April 3rd

The wind blew pretty hard most of the morning and it was a bit cooler.  It made for a decent travel day and that was what we did.  We left the rv park after a quick breakfast and were on the road before 8AM.  Had some traffic issues in Phoenix before we got out of town, but nothing serious.  Took the highway #17 to the secondary that comes out before Wickenberg.  Stopped there for an egg mcmuffin and a bathroom break.  The highway was fairly busy, with it being the start of spring break, a Friday and lots of rv's moving north.
  Made it to Kingman in pretty good time.  Stopped in for a bathroom break and picked up a light snack at Dunkin Donuts.  Not sure how our guests made out with that, but Marg and I usually travel light and try to make miles when the travelling is good. 
  Got to the Hoover dam shortly after noon.  Took the time to drive down from the highway as it was the Smith's first time and wanted to see the dam.  It was pretty backed up for the security check every vehicle goes through.  When we got there the parkade was closed, so I dropped them all off on the dam so they could walk around and continued on to the Az side where I took a couple of pictures and hung out for a few minutes.  Then I went back to pick them up and the timing was just about perfect.  I'm pretty sure Char got a ton of photos there, as it is very scenic.
  Got on the road and into Las Vegas just after 2PM.  When we came over the crest to where we could see Vegas, it was a bit of an emotional moment for Char & Marg, it seems they were very happy to see it together, one for the first time.  Got in to the Mandalay Bay, well the Delano tower, and were met by Bill, Patti and the 4 kids.  A long time since they had seen the Smiths and quite a while since we had seen them, so it was hugs all around. 
  We had to wait a bit for our rooms and Bill only got one, so everyone put their luggage in the Bill & Patti's.  It was late afternoon, so we had an early supper at a burger bistro and they were pretty darn good.  It seemed funny sitting there having a bar drink with my grandson.  The kids are sure dating the old guy. 

  After we decided to go down to Freemont Street.  It has always been a happening place, but it is much wilder than I recalled from past trips.  The laser light show on the canopy was spectacular and they also had lots of live performers.  There also were many street performers and they were doing so many different kinds of things, it would be hard to describe them all.  Some were funny, some clever and others were very risqué.  The place as jambed with people just like us, out to enjoy themselves, just like us.
  At the end I had a migraine, so Phil had to drive back to the hotel.