We didn't take a single picture in Las Vegas. After we got back from the lake and had a quick nap, we scurried to the Bellagio to see the fountain show. Vero hurt her feet in her new sandals, so we went looking for a pair of flip-flops, and we flopped in our efforts. We saw many of the other casinos, including the pirate show at Treasure Island (stupid!) and the exploding volcano in front of one of the other places on the strip. The gondolas inside the Venetian were cool, especially the fake sky that looked almost like daylight. We couldn't find a place that we wanted to eat, so we ended up having pasta at our hotel, Circus Circus, just before the last restaurant closed. This was my first time in Vegas, and I wouldn't be disappointed if it was also my last. The next morning we headed out. We thought we'd stop for a quick swim farther up Lake Mead, but the water looked too warm and shallow when we got there. To get to the lake we had to drive through this desert, where a big red hill sticks up from the surrounding dust.

Photos Copyright Martin Benjamin and Veronica Savu