First Day

We were hoping to leave around 7am this morning but didn't get away until closer to 830 (let's just say I was not the cause of the delay). The drive was fine and Mr Ripley behaved very well. He sat in the back seat quietly and occasionally glanced at the scenery. The first part of the drive through SLO County on 46 was very pretty but then the Bakersfield area was not so scenic. We stopped for lunch in Tehachapi and just off the highway it was just a mass of chain restaurants but we drove a little further into the town and it was a cute little western town (complete with tumbleweed blowing across the street) and we found an old-fashioned place for lunch called Kelcy's Cafe. It was a good start to a trip when I want to avoid chain restaurants as much as possible.
The drive through the Mojave Desert was prettier than normal because there were some wildflowers blooming so there was some yellow mixed with a bit of green. The traffic going the other direction was practically at a stand-still and we were glad not to be headed that way.
We arrived in Vegas around 430pm. We're staying at a La Quinta on Paradise Road because it's one of the few places here that takes dogs. I think the casino hotels want everyone gambling and not out walking their dogs.
Tonight we went to the Wynn Hotel and saw the show Le Reve. It is quite spectacular both artistically and technically.
Tomorrow we head to the Grand Canyon. I've never been there and I'm very excited about seeing it.