Sin City in less than 30 minutes

Two weeks ago I hopped on a plane in Des Moines, caught another in Denver, and landed in Las Vegas where I had a tight 30-minute connection between flights before heading out on the last flight of the day. You'll be happy to know that I took this all in stride and even managed to snap photos so you could join me on my half-hour tour of Sin City. So buckle your lap belts, put your seats and trays in their upright and locked positions, and get ready for a glimpse of Las Vegas at night.

Welcome to Las Vegas! Home of lots of lights...

...and the most slot machines I've ever seen!

Now, turn around because we're about to board. In the mere minutes we have to spare, soak in all the atmosphere you can from this mural of Las Vegas past.

We're heading outside now. No fancy enclosed boarding bridge for us. Nope. We get to walk outside and breathe in the fresh jet-fuel-laced air and haul our bags up the steep stairs into the smallest prop plane I've flown on in over a decade. Better buckle up inside because the cross winds are nasty and we're in for a "fun" ride [sarcasm fully intended].

Taxiing out to the runway, this is the only glimpse of the Strip we'll get. Soak it all in!

No - you're not sick. Those lights are supposed to dance. We're just taking off. Close your eyes and it'll be better. Just because the large jet you landed in less than a half hour ago had troubles because of the wind, this little bitty plane is sure to handle them much better. I'm not exactly sure how, but the pilot promised, so of course it must be true. (Yeah, right! This is merely a reminder that late night flights on tiny planes into superbad crosswinds are never a good idea.)

There it is! That's your reward. The Strip is glistening in all its megawattage and glorious brilliance. Maybe next time you'll have a chance to walk past the dancing water at the Bellagio and enjoy the musical fountain before heading inside for the buffet and all-you-care-to-eat Alaska king crab legs and creme brule.

It's probably a good idea to close your eyes now and fall asleep so you won't feel the plane drop, twist and roll in the turbulance. I've heard it makes the flight go by more quickly. Might want to try it sometime. That is, as long as the guy sitting next to you decides to stop chatting and let you rest. Yeah. Good luck with that. Happy trails!