Day Two
I was up bright and early (6.30) trying to sneak into the shower without waking anybody up but it turned out the shower was super noisy so yeyyy everybody was up early! Haha, we aimed to leave the hotel by 8.30am to get back to Yosemite nice and early. To be fair we left only like 15mins later which was fine, but then we also stopped for fuel and food. Never mind it was still pretty early.
The hotel staff had recommended a nice part of Yosemite close to the side we needed to get over to Vegas in the afternoon which was called the something meadow. It was apparently a nice easy hike past a lake. Unfortunately, I spotted a sign that said lake and took that as being where we needed to be. 2.3miles uphill later we found Elizabeth Lake! God, it really was a difficult hike my legs were killing.
When we did eventually get to the top though it was so worth it. It was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been and so calm, yet surprisingly cold. Obviously we had a mini photoshoot at the top, although being with all these young thin girls was pretty devastating haha. I did however encourage Antonia to jump in the lake and climb over to a big rock island thing just because it would be a cool photo, and obviously she obliged. After a quick lunch back at the bottom, we jumped in the car to get ready for the longest stretch of our journey yet, a six hour drive to Vegas. I have never seen such empty roads before it was really strange we literally drove at times for hours without seeing another living being/car. There were some pretty exciting roads too though like one that has ‘bumps’ which was like being on a rollercoaster; at one point I got such a fright I screamed and woke Jenna up from her nap, whoops!
We also crossed our first ever state line which was pretty exciting; even though we almost missed it and I swerved in to the pull over space just in time. It was weird though because we then went back in to California on the same road then back over to Nevada, I really don’t understand how when we were going one direction but never mind.
As we were driving East I got some really pretty views in my mirrors of the sunset whilst driving through what I assume was the Nevada desert.
Eventually we got on to some busy roads and could see the lights of Vegas in the distance. Then came the stressful part, driving through the city to find out hotel. All in all it wasn’t too bad I just had to keep reminding the girls that I know it’s pretty but we need to find where we’re going and focus first! We are staying in the Hard Rock which is pretty unreal our room was pretty beaut, even though we didn’t manage to get a pool view room.
After a quick shower (we literally had muddy legs off the dusty walk) we got dressed and headed out for a late dinner to the Hard Rock Cafe on site. Our server was absolutely amazing, even though we snuck in just before closing time, and we enjoyed a nice relaxed meal which was just what was required.
From a long journey, I was totally ready for bed though, so me and Antonia headed back to the room to curl up, whilst Jenna and Alex went for a wander to the strip to check out some of the sights.
Day Three
Ahhhh Vegas pool day!!!
I don’t actually know how I survived in the sun today, it was so ridiculously hot. The girls and I chilled in the pool quite a lot and gossiped and caught up on each others lives which was actually really nice.
It was then obviously time for an obligatory cocktail; we couldn’t possibly be chilling by the pool in the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas! True to form though the heat of the Vegas sun melted my frozen daiquiri pretty quickly so I had to drink up.
The strip is so unbelievable there really are lights everywhere it’s a little overwhelming.
We ended up eating in P.F.Changs and the food was amazing. I had sesame chicken and it was the first meal I finished in weeks. It was really beautiful. After dinner we crossed over to the Bellagio to see the fountains. We watched two of the short shows, the first one was to the Pink Panther tune which was pretty cool then the second was to Uptown Funk, they were both really good in their own way.
I literally love how warm it is at night here, it’s unreal! The sun definitely takes it out of me though I cannot even remember falling asleep.
-Samantha Patterson
