Day 26 - Mystic Hot Springs

Hi people!

I decided to stay on my bus for another day (because it's just so darn cool) which means I still don't have proper wifi and can't upload pictures, sorry!

Today is Halloween so I bought a bag of candy in case any kids came trick or treating (I didn't want to be the grumpy old candy-less lady who lives in a bus) This afternoon I saw some kids wandering around the trailer park I'm staying in and I kinda had to shout out "hey, you kids want candy?" (yeah, that's not creepy at all!) Anyway they came over and we made friends and I helped them with their hair and makeup and then went trick or treating with them and their mom. 

There is a whole science to trick or treating- you are looking for houses that are decorated (pumpkins etc) and have their front porch light on. The thing is sometimes people will have one without the other and you have to decide whether to go.    

One of the girls was dressed as a zombie but hilariously when someone tried to guess what she was they said "uh... a teenager?" Needless to say, the undead was also unimpressed but I thought it was hysterical.

I'm off to soak in an outdoor tub filled with water from the hit springs under the stars in the desert. 

UPDATE - Photos

My bus! I even have a balcony!

One of my neighbour buses

Trick or treating in a trailer park!

Hello? Any candy on this bus?

Some people take their decorating really seriously!

This kid (and his bleeding mask) scared the bejeesus out of me

Day 25 - Hurricane to Mystic Hot Springs

Hi people!

No proper blog tonight because there's no wifi on my bus. Yup, my bus. 

I'm staying in a clapped out school bus in the middle of Utah. 

It's amazing!! You can check it out here:

www.mystichotsprings.com/

I'll come back to this post tomorrow to add photos 

Man I love my life right now. 

UPDATE

Zion National Park

I have been really lucky with the weather. Today I went to Zion National Park and really enjoyed myself. First I went to the Weeping Rock - when you look at it from a distance there appears to be no reason for it to weep but when you get up close sure enough it's like rain.

I keep seeing paths with overhanging rocks or trees

Can you see a face in this rock?

I think I can!

Looking straight up

Bits and pieces

Mo from Colorado explained to me about the mysterious black cards. I keep seeing people with huge fancy cameras with these rectangular black card cut outs. They use them to frame photos before taking them so they don't have to do all the work with the heavy camera.

My car has so many bugs stuck on it and squished into the front grill that every time I stop I get a bunch of wasps swooping in for a snack. Eew.

From reading  my blog you may think everywhere in the States is beautiful, but a lot of it actually looks like this (I still love it though!)

Day 24 - Las Vegas to Hurricane

Las Vegas

Last night after writing my post I went out for a little wander down the Strip. For those of you not familiar with Las Vegas the way it works is that there is one street (Las Vegas Blvd aka The Strip) along which all the major casino/hotels are. The hotels are all places you'll have heard of - The Bellagio, The Venetian, etc. The whole town revolves around these casinos - each one puts on shows or has a famous restaurant or whatever, so everything is followed by "at" For example "David Copperfield at MGM"

The Bellagio

Indoors at the Venetian

The main part of the strip where all the most famous casinos are is about 2 miles long and is wonderful. It's designed in such a way that it's almost impossible to avoid ending up in a casino. It has electric stairs that help you cross the street and before you know it you've been diverted into a bank of slot machines.

These are outdoors - what if it rains?

It's packed with people (even on a Sunday night in October) who are either touristing, jumping in and out of casinos, people handing out cards advertising "girls, girls, girls!" and just plain weirdos. I'm not sure if it's because it's almost Halloween but I saw some straaaaange things. I also saw this guy:

His name is Jeremy and he's from Arizona. He came to Vegas 8 months ago with his brother and they take it in turns to stand on one of the pedestrian bridges being kicked in the nuts for money. "No cup guaranteed!" he boasts. When I asked him why he was doing it he said it was to get famous "I've been on TV and everything!" (the way that he stressed the T made it somehow easier to believe that that really was his end goal)

Hoover Dam

A few years ago my brother and his wife came home raving about the Hoover Dam. I think they'd seen it from a helicopter and they were amazed at the incredible things humans can do when they set their mind to it. I've wanted to go there ever since and today I did!

I can confirm that it really is breathtaking. Since they visited a new bridge has been opened opposite it (the Hoover Dam Bypass) which is equally stunning. It took 9 years to build and was designed to relieve the traffic on the Dam. It has a pedestrian walkway which caters to all my needs - it's a good walk (I like walking) it has a stunning view (I think we've established I'm a fan of those) and it's REALLY high!!!! It made me feel dizzy just looking down. You see people clutching their cameras and hats as if they suspect them of having suicidal thoughts and that they might jump at any time.

Can you see the shadow of the bridge?

A photo I found online so you can see how impressive it really is!

This bridge is officially called the Mike O'Callaghan - Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge. Mike O was a governor of Nevada and Pat Tillman was a professional footballer from San Jose CA who gave up his multimillion dollar sporting career to join the Army only to be killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan at the age of 27.

Lake Mead

The reservoir being held in by the Hoover Dam is called Lake Mead and the land that surrounds it is a National Park (I am so glad I forked out the $80 for an annual pass for all NPs!) It is largely formed of reddish rock and is really spectacular. I've lost count of the number of times I've said to myself "I really am in the desert"

Lake Mead

The police

You know when you're driving along and some jackass going at a million miles an hour overtakes you and you mutter under your breath about how you hope he gets caught by the police? I saw that happen today!  There was the speeding jackass, the police doing a screeching U turn, the flashy lights, etc. It was great! Mind you, it would have been better if I wasn't the jackass but I got away without a ticket, just with a warning that if I'd been doing that kind of speed on a freeway I'd have been arrested.

Hurricane

I'm in a tiny town called Hurricane in Utah, from where I'll be going to Zion NP and Bryce Canyon. Coincidentally, the East coast of the US is being hit by a hurricane/winter storm and it looks really bad - people are being evacuated and buildings are falling down. Pretty scary stuff.

In other news

Even Maccy D's tarts up for Vegas

Refreshingly honest

I can think of a few people that would sign up for this

Fancy soap!!

Seen by Lake Mead

I left California!