Night Falls On Las Vegas

Night brings its own beauty to Las Vegas.

Or does it? Why wear your shoes when you have slippers? Double peep opportunity.

Inside, outside? Who knows in Las Vegas?

It all depends on your point of view, fish-eyed or reflected.

James wasn't the only one drawn to the night spectacle.

Seeing Red In Las Vegas

Slot machines might be ubiquitous inside all of the Las Vegas casinos but outside, red boxes rule. They seem to be wandering the streets, pausing everywhere for no particular reason.

Hitchhiking? Waiting for a taxi?

Enjoying some late afternoon sun?

Popping by the mall for a little shopping? Stuck in no-box land?

Life can be lonely for the little red box.

People Watching People Watching At Las Vegas' Treasure Island

Sometimes, the best view of a show is in the opposite direction. The Treasure Island casino on the Las Vegas strip has a good gimmick, some sort of pirate show a few times a day that features acrobatic characters and ships belching pyrotechnics. Best of all, it's outside and it's free. Show it and they will come.

And come they will.

The crowd gathers. To look at what, they're not sure.

More watching and waiting.

On the way over, a family pauses for pics.

Japanese tourist.

Off The Las Vegas Strip

It only takes walking of a couple of blocks to get away from the glitz and glamor of the Las Vegas strip. Pirate ships and dancing fountains give way to survival in the desert.

Wall o' Strip.

How do you landscape in the desert? Gravel, parking garages and power boxes.

Modern pied piper.

Department store and sun setting.

The sheen emanates from the strip.

Loveland Pass, Colorado

Time to head up, way up.

James was there for another Ford Truck Challenge. First, it was heat in Laughlin, then altitude at Loveland Pass. You can check out the finished video here.

The lonely parking lot at the top.

Scouting selfie.

Lonely Laughlin, Nevada

Laughlin, Nevada is a small, sleepy town compared to bustling Las Vegas, a couple of hours to its north. When the temp soars, nary a person can be found beyond the casino floors.

No one needs a taxi.

Or feels like moving a trailer or motor home.

Wait! A person! Oh, just an employee in charge of cleaning empty fountains.

You can always gaze at the questionable architecture. Or count the days until Oliver North makes an appearance.

Even the gun weather vane isn't moving.

Lovely Laughlin, Nevada

James does a lot of work for Ford and one of the company's favorite places to go test its trucks is also one of the most unforgiving areas of the United States. Welcome to Laughlin, Nevada.

Laughlin is down at the southern tip of Nevada, tucked in between the state line and the Colorado River. It's another created gambling mecca, but, shall we say, with the budget roller in mind. For James and the rest of the crew working with Ford, it's the closest place to grab a bed. And then grab your suitcase and get out of there.

Beautiful greenery and a nice skyline.

Fooled ya! It's all haze and desert just beyond the casino sprawl.

The Colorado River makes an appearance, but lacks any "wow" factor.

Best to head for the pool or tennis court, if you can stand the punishing 100+ degree summer weather. The lights come on at night, adding a layer to the obscurity.

With the temps so high and the window tint so thick, the light becomes other-worldly.

Way Out West

There's nothing like heading West to get away from it all. James was lucky enough to have a few work projects take him to desolation and he brought back these images.

Phone call.

Night. Outdoor garage.

Non-working utility pole.

Hard sell on jerky. Hard warning on parking.

Respite under a tree.

Ruins - natural and man-made.