So, I went on a road trip this last weekend. It was definitely a grand experience, especially since it was a father/daughter road trip. My mom ended up getting sick at the last minute, so I ended up being 'mom' for a few days and driving my dad to Vegas for his continuing education classes. We left about 5:30 on Wednesday evening after a long day of work and drove off into the sunset--literally. After getting out of the ridiculous bumper to bumper traffic on the Az freeways, we were all of a sudden one little lone car driving through the barren desert as the sun was setting directly in front of us. Under normal circumstances, I would have gauffed at how dry and brown everything was and how I can't believe we live in a place that is so 'ugly.' (which would have gotten me a quick reprimand from my desert-loving mother who always sticks up for our good 'ole Az, thx mom). But this time, however, I had a different outlook on it. After spending two weeks plodding around the endlessly green countryside of the UK, I began to see our desert in a new light. Sure, I have an obsession with green vegetation and will be the first to jump and gawk at how amazing it all is when I see it (as most of you know). But, I still do love the desert at heart. It is purely for a lack of seeing such thriving green surroundings that drives my love for the verdant green parks and mountainsides...and such novelties do bring me joy. However, there truly is nothing like a vast spanse of desert lands that are spotted by majestic saguaro cacti--especially when the sun is setting behind an outcropping of rocky mountains. It harkens back to the times of the 'wild west' when settlers were flocking to the open free spaces of this land. How they must have seen our deserts, as they were traveling on horseback through the very regions we were driving through that night. I always think back to the wild history of the west when I'm on the road--and that was enough to satisfy my eye. As much as I complain about how hot or how ugly some of our state is, I earnestly have a great appreciation for it and really can't imagine not having grown up here and being blessed to see the sights I've seen off the beaten track. Anyways, it was a great drive up to 'ole Vegas.
While my dad was locked away in endless meetings, I decided to explore the glories that are the "strip." And again, as much as I pass judgment on the evils that exist in Vegas, I decided to set aside my self-righteous judgments and wander the streets that I have always declared to detest so much. With our hotel being at the way freakin' end of the strip, I put on my wrong walking shoes (figures) and walked the 25min walk to the other end and back, not to mention in the 110 degree heat. When I returned to Mandalay Bay, I paid to see the acquarium which turned out to be one of the best things there.....I made the official decision that if reincarnation did exist, I would choose to come back as a Stingray. There's just something about that animal that gets me. I do enjoy looking at sea life, but I have never really had this great passion for or draw to the ocean. But, the stingray, wow. It's like it just glides through the water without a care in the world. Maybe it's the way that it moves-the grace and fluidity-that stikes me. Probably because I feel so often that I am the complete opposite in my own movements. (aka, Costa Rica crutches and the numerous other injuries I've incurred due to my lack of coordination). anyway, I just think they look like amazing creatures and God sure had quite the creative touch when He made those, along with the other great sea creatures.
After my outing and the miles that I seemed to have walked, I returned to the hotel to peel off my stupid gladiator-esque sandals that pretty much cut huge slits into my feet. I have two feet of blisters to show for my efforts that day. Note to self *when going walking for an unknown distance, make sure to wear comfortable shoes. The rest of the night was great--hob-nobbing with all the eye people at the vision trade show thingy. The one good thing about it was that dad paid for us to have the 'wine tasting' that one of the companies was hosting. Which meant, 4 different tables full of wine and cheese samplings. yum.
So yeah, that's pretty much the trip. For those of you wondering, I did go gamble for a few hours that night. In fact, my dad and I stayed out till past 3am that night (shocking) hittin' up the 5 cent poker machines. It was great fun, but unfortunately, neither of us won much. In fact, I lost 3 bucks off it. Oh well. I guess next time I need to go for the higher risk factor ones and try for the 25cent ones. Look at me--I'm such a risk taker ;)
After the quick turn--around business trip with dad, this is what I got from it: deserts are fun, walking during the middle of the day in them are not, comfortable shoes are a must, stingrays are freakin' the bomb, they should invent dessert-only buffets and I'd be one of their biggest customers, gamblings pretty much a waste of time especially if you're a non-risk taker like me, or pretty much just have no money to burn, I'm glad I'm not a doctor and don't have to sit through 4 straight hours of 'classes,' wait, I'm still in 'classes' crap!, and lastly....there's pretty much no place like home (although seeing other places is a very close second in my book).
OH, and more lastly (yeah i know my english is terrible) my dad's pretty much amazing :)
