On iOverlander we found a casino that was friendly for RV’s and big rigs. Nice! We parked in the dedicated lot toward the back of the casino. After getting settled in and waiting for darkness to fall we took my van and drove the strip to see the lights and walk around. I was blown away by all the money the strip represents. And the famous casinos: Bellagio, Venetian, MGM Grand, Luxor, Excalibur, Caesars Palace, New York, Mandalay.

It’s an adult Disneyland! Even with a roller coaster. And so many slot machines!! (Remember, I’ve never been here before so my head was spinning.) Such opulence. I’ve been to Luxor, Egypt and Mandalay, Myanmar. I felt like I had been transported in time. Would have been fun to be here in the heyday of the Rat Pack. Sorry we didn’t get to see any shows cause of covid. And because of covid, very few people. I understand it is a real hit for tourism here but, lordy, seems like casinos must be rolling in dough from all the previous years of people losing their dough to the casinos. I would have never had gone to the strip if it hadn’t been for Jody who knew her way around. Glad she prodded me.

Around 11:00 we went back to our parking spot. When we arrived, we noticed that the entrance was almost blocked off and there was a sign that said it was going to be closed next day till the middle of December for an event. (An “event” during covid???) On arrival at Jody’s truck & trailer, we saw a notice on her windshield. We had to leave by midnight or be towed away!! Already tow trucks were there circling like vultures. They were hauling off 18 wheelers. I watched as one tow truck driver strapped up one. Quite the work. So even before the bewitching hour of midnight, rigs were being hauled off. We were lucky and others were going to be in for a big surprise. Even as we got ready to roll there was a tow truck in front of us and behind us ready to swoop in if we didn’t move. So now….where do we go at midnight???

To the opposite side of Vegas where there was another casino that seemed to allow campers. It actually was adjacent to a Park & Ride, that was totally empty. So we parked ourselves there for an uneventful night. Lucky..

Next day, I drove back down to Henderson to see my cousin that I hadn’t seen in 5 decades!!! He had been a nuclear physicist at NASA and planned the trajectory for Apollo 11’s moon landing. Impressive. He has all the brains in the family. Fun catching up on 50 years of life!

Now time to get back out to the parks… Tomorrow Death Valley!