Day 137 - Las Vegas, Nevada to Palm Springs, California (via Red Rock Canyon)

Time to move on from Vegas for the second and final time of the trip today. We have been really lucky with the weather as he had turned really cold today and is completely overcast. 

We have breakfast at Mr Lucky's one last time, check out and hit the road. Hilarious incident as I am checking out and leave Nat with our stuff. She only goes and gets herself ID'd! The American litigation and enforcement culture is getting ridiculous. You can't even jump in the pool here now without getting an official warning. And Nat's crime? Standing in a gambling area. Because obviously she always goes gambling with two suitcases, a big holdall, a rucksack and three carrier bags of clothes. I do love the place but parts do drive me mad. 

So this is where she wasn't allowed to stand... 

But hey presto. One step to the left and she has crossed the border from casino to bar again so all is well in the world. Stand the litigation lawyers down. 

Before we leave Vegas we stop at the Preimier Fashion outlet down town which is like a version of Bicester and end up spending a bit too much again. I literally have a whole new wardrobe now and have done my customary but everything I need for the year in 1-2 shopping trips. 

Nat also found a couple of bargains in Burberry getting a gorgeous skirt and a yellow dress (yes that is right - Nat is going to wear a colour other than black or grey!!). 

We spend longer shopping than planned so were late getting on the road to Palm Springs. The plan is to go via Red Rock canyon which is just outside of Vegas and has a lovely 13 miles scenic drive so it would be rude not to. For those what remember the movie 127 hours where James Franco's character had to cut off his arm after getting stuck in a rock, well this is Red Rock Canyon. Who knows. Maybe we will see a skeletal arm?

The weather isn't quite what the film would lead you to believe though as it starts to rain. It's weird as you leave Vegas as it goes from being built up with Walmarts and Starbucks galore literally to desolate desert.  Within about 20 mins the temperature has plummeted to near freezing as we turn off onto the scenic route. 

The fog really rolling in now.

Our first glimpse of that famous red rock formations. 

You won't be able to see it in this picture but after my second stop in the car to get out and take pictures I am battling a snow storm. It's now bloody snowing in Vegas!!! I am absolutely freezing as naturally I still have shorts and flip flops on. So far today we have seen sun, rain, snow, winds and experienced changes in temperature that are as extreme as I have ever experienced. 

Watch out for those crazy tortoises! 

The drive is gorgeous and one I can't believe I have never done before as it is so close to Vegas. Some spectacular scenary that I would imagine would be even more spectacular in the sunshine as the blue sky would make for a better contrast with the red rocks. Still impressive though. 

Love this pic. The road just winds through the canyon and mountains like this the whole way. 

Once leaving the canyon we start on the 4.5 hour, 300 mile drive to Palm Springs. Literally as we cross the boarder to California it is like someone has ripped back the sheet of the thick black cloud and it is a perfect blue sky the whole way from then on in which makes for some awesome views and the sun sets. As we cross the border we leave the huge casino and fair ground rides that epitomise Nevada in the rear view mirror as we head to sunny Cal I For Ni A. 

Quick stop for "gas" and a starbies for sustenance at the half way point. Beware the black pump here is not diesel. It's unleaded!

We arrive in Palm Springs at about 9:30pm and check into the wonderful, new Hard Rock Hotel that only opened last November. It's really cool as you would expect from HRH and a lot more relaxed than the Vegas one. We can't see much of it as it is dark but from what we can see Palm Springs looks absolutely brilliant. Such a beautiful place with Palm tree lined steets and lots of gorgeous restaurants, bars and shops. 

Yiannis would love this - a huge arrangement of speakers from over the years. 

Also very cool MJ picture with his hair made out of vinyl records. 

Really nice bar in the hotel which is apparently THE place to be at weekends. Think we will extend our stay another night to be here on Friday too. 

More fun and games with mirror trickery before bed. It tickled us!

Our pimp room. No Super 8 here!

I have also finally decided to bin these boxers shorts which must have been my Dad's (not sure how I have got them) as they are the biggest, baggiest things eve and offer zero support!