Las Vegas...I really miss Southland in West Memphis

So, I did it... I gambled in Vegas!  Let me tell you, I think the Indians have looser purse stings than these tightwads!  I lost $41 dollars!  I'm no fan West Memphis, however, at least Southland Casino pays out sometimes!  Vegas did me dirty...
On a side note, the Asian tourist phenomena study is progressing and the findings are worrisome... the farther west we get their flocks seem to get bigger.  They are fascinating but I'm starting to dread when I hear the low guttural grunt in the distance...

The big hole...

This being my first trip out west, how could I not stop at the Grand Canyon?  It certainly was a huge hole in the ground - however, I was more amazed by another first for me... the Asian tourist.  

These tourists sure can move and they do so in flocks.  Just as quick as they stop, the leader will throw his flag in the air, make a deep guttural grunt, and they all take off again toward him, leaving all the Americans and other tourists at the scene of the conquest with bewildered but relieved looks on their faces.  

I will have to study more on this phenomena.  Until then, here are some pictures we managed to snap in between the crowds...

Painted Desert/Petrified Forest... It's Just a Bunch of Rocks

Watch for RV's!!  I think a few elderly couples retired back in the 1970's, got lost in their RV, and have wandered the Painted Desert ever since.  Do not get behind them.

They also call this area The Badlands, but I think that is unfair.  I'd call it the "Just Okay Lands" - see for yourself...

Ghost Towns

When the superhighway I-40 was constructed in the 1950's and 60's to replace much of Route 66, several towns were by-passed and as a result, left to reinvent themselves and their economies.  Unfortunately, many were unable to support life without the traffic from Route 66 and quickly dried up.  Our path has crossed many such towns.  Ironically, these places didn't start to attract visitors again until after the inhabitants left.  I still don't think they receive that many visitors.  Given the eerie feeling these places evoke, I tried to spruce them up with some vivid HDR photography.  Here are the results:

Foss, OK

Texola, OK

Shamrock, TX

Glenrio, NM

San Fidel, NM

Two Guns, AZ