Instead of searching through other hotels along the Strip, I thought today, being my last day here, I'd see what my own hotel has to offer.

I find my way to Circus Circus' Grand Slam Canyon (also known as the Adventuredome), located on the second floor above the casinos. Five acres of thrill rides and other attractions fill the giant pink, glass dome. The rides here are awesome (for a hotel), and today there were very few lines for anything. The Canyon Blaster is the only indoor douple-loop, double-corkscrew roller coaster in the country, and well worth a ride if you enjoy coasters. Also, be sure and try the Rim Runner water ride if you feel like getting really wet. (If not, you can purchase a plastic poncho a few feet away from the waiting line for only $1.)

You'll also find bumper cars, laser tag, a merry-go-round, carnival games, and much more here.

After spending a few hours in Adventuredome, I head back downstairs and go to the far end of the casino, where you can then go upstairs into the Midway. This is a fantasy land for kids and kids at heart. Even more carnival-type games line the walls of this area (along with a McDonald's if you need to refuel). Every hour, above the Midway, you can catch a spectacular circus act. This afternoon, I watched The Osorio Brothers ride bicycles, play leap-frog and more along the high-wire at the top of the building. They've been performing here for close to ten years and seem to enjoy doing so. They were kind enough to talk with me for a few minutes after their show about what they do, and about my trip.

Of course, evening came and I found myself, once again, at the MGM Grand. It's my last night in a town where I beat the odds when the odds are against you, so I'm treating myself to a show. Front row, baby!

EFX, starring David Cassidy (The Patridge Family), is a spectular show performing nightly at the MGM. It's a wonderous display of music and excitement not only on stage, but surrounds and involves the audience! James Earl Jones make an appearance as the EFX Master, who sets the storyline and gets the show underway, via an oversized video display. David Cassidy has certainly grown up since the 70's, and he has made this show his own. EFX has been at the MGM for three years, previously starring Michael Crawford in the lead role. It's one of the largest plays you'll ever see on stage, has won critical acclaim and numerous awards over the past few years, and remains the best selling show in Vegas. And of course, I got to shake David Cassidy's hand as he swept through the audience while performing a song, so that's yet another quick notch on my Brushes With Greatness belt. (Didn't realize there was more than just this website, did ya?)

As the show ended and the crowd dispersed, smiles abound, I saw that a slight rain had been falling over Vegas, and I felt somehow renewed. Refreshed. Alive.

This whole trip has been one blessing right after another. I've been to places I never thought I'd see. I've met countless people along the way who've been incredibly kind and generous. Meeting friends along the way has been unexplainably wonderful. And somehow, seeing America with my own two eyes makes me cling to it tighter than I had before.

The lush landscapes of Virginia and North Carolina... the history and tastes of New Orleans... fields of green in Texas so vast, they stretch out and touch the horizon... the desert plains and unusual wildlife of New Mexico and Arizona... the lights and sounds of Vegas, win or lose... this is an incredible country with so much to offer, I couldn't possibly include it all in one big whirlwind trip. I still have a long way to go. Los Angeles... San Francisco... Yellowstone... Mount Rushmore... Wyoming... South Dakota... Iowa... Chicago... Michigan...

I can't possibly fathom what awaits me out there. It mystifies, excites, and scares me all at once. But all I can do is hope for the best, put my foot on the gas, and see where the road takes me.

See you on the road...

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