Day 12 (June 17) - From Tahoe Back to Vegas

Yesterday was such a long day that I didn't have time for an update. We were in the car most of the day, but managed a couple neat stops along the way. Those of you who have driven it know that there is no straight shot from Tahoe to Vegas. We drove Rte. 50 from South Lake Tahoe and hooked up with scenic Rte. 89 and decided to go a few miles off the path to take a look around the ghost town of Bodie, CA. The last few miles of Rte. 270 turn to washboard dirt and stone as you enter the town. At the time I was thinking that this would be a good place to get shot and have no one find you for several days, but when we finally arrived we found several other people had made the trip up, as well.

Bodie was a very cool ghost town. We took lots of pictures and read about all the things that happened back when the town was booming with 10,000 people. We spent about an hour there (could have spent at least two) and then headed out the dirt road exit down to Rte. 167 and 394, where we finally picked up Interstate 95 to head south for Las Vegas.

Most of the way is 70 MPH, but every little bit, we would come across a broken down old town out in the middle of nowhere with a speed limit of 25. I suppose the three people who live in some of these towns need you to slow down enough to at least read their hand-painted signs. Jen drove a couple hours of the trip yesterday and that was helpful. I got to close my eyes for a little while. In Beatty, I took over again and drove the last hour and a half into Vegas. We stayed at the Luxor and will plan on making the few hour drive to the Grand Canyon today. I wanted to see Zion, as well, but there won't be enough time this trip.