National Parks & Canyon Country Vacation

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Ken & Dawn Ellis

Day 11, Thursday July 8th

We set our alarm to rise before sunrise, took our flashlights, and made our way down the tree lined path to the edge of the Grand Canyon. The glow before sunrise was beginning to illuminate the sky. The cloud cover was still thick from the rain the night before, but the beauty of the canyon at sunrise was still breathtaking.

After breakfast Thursday, our motor coach headed for Las Vegas, Nevada. On the way, we briefly traveled on historic Route 66 before heading for Hoover Dam. Just after crossing the dam, it began to rain. The closer we got to Vegas, the harder it rained.

As we approached Las Vegas on the Interstate, we began to notice that many of the side streets and exit ramps were flooded. In fact, the exit we were to use to reach our hotel was flooded and closed. That's when I began to thank God I wasn't driving. But fear not, Larry, our driver, knew his way around Vegas! Larry continued on past several more closed exits till he found one that was open. He navigated through flooded streets and made his way to the back entrance to the Imperial Palace. However, the back entrance was blocked by a 4 foot deep torrent of water rushing through the ground floor parking lot of the hotel. But fear not, Larry knew his way around Vegas! He continued navigating through flooded streets, giving us a tour of the town, and making his way around to the front of the hotel. By this time, the rain had stopped. Larry dropped us off at the front door of the Imperial Palace - dry ground - dry feet - Yea Larry!

On our arrival in Vegas, they were experiencing their worst flood in 80 years! Everything was flooded out or closed. But nothing can keep Vegas closed very long. By late afternoon, things were opening up again and by evening the Las Vegas Strip had nearly returned to normal. We took in a show and also got to see the Fremont Street Experience light show.