ZION NATIONAL PARK-DAY THREE & FOUR

On the third day (Thur) we took it easy and didn’t do as much.  Needed to give our legs and body a rest before doing any of the strenuous hiking that we are planning on.
We took a morning drive to the tunnels; which was awesome and so amazed by how the canyon walls changed in diversity.  We were hoping to spot a long horn sheep and maybe a baby or two.  But saw none this time.
Entering the 1.1mile tunnel
Checkerboard Mesa

As we are heading towards the tunnel, I notice that the camera battery was very low and I had taken out the extra battery for the camera and put in the back pack; which we didn’t have along.  So pictures would have to be limited.  We also was going to take one of the shorter hikes on the other side of the tunnel, but decided to postpone it and do the tunnel drive again later on.
Leah was sick again, starting to wonder if elevation has something to do with it, even though we are only at 4000 feet, we notice that she’s not as active and a little more edgy.
Brian and I took a leisure walk into the small town of Springdale, just outside of the park.  There is lots of restaurants, and art galleries and a few outfitters, other than that there really wasn’t anything spectacular in the town. 
After supper we jumped aboard the bus and decided to do two short and easy trails.  One being Weeping Rocks and the other was the River Walk.  Weeping Rocks was nice, but we didn’t really see any of the ferns growing on the rocks as was described.  Maybe we are too early in the season for it.  We did hear a large boulder fall from over us to the pool below us. 

weeping Rocks

The river walk was a very nice walk.  It is easy and wheelchair accessible.  It’s a mile walk up the canyon to the Narrows.  The Narrows are closed and probably won’t open until sometime in June.  In order to do the Narrows, the river has to be below a certain cubic feet.  You partially walk/swim in the Virgin River when doing the Narrows.  Maybe someday we will be back to do that adventure.

The River Walk-The end and entering the Narrows
Waterfalls at the River Walk

Now it’s Friday and we gave our bodies a rest, it was time to try a very strenuous hike.    we had decided on the Hidden Canyon Trail.  We knew if we were able to do this hike, then we would have no trouble doing the Angel Landing hike on another day. We had a hearty lunch before heading; also took a snack and plenty of water for the both of us.
Doing the Hidden Canyon Trail I would say it is not for anyone fearing heights, very young children, or anyone that has had recent knee, hip or  back surgery.  Thank  goodness for the chains to help you along.  So far I have to say this was one the best trails we have been on. 

 The Hidden Canyon Trail

We got dropped off at the Weeping Rock Trail entrance.  Where the trail splits in the beginning; left towards Weeping Rock, straight takes you both towards Hidden Canyon Trail and the Observation Point/East Rim Trail.  As we walked, we kept ascending upwards.  At one point the trail splits again The Observation Point trail is 8 miles round trip, and that will be done on another day when we pack our lunch with us.  So we stayed on the Hidden Trail.  As we went up and up, we had many switchbacks.  Then came the chains, where you literally walk along the cliff’s edge.  You really need to use the chains to help guide you, for the shear drop off was right there.

We are not even half way to the top!

 The chains and the cliff’s edge….

Was you entered the mouth of the Hidden Canyon, the maintained trail ends.  From there you enter at your own risk.  Brian and I decided to climb the obstacles and keep moving forwards.  As we got deeper into the canyon, we could hear rocks falling nearby.  Many hikers dropped off and didn’t adventure as far as we did, only one other younger couple ahead of us kept going.  After a short while, we decided it was time to turn back and head back down the canyon.

The canyon mouth
I decided to climb the walls!

Going back down seemed easier than the going up.  We did run into many other adventurers hiking and at points, you have to find a place to “pull-off” and allow the others to pass; specially when it came to the cliffs.  For the most everyone was courteous.
When we got back down to the bottom, we ran into the same young couple that went into the canyon ahead of us.  They told us that if we would have just gone in a little bit farther we would have reached a arch that are hidden in this canyon.  So Brian and I have decided if we get time after doing all the other trails, we may need to go back and to this one again and find the arch.
With the weekend coming up and many more visitors coming into the park, we may lay low for the next few days and spend it with Leah-who by the way hasn’t got sick again now for a day.

ZION NATI0NAL PARK-DAY TWO

As we awoke this morning to temps in the mid 30’s, we knew we had come north.  After firing our heater and making a nice pot of hot coffee,  it wouldn’t be long before we were warm once again.
Being a chilly morning, hot cereal was in order before we started out on our adventure for the day.   Because of the cold, Leah won’t  walk very good, so we didn’t feel guilty about not taking her for her daily morning walk.
so immediately after breakfast we headed out to the Visitor center where we waited for our “Ride With The Ranger” trip.  We had to be there 15 minutes before boarding the bus, or we could loose our spot to someone on the waiting list.
The ride started promptly at 9:00am with a loaded bus and a fantastic guide tour.  Our first stop was to a land slide that happened back in 1995 where the Virgin River re-routed itself after days of heavy rain, right in the middle of the road that we were traveling on.  Taking out the road completely, and stranding those at the lodge for over 36 hours.  A path was finally made to get those people out, but only by foot.  Vehicles literally had to be left behind for months, until the road could be rebuilt.  Two years after the work was completed, a mainteince worker was traveling on this same stretch, when he heard a loud crash, shaking the vehicle.  upon looking back, a portion of the road was completely caved in!  No one was hurt, but again, stranding many folks again at the lodge.  Then just this past Dec 2010, due to lots a rain, and a raging Virgin River and fearing a horrible flash flood, Zion Park was evacuated, both the lodge and the campgrounds.

