Wild Wild West

Technically, we are still in the same country after our five-hour flight from Washington DC to Las Vegas, but it sure is a different world. We pass on the gambling machines that greet us at the gate and head to the bus stop. Every couple of minutes, a busload of tourists is taken to … the rental car terminal. Yep. Everyone needs a car in the South West. And some might have had the same idea as we had: A road-trip starting and terminating in Las Vegas, one of the most absurd cities on the planet.

Before we start our 18-day adventure in our Nissan Rogue, we hit a Target store and get some groceries as well as a booster seat that is cheaper to buy than to rent for the time. After that, to make things even more absurd, we experience a torrential downpour as we try to find our way out of the desert metropolis. We visit the Hoover Dam before we enter the legendary Rout 66. In a motel in Seligman, we rest our heads. 

What exactly are we doing here in the wild west? Initially, Anna was invited for masterclasses at a renowned West Coast university as well as a concert in the area, so we had booked our flight accordingly. However, not all things work out as planned, and both events were cancelled, eventually. So, we had a lot more free time than we had expected – a perfect opportunity for what I had dreamt of for a long time: a road-trip through the national parks of the south west. In my opinion, to fully understand a country, I must experience both its cultural and its natural monuments. And to cut a long story short: I was deeply fascinated not only by the proverbial vastness of the plains and canyons in Arizona and the deserts in California, but also by the diversity of landscapes and habitats. One moment, we drive through yellow grasslands that seem to stretch beyond the horizon, pass meteor craters in surreal desert landscapes, but just a few minutes down the interstate, we enter a lush green canyon with cozy campgrounds and a river to swim in. 

I will not waste your time with a detailed account of all the things we saw and did but let me give you a quick tour of a few things I learned. Camping is a common pastime in the US, but the idea is a bit different to what we do in Europe. Campfires are a must; water closets, sinks, and showers are not. Campgrounds are spacious and you can expect to see moose, deer, chipmunks, and other wildlife while there. Oh, and beware of the bear. In some places, you are supposed to lock all your food as well as everything that emits some sort of odor into a bear-proof box upon arrival. Generally, camping has been great, even though we did book a motel every couple of days for the sake of washing ourselves and our cloths, using wifi, and charging our various devices’ batteries. In Prescott, Arizona, we found an amazing public library that was a welcome haven: they let Anna book a room where she could make video calls (for free!) while us boys explored the impressive children’s books and jigsaw puzzle section. In terms of music, we did not find much time to discover local bands, but in Prescott, we did make it to a bar where we heard some fine blues. 

After 18 days of endless highways, old railroad towns, grand canyons, basic campgrounds, lovely people, excellent fries, hoppy beer, cool creeks, dusty deserts, a swim in the Pacific Ocean, grubby motels, huge redwood trees, and memories for a lifetime, we are now heading back to Las Vegas airport.