Vegas or Bust!

It was a long overdue trip that had been simmering in our minds for years.

My buddy had a monumental birthday, and we had been planning on a trip to Vegas since his LAST monumental birthday, but stuff happens and plans get delayed. This time we were resolute in making the trek to Vegas, and come Hell or high water, we were going on this trip.

Flights were booked months in advance. Accommodations were reserved. We made no real commitments on what we would do once we arrived. We were keepin' it loose, man. Fate was going to steer the boat! We had 6 days to kill, which if you've ever been to Las Vegas, you know is a generous chunk of time.

Our flight out was on Saturday, March 14th. Even a week before, everything looked good. There were some low rumblings about the Coronavirus, but nothing too serious seemed to be happening. Even on the Wednesday before everything in society seemed very business as normal.

Man, what difference a few days make.

Saturday rolled around, and things were really starting to pivot. We got on the plane. We were committed. We touched down in Las Vegas in the early afternoon, and even then things seemed a little "off". There had been some large conventions that abruptly cancelled, causing a slight roll off of business. Lyft and Uber drivers mentioned that, for a Saturday night, business wasn't quite what it should be.

Within 24 hours of our arrival the other shoe dropped. Major casinos started announcing that they would be closing in the coming days for a minimum of 2 weeks.

"Vegas or Bust" turned into nothing but bust.

Concerts? Cancelled. Shows? Cancelled. Comedy clubs? Shuttered.

Two days after our arrival every non-essential business closed down. That would be day two of a six day stay.

What does that leave you to do in Las Vegas?

Not much.

In fact, practically nothing. The one exception was Little Darlings strip club, who was proudly advertising "Coronavirus-Free Dancers".

Hard pass.

Lucky for me, I can't bear the thought of taking a trip without lugging my photography equipment with me. This trip was no exception. I had just stumbled into a golden opportunity: Photos of an abandoned Las Vegas.

Not a person in sight.

How many movies have you seen where there is a plot twist, and suddenly all of humanity vanishes into thin air?

It was like that. Except for realsies.

Irony.

The normally bustling Vegas Strip was desolate. In 2 hours of wandering I saw around a dozen tourists, and probably an equal number of transients wander the streets, and a smattering of security guards around casino entrances.

Normally, dodging crowds to get this photo would be impossible. Not on this night.

When the crowds disappeared it revealed that Las Vegas battles the same issues as every city

No people. No fountains. Nothing but a dark hotel.

How often can you sit in the middle of a street, taking your time composing a photograph?

They made the Las Vegas sign green for St. Patrick's day on March 17th. The city wasn't open to see March 18th.

After a few very quiet days, and nights filled with photography, it was time to tap out and go home early. By that time the airport was cavernous and empty, and what would normally be a prime flight was half full.

This trip wasn't what we expected or wanted. It was, however, historic in it's own right. Future trips to Vegas will likely all blur together, but these memories will always live on in their uniqueness.