Vegas and Grand Canyon, pt. 3

The next day we ended up having to skip Hoover Dam since we didn't get going until 11am. We were all knackered so having to get up early didn't sound too tempting. The temperature got up to almost 80 F (26 C) but luckily it was a bit cloudy or we would've got sunburned pretty badly.

Click to enlarge. There's the eagle in the middle.

In order to reach the Grand Canyon Skywalk we had to cross almost 10 miles of unpaved, really rough dirt road but luckily the tires held. We had to leave the car at the Grand Canyon West Airport and take a bus to the Skywalk.

We were quite surprised how we were allowed right to the edge of the canyon, as close as we'd dare to go. I wonder how many people a year fall down, either intentionally or unintentionally. I'm usually not a big fan of heights but I didn't get vertigo and got up way closer than I had imagined.When we finally got to the skywalk itself we looked back and just then realized how friggin high the drop was and just how close those crazy people were to the edge. Oh wait, those crazy people were us 15 minutes prior.

Peaking over the edge

Watch your step

The Skywalk itself wasn't that amazing but it was kind of fun to lean over the rail and look straight down to the depths.

The Skywalk

Yes it does say 7,500 feet

When we drove back it was dark already and no map was needed as you could see Vegas from a long way away since the sky above it was glowing. When the city came into view we finally realized how big it really was.

Las Vegas from space

In the evening we wanted to go see one of the famous Vegas shows. The tickets were quite expensive for most shows but luckily there were some discounts for Penn and Teller's show in Rio. They are a long time comedic illusionist duo that also have a show called Bullshit! on Showtime. I've also watched Penn on the current season of the Celebrity Apprentice on NBC. The show lasted about 90 minutes and featured some seriously WTF moments.

Rio

Penn (the tall guy) taking pics with fans after the show

On Tuesday it was time to head back home. The Vegas airport is within walking distance from the Strip. Quite a contrast to the Denver airport which is way way way off to the east of the city and surrounded by nothing but fields. During the flight back to Denver I was pretty much glued to the window since we flew over the Grand Canyon and the Rockies. And I did manage to see the Hoover Dam after all although only from the air.