I am not surprised by the excess of Las Vegas; it’s what everyone told me to expect. But there’s something kind of fun about seeing the levels of excess. Each casino is excessive in its own way, maybe. And it’s wonderful to see the contrast between Las Vegas “culture” and the nature that’s just a few miles away. Yesterday we went to Red Rock Canyon, and it is spectacular!
We visited a ranch once owned (but apparently never visited) by Howard Hughes, and we were compelled to stop at virtually every pullout along the 13-mile scenic drive through the canyon. Since we had previously read about the growth of Las Vegas and the (relatively) recent history of the city, learning about the area’s geographic origins and the early settlers who lived among the Paiute Indians gave me a new perspective.
We couldn’t resist a return visit to our new favorite Thai restaurant. Instead of going back to the Strip, we stopped at an off-strip casino just down the street from our condo. It’s National Rodeo Finals week in Vegas, and the Orleans promises “the best Rodeo after-parties.” I can’t vouch for that, but I will admit that the lure of penny slots pulled a few dollars out of my pocket (I came out ahead by $2.47) and the video clips of the day’s rodeo winners were compelling for a few minutes at least.
The aspect of Cooked, the book I read last week, which I like best was the continual reference to the cook as transforming nature into culture. Here the transformation is less subtle. And, so far, the culture is less, well, cultured.
Today we’re off to the Hoover Dam, which promises yet more excess. And maybe a return visit to the Strip and the “high-end” casinos which probably won’t offer penny slots.