Witnessing the Las Vegas Boom
Marc had a bad case of wanderlust at the beginning of the July 4th weekend. He wanted to travel and Las Vegas was big on his mind. I was a bit hesitant to make the 10 hour car ride from the San Francisco Bay Area but agreed to it later on. We left very late in the morning and arrived in Vegas right when the restaurants and many commercial establishments were closing for the night. Given the holiday that it was, Vegas was full of visitors. It was packed but fun.
The Newly built New York, New York Hotel along the strip
In front of New York, New York
The Mandalay Bay. I am not sure if it was already up and running. I think it was still under construction when we took this picture.
At the Treasure Island Hotel Resort and Casino. Back in the nineties, Treasure Island was the hotel to see and be seen. Now of course there are posher places like the Wynn and Bellagio.
Right on one end of the strip stands the Stratosphere Hotel and Casino. It is more famous for its ride on the very top of its tower.
Vegas was undergoing huge changes when we visited in 1997. Cranes could be seen along the strip building more and more hotels and casinos. I, myself, cannot believe how the city has grown into a place like Los Angeles. Oaris, Paris, the Venetian, Wynn, Aria, and the City Center were ye to be built at this time.
Tis is was we saw from atop the Stratosphere's Tower
The Excalibur Hotel was home for Marc and me on this visit to Vegas.
A view of the desert that surrounded Vegas. Who would have thought people would one day live here?