in Utah - a big hike up from what we were paying when we first came over 11 weeks ago. Pulled into Main Street Station RV Park in old downtown Las Vegas. Managed to find it without any trouble as we had been there 18 months before. Boiling hot so went to the pool in The California Casino, a sister casino to Main Street, but it was a bit rubbish particularly compared to yesterday's little gem. Still it was cold, wet and refreshing so that's what counted. Had a wander for some food later, home by 9.00 p.m. Too hot to sleep.

Saturday 8 September
Decided to leave Main Street which is noisy although it is convenient for downtown and Old Vegas but as we have seen it all before not too bothered about seeing it all again - never quite understand how people can keep coming back to this city however much fun it is. Left mid-morning to go to Sam's Town, a large casino complex in south Las Vegas. Pulled into the RV Park and went straight for a swim as its simply boiling.

Sam's Town Casino complex, Las Vegas, Nevada

Very impressed with the hotel and casino, its beautiful inside with tropical gardens and waterfalls, also cheap at 30 dollars for a room for a Sunday night so booked one for Tom and Mia for tomorrow - simply too hot to all sleep in the van. Went out late afternoon for a few cold beers and ended up drinking far too much wine and eating no food. Still, it was a nice evening, came back and sat out in the hot night air until bed.

Sunday 9 September
Another boiling night and the temperature was reaching 103 degrees when I went for a walk to the chemist at 10.00 a.m. Went swimming but far too hot to sit in the sun so sat out reading in the shade, did some blog, Dave did a clean-up in anticipation of Tom and Mia's arrival and basically had a lazy day. Both a bit nervous I think, just hope we all have a lovely holiday together and the weather stays good. Got a taxi to the airport about 5.30 p.m. - the airport was not very conducive to meeting people as there is no designated area so missed Mia - thankfully she found us. Wonderful to see her. We then went to Terminal 3 where we hoped to get a beer before Tom arrived at 9.30 p.m. but not a bar in Arrivals so went back to Terminal 1 for a couple and a catch-up before meeting Tom. All good and happy. Back to Sam's Town for more beers in their pretty garden bar before bed about 1.00 a.m. Can't quite believe they are both here and will be wonderful to spend some time together on our little road. Off to Arizona tomorrow.