Day 6 - Tehachapi to Las Vegas

The drive east from Tehachapi is straight and dry, and took me high above sea level over the Sierra Nevada mountain range to where highway 58 East meets with Interstate 15 North in the Mojave Desert.

The scenery is spartan, with only hardy desert vegetation tolerating the harsh dry wind and sun. The wind here is so strong and consistent, that wind-driven electrical generators provide a reliable source of power to the desert communities.

The air in the Mojave desert is so consistently dry, and the rainfall so rare that obsolete aircraft are parked here, preserved but unused.

There was no escape for me onto minor roads, for Interstate 15 is the only direct route to Las Vegas. Today's drive was not pleasant. The roads were monotonously straight, and the traffic was heavy and aggressive. I drove at the speed limit of 55 mph, and was constantly passed at high speed by almost every other vehicle, including big trucks. I estimated that the cars were passing me at 75-80 mph, and trucks were doing at least 65-70 mph.

Even less enjoyable was the drive for the motorists going the other way, who were stopped by a serious accident in the south bound lanes. The cars and trucks were backed up for about 15 miles, waiting for the road to be cleared. I counted my blessings that the accident wasn't on my side of the highway.

I was relieved to finally arrive in Las Vegas and check into Bally's Hotel. I'll stay here until Friday so I can attend the world's biggest electronic media convention and exhibition, the NAB show. During these four days of the show I can update my knowledge of the latest media technologies as well as renew old acquaintances from my days in the television broadcast industry.