9/17 The Cam and Tojo Switcharo:

Cam and I said goodbye at the Las Vegas Airport. We had an incredibly fun time touring and hiking and I miss you already. I waited about an hour for Tojo’s flight to land to continue the trip back east. His flight was on time and my sadness was interrupted because of his excitement at stating an adventure.

Before even leaving the airport Toj, whose real name is also named Tom, informed me he was a very lucky gambler and proved it right in the airport by winning $2 at the slots next to the luggage pickup area. I knew right then I was in big trouble. We headed directly to the strip, not to gamble but to see the distasteful display of American decadence before beginning our wilderness trek into the Grand Canyon. We did stop long enough to eat the mini-burgers at the Clown Casino, and Tom won another $6. Being responsible nature seeking folk, we left before the clutches of Sin City took hold. The burgers however did not let us forget our visit for quite awhile.

The next stop was Hoover Dam, a second time for me because it was on route to the Grand Canyon. We stopped so Tojo could get a quick look. We pushed on to the Kaibob National forest just outside the Grand Canyon where we pulled in late to camp. The next morning the temp was in 30’s and Tom, sleeping in the upper bunk in the Westfalia, froze his petooties off. What the hell is a petootie anyway?