DISTANCE -- 265 miles. Travel time -- approximately 4 hours, if and only if traffic permits.
"It's not too far."
Yeah, right. It's a common statement you keep hearing all the time in this big country where everyone seems to be desensitized by road travel. It doesn't matter where they are headed to and if the speed registers 70 miles per hour (that's 112.6 kilometers per hour) on the speedometer (that is fast, don't you think?) as long as they get to where they want to go.
Apparently, it is not too far for my friends as well. Opting to live in the star spangled banner nation, they have gotten to ride the tide of long distance traveling. Upon hearing that I was spending time in Las Vegas, they offered to "pick me up" and stay with them. It's not too far, they are just in Los Angeles, California.
They made it look and sound like I was in Matina and they were in Bankerohan (sorry guys, you have to be Dabawenyo to know the distance. This is literally the real, not too far, five minute drive.) More charmingly, they will feel bad if I don't go with them. Sweet.
They did come and spent a couple of days with the Davao gang in Sin City. After a few dollars poorer from hoping to cash in a million from the Vegas machines but a whole lot of fun richer from gulping their vodkas, we hopped in their car and went our merry way to L.A.
Yes, it's a trip across the Mojave desert along I-15 and a chance to experience a forecasted windstorm that can topple cars from the highway. Exciting. But our combined weights proved to be more formidable than the gusts -- many thanks to the crispy bacon of the Bellagio.
Four hours stretched to eight. We were not in a rush, so we might as well enjoy the whole trip and make it memorable for this visiting third world probinsyano. This is what transpired within those godly hours.
We bid Las Vegas goodbye as soon by mid morning. Just made it for lunch at the edge of Nevada -- Primm.
Just when you thought you have seen the last of the slot machines, you have not. This casino resort town is your last or first chance to gamble legally some of your purse dollars depending on which direction you're coming from.
Apparently, this spot gets a heavy load of senior gamblers from California who wants to be entertained by the "kachingy" sound of the slot machines. I don't think they would be here for the world's tallest roller coaster. Impressed? You would be if you were here thirteen years ago. Care to ride it now?
But before we finally cross the border, the lure of the shopping mall outlet turned our car to auto pilot. It's a "just in case we find something interesting" stop, an excuse we shopaholics love to make. And we didn't (and refused to) end up disappointed.
Finally crossing the border, it was dark. Chitchat, music and munchies plus the more interesting tourist sights and traps along the sandy stretch took our minds off the long ride. Take for example the world's largest thermometer at 134 feet high at Baker. The height commemorates the hottest temperature ever recorded, 134 degree Fahrenheit, in the USA measured in the nearby Death Valley almost a hundred years ago.
Zzyzx Road. Say it. Again. Wherever it heads to, I will find out on my next visit. Same promise I made when we went past the Ghost Town. I never such town really existed. I know they do but naming it such is another thing. Who lives there?
The landscape has changes and soon bright lights were glowing in the horizon. We were in the City of Angels and I thoughts why it was named such flashed in my mind. The way they drive on the freeway makes me think everyone in the city is in a rush. Zooming and zipping cars way above the speed limit, crisscrossing lanes with amazing skill. Our jeepney drivers can survive here.
With such daredevil driving, I guess they are indeed closer to heaven. I am not too eager to become an angel yet. Count me out please, I just got here.