  The remains of the land slide back in 1995
The rebuilding of the river and roadway-hoping this wall will hold the Virgin River in it’s place.


Next stop was to the Court Of  The Patriarchs; the Mormon Settlers is what gave Zion it’s name and naming the peaks of the canyons.  We also stopped at the Lodge which was built back in the 1920’s, burned down in 1966 and rebuilt that very same year.  The only thing that did survive the fire was the fireplace which still remains in the current lodge.
We stopped a few more times along the way, until we reached the end of the road.  The Temple of Sinawava where you got some spectacular view.  One stop just before there, gave us the view of the Great White Throne and Angels Landing, where they do many rock climbing.

Angels Landing
  The Great White Throne
Temple of  Sinawava-end of the road

We got back around 11:00am, grabbed lunch and headed back out on a long hike.  Today’s hike was going to consist of the 3 Emerald Pools, the Kayenta Trail and the Grotto Trail. 
Heading to the first Emerald pool was loaded with school kids and many other visitors from all over the world, so we had to share the path and some points wait for others to pass us.   The first pool called Lower Emerald probably was the most spectacular of all.

  Lower Emerald Pool

The middle pool was nice, but not as spectacular as the first one.  We had planned on taking the Middle Pool Trail back when we were done, but the trail is closed.  Back in Dec, I had mentioned about the heavy rain they received here, it created a mud slide-literally wiping out the Middle Emerald  Pool Trail.  Yet today, the ground is still unstable, and slides are still happening and workers are unable to get in to start doing the repairs. 
Middle Emerald Pool
Middle Emerald Trail-what is left of it

Although part of the trail was closed, we still could get to the Middle Emerald Pool.  But the strenuous part of the hike in its' self was heading to the upper Emerald Pool.  On the way we had already run into on person who injured their knee and another one that was sick due to lack of water therefore dehydrating herself.

 The trail wasn’t easy, but well worth it.
  The Upper Emerald Pool

Coming back down from the Emerald Pools, we split off onto the Kayenta Trail which was also strenuous with steep drop offs.  We ran into a few other travelers, but it was less traveled and we liked that.

 Kayenta Trail


The trail eventually winded itself back down to the Virgin River, where we had a choice of taking the West Rim Trail which takes you to the boy scout lookout and to Angels Landing or taking the trail back to The Grotto Day-Use area; we took the Grotto way.  The Grotto Trail was easy and short, heading you back to the Zion Lodge, where we jumped on the bus and headed back home.  That is after on short detour to the Court Of The Patriarchs for a quick picture.

The Court Of The Patriarchs:  Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob

When we got back, we were tired, exhausted and new we would sleep well tonight.  Maybe tomorrow we will kick back and relax a little.  But we do plan on doing the Angels of Landing.  That is the most strenuous hike and should not be done under windy conditions.

Zion National Park-Day One

As we arrived early morning into Zion National Park, we were told by the park ranger that we may have to wait to get a camping spot in South Campground.  He knew that there would be openings, but since it was still early and check-out wasn’t until 11:00am, we may have to wait.
So we pulled over, unhitched the car, and started to drive around.  What a maze this campground is!  We zigged and zagged back and forth, and low and behold a camper was getting ready to pull out.  He said that we could have his spot, and it was even a pull thru.  We parked the car, walked back, filled the rig with fresh water and then went back into the maze to try and find where we parked the car. 
It really wasn’t that hard, but as we pulled up, we notice that the site ahead of us was a bit more leveler, and more sun for the solar to work.  So pulling into it, I notice that the next site was now empty, and even more level and more sun for our solar.  Third time was a charm. 
Our campsite in South campground

Only downfall is that straight ahead is the path for tenters to go down to place their tents just below us-which means, Leah gets to bark-yeah…
We are just amazed by all the people out here, this time of the year.  Everyday the campground fills up, and rigs have to wait to get a spot.  In order to camp at Watchman Campground, you have to have reservations.  The rangers may park you for a day, until you are able to get into a spot in South Campground.  What a zoo!!
Now that we are parked, it was time to explore a little.  Leah is only allowed on one trail: Pa’rus Trail, while walking her, I guess it was her turn to get sick; poor girl.
After lunch, Brian and I headed first towards the visitor center, where we signed up for a 2-hour “Ride with the Ranger” for tomorrow (Wednesday).  Then we rode the free tram to the Human History Museum where we watched a 15 minute video of Zion.  
Later one,  in the early evening we  checked out the Watchman Trail for a nice early evening hike.  It was a moderate hike that we ascent 369 feet to a plateau with the most amazing view of the campground and the surrounding area.  
Watchman Trail
  Can you find us down in the campground?

