Spring Break '08 - Part 1 (the ride down)

So, there we were.   We were driving along in the family cruiser, making pretty good time, and Taylor looks up from her Harry Potter book and:

Taylor:  How far have we gone?

Mom:  South Provo.

You heard it right folks.  That's how the first conversation went in our ride to California.  We were so blessed that the questions didn't start until Provo.  You all know what I am speaking about.  The "how much longer," "how many more miles," and the infamous "are we there yet?"  

About the time we hit southern Utah she pops her head up again and - 

Taylor:  IS THAT A PLATEAU?

Mom:  It is indeed a plateau.

Taylor:  Guys look!  A plateau.  Mom, can I take a picture of all of the plateaus?  We are learning about them in school and the kids would love to see a picture of a real one.

About this time I am thinking that it is pretty darned pathetic that my eleven year old has never seen an actual plateau until this date (last Sunday), and I cannot even think of breaking the news to her that probably every other kid in her class has seen them many, many times.

So I say - "You bet.  We'll take one on the ride home."  (Only we didn't because we forgot).

Then we stop in Mesquite at McDonald's for a half a second.  Then we drive to Las Vegas, which my kids affectionately dubbed "Vegas" and kept saying it at least one million times.  "Are we in Vegas yet?"  "Is that Vegas?"  And even Jake in his primary prayer blessed us we could get to "Vegas" in safety.  It makes us sound so much more the world travelers when we refer to places by their nicknames, at least that's what we think.  So, by this time it is dark and every power plant we pass has GOT TO BE VEGAS.  

Mom: No, that's another power plant.  Trust me, you will know it when you see it.

Mom again:  Still no.  That's a power plant.

Dad this time:  All of those power plants are for Vegas.  You will not be able to miss it, it is really bright.

And then we crest a hill and LAAAAAAAA:

The kids: OH MY GOSH.  LOOK!  HOLY COW!  WOOO HOOO!  NOW THAT MUST BE VEGAS.  (basically a lot of cheering and laughing and high fiving).

The poor, simple minded kids were so impressed they couldn't contain themselves.  I don't know if it was all of the sparkling lights drawing them in or if they were just so overjoyed that we had made our destination.  It was a priceless moment.  And that folks, is the ride down.  Oh, we stayed in the South Point Casino.  I would highly recommend it!  Very clean.