Day 1: Los Angeles to Las Vegas

Quote of the Day: "Don't worry, it's Sunday. What could happen?" words of wisdom from Haley

Outside of New York New York

Calico Ghost Town

     We began this journey in anxietal apathy (ironically)—leaving behind our worries, our to-do lists, and everything else that consumes our lives. Although it at first seemed surreal and maybe a bit rushed, we soon realized that weeks of planning were finally materializing into an adventure of a lifetime. Driving through Duarte, as we passed the rare sight of a Wal-Mart, we realized that we were leaving to uncharted territory. The mountains, shrubs, and desert epitomized that road trip atmosphere that we're used to seeing in those cheesy road trip movies (Crossroads!, Hangover, etc...).
            Soon after, we formulated alter egos for us to be : Emma (Katherine), Mischa (Christina), Jordie (Estrella), and Babette (Haley!)! Realizing that the music was an epic fail, we made do while Estrella’s dad was texting us as if he were wiretapping the car… with my complaints regarding too low of a volume (I’m deaf…), my sunscreen requests, my onset of sickness, Estrella’s quirkiness, Christina’s cruise control, and Haley’s stuck seatbelt!
            The Vegas drive went smoothly. We took pictures outside of the ghost town Calico and experienced a severe weather shock! We even got ripped off at a $5 gas station where I sampled free beef jerky samples. When we finally crossed the CA/Nevada border, we began (of course) to experience tire issues. Luckily, Mr. Herkert changed our sketching hotel plans, allowing us to stay at a nice place instead! (Shout out to him!)
            Tired as we were, we all got dressed up and went to the Vegas strip to explore hotels and the night. Since we had overindulged on snacks, we opted out of eating dinner for $1 yogurt parfaits and side salads! We walked around Paris, Bally’s, the new Cosmopolitan, and the MGM Grand (where we randomly ate our Mickey D’s). Walking around Vegas felt…Vegas-y: guys passing out scandalous flyers, cultural cuisines, the smell of smoke, slot machine noises, and random Australians.
            Then we went to sleep late! Next stop—Salt Lake City, Utah!



 Best Moments:

•  Shrubs and pretty mountains
• Chevron man told us that he could not touch our car, but then fixed our tires and ran away yelling that he was going to lose his job.
• M&M World is 4 floors!
• Free parking. wooo hoooo!
• Nice hotel

  Worst:

• Emergency warning for tire pressure came on. Had to pull over to the side of the Vegas freeway only to drive to the nearest gas station where we begged a random man to help us.
• Estrella getting sprayed by 4loco 
•  Katherine IS sick
• $5 gas on the way to Vegas