This is Leg 2 of our USA & Canada Road Trip — we’re heading to Nevada!

Just joining me? Start from the very beginning → Finally, America — Day 1: Manila to Los Angeles

Day 10 – May 24 | Temecula, California

Post-Wedding Celebration 🎉

Day 10 was a well-deserved rest day, but far from quiet — it was all about celebrating Josh and Yves’ wedding with family!

After a Jollibee breakfast takeaway brought by Yves from the night before — and yes, fair warning, Jollibee here is surprisingly bland compared to back home in the Philippines — the group headed to Temecula for a post-wedding gathering at a relative’s place.

There was no shortage of food and drinks! There was a small hiccup with a food delivery that was mistakenly routed to another state, but thankfully a refund came through and mom saved the day by cooking pancit instead.

The day turned into a beautiful time of getting to know cousins and their kids, filled with laughter, videoke, and good company. A special shoutout to Ate Eddie Girl for the gift and her wonderful, talented kids, and to LH and his wife for being amazing. Cheers to family! 🥂

Day 11 – May 25 | California → Nevada

The Road to Las Vegas 🎰

The second leg of the American road trip kicked off with excitement — destination: Nevada!

🏜️ Calico Ghost Town, California. Entrance: $28 USD (~₱1,689)

The first stop was Calico Ghost Town, a fascinating historic landmark that looks straight out of an old Western movie — complete with swinging saloon doors, rustic restaurants, souvenir shops, and plenty of activities. The weather was noticeably warmer than Temecula but still manageable. Parking was easy, and the atmosphere was memorable. A great stop to break up the drive before heading to Vegas!

🪨 Seven Magic Mountains, Nevada

Entrance: Free | ⚠️ No toilets on-site

Next up was Seven Magic Mountains — a public art installation featuring towering stacks of colorful boulders rising from the Mojave Desert. It’s visually striking in photos, but the reality on the ground was brutal heat and large crowds. The walk from the parking area takes about 5–10 minutes each way, and with zero shade, it felt like a lot of effort for what is essentially a rock sculpture. The only restroom option? A single food truck nearby — and you’d need to buy something first. Honestly, skippable if you’re short on time or patience for the heat.

💧 Lake Mead, Nevada

Entrance: Included with National Parks pass / fee per vehicle

Lake Mead is the largest reservoir in the United States, created by the construction of the Hoover Dam on the Colorado River. Stretching across Nevada and Arizona, its vast blue waters against the surrounding desert landscape is a striking sight — comparable in feel to Taal Lake in the Philippines, but what makes it truly special is its story: it’s entirely man-made, born from one of the greatest engineering projects in American history.

🏗️ Hoover Dam, Nevada/Arizona Border

One of the trip’s highlights!The Hoover Dam was undeniably one of the standout moments of the entire journey. Straddling the border of Nevada and Arizona, this colossal concrete arch-gravity dam on the Colorado River is a true engineering marvel — built during the Great Depression between 1931 and 1936. It stands 221 meters tall and, fascinatingly, water poured off the Nevada side defies gravity and is blown back up by the wind — a moment that genuinely astonishes visitors.

Standing on the bridge here also means you’re literally standing between two states and two time zones — Arizona and Nevada operate on a -1 hour difference, making for a fun geographic quirk.The only regret? The parking lot closed at 5pm for an event, cutting the visit shorter than hoped. A guided tour would be highly recommended on a return trip — this place deserves more time.

🎰 Welcome to Las Vegas!

Las Vegas Sign. Arriving at 5:30pm, the famous Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign had a long queue of visitors waiting for photos. A quick snap from the corner of the area was enough to capture the moment before heading straight to the Strip.

🦩 Flamingo Hotel

$62/night (~₱3,800) | 2 Double Beds

The group checked into the iconic Flamingo Hotel, one of Vegas’ most historic casino hotels right on the Strip. Rooms were clean with a private bathroom, and vending machines were conveniently available on every floor.

Parking tip for future visitors: The Flamingo offers self-parking in its garage. As of recent information, self-parking is available to hotel guests — but do confirm current rates at check-in as Vegas hotels frequently update their parking policies.

The lesson learned here: go to the lobby first, drop luggage, then park the car — hauling bags from the garage is a workout nobody needs!

Check-in was hectic. The self-service kiosks weren’t cooperating, so it was a manual queue at the front desk. Just one of those Vegas moments.

The Sphere was tempting but the timing just didn’t work out for an 8pm show — and Vegas really rewards those who stay at least two nights to take it all in properly.

🍟 Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips

Lobster & Shrimp with Chips: $40 USD (~₱2,400)

Located just outside the Flamingo, this fast-casual spot trades on the Gordon Ramsay name. The lobster and shrimp with chips wasn’t bad, but arrived very oily and overly heavy on the fries. Pays by card or cash. Verdict: you’re paying for the name — there are better ways to spend $40 on the Strip. Skippable.

🚶 The Strip at Night

A night walk toward LINQ and Treasure Island gave a taste of just how electric Las Vegas is after dark — dazzling lights, buzzing energy, and the sense that the city never sleeps. Exhaustion caught up with the group before the full Strip experience could unfold, and it was back to the hotel to rest. The brothers and relatives, however, had other plans — casino time while everyone else slept! 😄

Day 12 – May 26 | Las Vegas → Utah

Before hitting the road, a peaceful morning moment: watching the Flamingo’s resident flamingos in their habitat — a surprisingly zen contrast to the chaos of the casino floor.

☕ Cortaditos Coffee, Flamingo Hotel

Cortadito: $7 USD (~₱422) | Card only | Order via kioskSmall but mighty. A cortadito is a traditional Cuban espresso sweetened with sugar and cut with a touch of warm milk — and despite the tiny cup size, it delivered a serious coffee kick. The perfect fuel for another big driving day. Highly recommended as a morning ritual in Vegas!

Next stop: Zion National Park, Utah — let’s go! 🏜️🌿