Day 9: Back to Vegas

Sunrise - Grand Canyon

We'll be doing the generic trip back to Vegas. I'd like to see the sun rise over the grand canyon, I've heard the views are amazing. Since we're staying on the canyon rim, it won't be much of a hassle.

Oatman

As I mentioned earlier, I was trying to find alternatives to the vacation beside just visiting national parks. A reply to a question I had on tripadvisor.com recommended a stop at Oatman, Arizona, I believe it's the last town on route 66. Oatman is a converted ghost town turned tourist trap. They have wild west shootouts, gold mine tours, and their 'claim to fame': a ridiculous amount of burros that roam the streets annoying tourists for food. It's like Philadelphia, but with Burros instead of homeless people (and they both smell!)


Oakman, AZ

Oh no, look out!

Oatman is not far out of the way back to Las Vegas, and seems to cheesy to pass up. Gunfights are at 'high noon' and 2:15 MST. Throughout the planning of the trip, I've had to contact every place I'm visiting to make sure they are operating over Christmas break. When I emailed the Oatman chamber of commerce, 'shotgun Willie' responded with a not so southern "howdy". Luckily, they will be duking it out the day we'll be there (YES!). I'll have to remember to pack an obnoxiously large belt buckle for the visit.

The Hoover Dam
When I was in Egypt we stopped and saw the Aswan High Dam, which is 3 times larger than the Hoover Dam. I remember a completely underwhelming feeling, "yup, it's holding back water". I have no interest in seeing the Hoover Dam, but since I'll be driving either right over it (or right near it) I might as well just to say I've been there. I wonder if I'll have the same thoughts of the grand canyon, "yup, that's a hole."



Las Vegas
I'll return the car rental back to the airport the next day, so there is no hurry to get back to LV. I booked another night at the Las Vegas Hilton, there's no real reason to get a nicer hotel since I won't be there until later in the night, and the flight out is early in the morning.