We woke up late on Thursday morning (10 a.m.), and got ready to leave. We could have used another day to walk around and maybe hang out at the hotel pool, but we didn't want to get into the habit of "staying one more day" or we'd never make it back to Philly in time. We had lunch at the hotel buffet. It was less than $10 a person even before we cashed in the $2 off per person coupon we got from the hotel, and the variety and quality of the food was incredible for such a low price--fruit and salad bar, carved turkey and ham, shrimp cocktail, eggs, bacon, omlettes, sweet and sour chicken, muffins, and an incredible dessert spread. And I'm sure there was more that I have forgotten.
We checked out at noon, took a hotel bucket of ice for the long hot car ride, and started our drive to our first stop, Hoover Dam. Peter knew a lot about the history of the Hoover Dam--it was President Herbert Hoover's unsuccessful attempt to create jobs to avoid the Depression--so it was very impressive to him. I had seen it before but had not learned or remembered the history so it was good for me to revisit it. Also, the scenic overlook of Lake Mead on the way to Hoover Dam was impressive, and we met some nice people there from Poland.
After Hoover Dam, we drove down highway 93 to I-40 and then drove pretty much straight through Arizona to Albuquerque. We had each seen the Grand Canyon before so that was not a required stop. We stopped for gas in Kingman, AZ; they sold dream catchers (a Native American artifact) at the gas station for 8 bucks but they looked artificial and mass produced so I held off on buying one there. For dinner we stopped at Denny's in Holbrook, AZ. It is a part of American culture that Peter hadn't experienced before, and I like their club sandwiches.
The one regret on this leg of the trip is that I did not studied the maps carefully enough; otherwise I would have made sure we drove through Arizona's Painted Desert and the Petrified Forest during daylight hours.
We arrived in Albuquerque at about 1:00 a.m. and checked in to the University Lodge (recommended by Let's Go). This was a shock after being at the palatial Stardust. Neither of the lamps in the room worked, and there was a funny smell coming from the air conditioner. But at least there was free coffee and donuts in the morning.