I left in the morning. It was an easy drive... but got hotter with each passing hour.

Mount Baldy (officially Mount San Antonio) is the highest peak in the San Gabriel Mountains and the highest point in LA County. The summit actually has two peaks: the main peak (elevation 10,068) and a sub-peak (9,988 feet). This was the first big mountain I ever hiked!

Driving off into the haze

I have always loved this name, ever since I worked here once when I was 17 on an archeological dig. Originally known as Soda Springs, the area received this made-up name in 1944 by its owner, Curtis Howe Springer, whose intention was to have it be the last word in the English language. The land was reclaimed by the government in 1974 with a focus on its many prehistoric arrow heads and rock art.

The Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System consists of three solar thermal power plants, making it the world's largest solar thermal power station. The facility formally opened the beginning of this year.

There are miles and miles of nothing... until you hit the Nevada state line...

... when suddenly a concrete oasis springs from the barren desert.

Even on the stretches between casinos, the way is paved with billboards.

Approaching Las Vegas

Las Vegas was established in 1905 and became a city in 1911. Its tolerance for various forms of adult entertainment gave it the nickname of Sin City. In 1931, Nevada legalized casino gambling and rules also changed making it much easier for people to get a divorce. The year following World War II saw the arrival of the lavish hotels, giant casinos, fine dining and shopping, big-name entertainment and extensive nightlife.

A view of the remoteness from above (with island of Las Vegas in the middle)

Heading into town

I arrived at Dave's around 1 pm. It was hot! We popped out for a quick lunch at Anthony & Mario's Broadway Pizzeria... Home of the Garlic Knot.

A charming little place!

The infamous Garlic Knot. They were indeed quite good!

That's a lot of food!

I took a short nap then we headed out to Fremont Street for the evening. At 7:30 pm, it wasn't too crowded yet.

The Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, which opened in 2010, was designed by architect Frank Gehry. Some critics had this to say: "If I had a problem with my brain, I would not be reassured arriving at this place." I suppose it just depends on how mentally 'twisted' you are!

We found a place to park on the street then headed in. The Fremont Street Experience was opened in 1995. The canopy is 90 feet high at the peak and runs for four blocks (about 1,500 feet in length). There are 12.5 million LED lights and free shows run from dusk until midnight!

Approaching the covered section

Fremont Street had the city's first hotel (1906), first telephone (1907), first paved street (1925), first Nevada gaming license, first traffic light, first elevator (1932) and the first high-rise (1956). For many years, the western end of Fremont Street (with its large number of neon signs) had the nickname "Glitter Gulch." But by 1992, most of the Vegas casino market was on the Strip. The Fremont Street Experience was built to try to win back some of that business.

Sex sells... keep this theme in mind for the rest of the photos!

There were numerous free shows, such as this one.

The enormous overhead canopy (known as Vista Vision) was basically one huge video screen!

Holding it up are 16 columns, each weighing 26,000 pounds and capable of supporting 400,000 pounds. Within the canopy itself are 220 speakers powered by 550,000 watts of amplification.

There were countless entertaining things going on... artists, performances, music, costumes, etc.

These were all done with spray paint! Incredible!

Carl "Safe-sax" Ferris

Elvis struts by while a 'chief' flaunts his stuff.

Complete with tail, this woman wore a VERY minimal devil outfit.

People flew overhead on ziplines.

The original, smaller zipline was meant to just be a temporary attraction. But it was so popular that it was expanded and reopened earlier this year.