Gas-Up Early and Often

We stopped in Mesquite to switch drivers, relieve bladders and stretch
legs. Stepping out into the Nevada heat, that good ol' desert dry
heat--107 degrees and 6% humidity, was stifling. The car had plenty of
gas to carry us through Las Vegas, to Primm and beyond but heeding the
word of a wiseman who once told me to gas up whenever I could,
especially in the desert, we did so. Saints praise that sage!

Twenty-five miles just outside of Las Vegas, traffic ground to a dead
hault. What should've been the last thirty minutes of desert highway
into town turned into two hours and thirty minutes. The best we could
gather was that there was a bad accident up ahead that closed the entire
interstate, congesting and diverting traffic to the old two lane
highway. Twice we had to execute emergency engine cooling procedures,
rolling down windows and adding to the arid heat by running the car's
heater full blast, the engine temp guage bobbing like a metronome.
Thank heavens we weren't stranded out there light on petrol!

Once we actually made it into Vegas and walked into the circus that is
Circus Circus, we realized that in the confusion brought about by heat
exhaustion, we had left the camera in the car. A long walk in the heat
once more to grab it, the traditional buffet for dining, then to the
midway to play games and win prizes!

After we had acquired more stuffed animals than we could carry, we
loaded back up into the car to finish the day's drive to Buffalo Bill's
here in Primm. The short drive from Vegas to Primm afforded Sadie
enough of a catnap to be fully charged and ready for more. Heading to
our room, she was fully prepared to give every slot machine we passed a
chance to spit out another toy for her. Even now she's spread the day's
winnings on the bed around her and is joyfully briefing each one on our
agenda.