Welcome back, Jerry Elmer Hornsbuckle! Wow! The Grand Canyon, Paris, Venice, ancient Egypt and an exploding volcano. (Isn't New York City in the neighborhood of Las Vegas as well?) That's one heckuva trip. For that you get two cups of coffee and a bagel with lox and cream cheese thrown in, seeing as you don't have to worry about your weight 'n all : > )

The slot machine scene is surreal. You have to wonder about the back stories of some of the people standing hypnotized in front of those computerized, soul-less gizmos designed to tweak irrational hopes and desperation. Did you see the ones in the airport? Actually, Las Vegas itself is the height of surreality--yes? What prompted such an improbable destination to spring forth in the middle of a desert, with garish monuments, kitschy spectacles, and the ability to vacuum up more money than you can shake a stick at?

Glad you and Ruth had such a great time there. It's definitely worth the detour at least once in a lifetime. And the Grand Canyon is in a class by itself. Someone ought to write a suite about it. Again, welcome back.

Elmer