Viva!

We packed, cleaned the house, and finally left San Jose this morning at 7:30 AM. After an uneventful trip down 101 and over to I-5, I noticed that the front of our beloved cargo bubble was beginning to lift up in the wind. Left alone, it looked like the side hinge would eventually get tired and the lid would tear off and disaster would ensue. Fortunately we had some spare bungee cords and they have done the trick so far. Bur when we get back I'll have some stern words for the folks at REI and Yakima.
Once we got going again, we made our way to Bakersfield (a shout-out to Garland), and then on to Barstow and points East and rediculously hot. My guess was the thermometer would top out at 107...but we hit 114 just past Baker...amazing that so many people can live in the desert. It cooled off to a balmy 102 as we rolled into Las Vegas.
We've got a hotel a couple blocks off the strip, and spent the evening and night seeing all the big and famous casinos...I also managed to somehow lose $100 in blackjack over the course of the night. I'm not a big bettor so it was a relative bloodbath for me there.
Tomorrow we're off to the Grand Canyon (south rim) and we'll try to make it at least to Albuquerque for the night.
We're taking pictures but it looks like Blogger doesn't let me post photos from my handheld gizmo...I'll try to find a photo site that will work.