VIRGIN RIVER CANYON

As we are looking and researching about going to Zion National Park, we discovered an area that we thought we would like to spend a night at.   Knowing that we would be leaving the Lake Mead area and heading down the road early afternoon, we knew this place would be a nice resting spot for the evening.
It’s Called Virgin River Canyon and is run by BLM/Arizona Strip Wilderness.  It’s right off I-15, exit 18 and only half mile off the Interstate.  This section of the Interstate runs only about 27 miles across the Northwest corner of Arizona between Nevada & Utah.

Although Virgin River Canyon is only a short distant off the Interstate, once you are inside the park,you really cannot hear the Interstate noise what-so-ever.  But you will hear the Virgin river roaring across rocks, specially in the spring when run-offs makes the river muddy and high and rapid.


You are surrounded by beautiful canyons that the virgin river created millions of  years ago.  We were told by the host that the only creatures we will probably see are reptiles, birds, and chipmunks.  Long horn sheep's roam the area, but have been pushed farther north into the Zion National Park and surrounding areas.


There is no limit as to how long you can stay, camping fee is $8.00; 1/2 price if have Golden Age/Access or the America the Beautiful passports.  There use to be a dump station, but no longer exist.  There are two loops to the campground, with the upper one being open and the lower one used as overflow or group camping.  Day-Use fee is $2.00 per vehicle.  Clean restrooms through-out the park with water access only at the bathrooms.  When fire restriction is not enforced, the camp host will sell you firewood.  We paid $5.00 for 9 pieces; which did us a nice fire for our Anniversary.

We will remember this nice little spot in our travels, if we ever are in the area again.

CHANGE OF PLANS

Most years by now, we have always been committed to a contract and been parked for the season someplace, somewhere.  This year is different for us since we longer signed anymore contracts with the Corps of Engineer.  Meaning we are free as a bird to do what we want, when we want.

We do have a commitment coming up, but not until the 1st of June when we will have to be at Grand Junction CO where we will volunteer for four months at the Colorado River State Park/James M. Robb Park.  But until then, we have been taking our sweet ole’ time heading in that direction.

We have spent the last month now at Mohave Lake and Lake Mead area near Las Vegas NV.  Our first plan of action was to hang out here at L.V. Bay campground until the 6th of May; where you are allowed 30 days on a site.  Then head on towards San Rafael Swell near Green River UT and near Goblin State Park on BLM Land. 

After talking to several campers that were heading North and making a pit stop to Zion National Park, we looked at the map and realized that was on our route heading towards CO and looked appealing to us.  Brian contacted the park and soon learned that it was difficult to get in due to high volume of guest.  However, they did make the comment that right after Easter and a week before Memorial Day they tend to go into a lull state, as long as we showed up in early week.  We would be guaranteed no spot if we wait until closer to the weekend-for they are always filled up.

As much as Brian and I love to hike and go exploring, Zion has what we are looking for with many ranges of hiking trails from easy, to moderate, to difficult.  Every day we can take a different hike, and never see the same area-so we are very excited about this new plan of action. 

We probably will hang out there for about 10-14 days or whenever we have had our fill of hiking.  Then we will move on to San Rafael Swell until it’s time for our appearance in Grand Junction.

We will get no TV reception, which is totally cool with us, and we may or may not get Cell phone reception.  Again, it sounds like a very active and busy place, so we can defiantly live without these luxuries.

We are going to take off early morning of our Anniversary (Monday, April 25th), go into Wally World that will do an oil change on our Motor Home, go to Sam’s Town for our Anniversary dinner/lunch.  Head out  for a one night stay at Virgin River Canyon; which is actually located back in AZ, but still on our path to UT; off I-15.  We should be in Zion early enough on Tuesday, April 26th to get a parking spot.

So, with that said,  we may literally be off grid for a spell.   I assure you that we will have fun and will post many new exciting things, once we are back on line again.  Until then….

THEFT & NOISE

In all the times that we have been a Gate Attendant or camped in other parks, I don’t ever think of recalling of theft being so high in just one campground. 
We did have our share of minor thefts while working the parks; coolers here, chairs there, and the most was being gas cans stolen the one year at Robinson Point.
While spending our winter months down in Quartzsite, AZ we have been warned that Generators were a hot item in the theft department and to make sure you locked up your generators or put them away.
In our case, we don’t have to worry about our generator being stolen, it’s a 4000 Onan that is attached underneath the frame of the motor home-so let a thief try and take it.  I don’t think they will get very far.
Anyways, while staying here on the National Recreation Area and in one of the more populated parks, one would think that theft would be low.  Specially when over 90% are seniors traveling slowly back north, with a few locals coming out to camp.
This week is National Park Week, so entrances to all National Parks are free for this week, ending on Sunday April 24th.  With the entrance being waived and Easter falling late this year, the parks are booming with young adults with kids and the younger crowd coming out.
With this being said, on Thursday Evening 4 of the Honda e2000 generators were taken from varies campers site.  All being under cable and lock.   The thief cut the cable and at one even took the cable with them.
Now comes Friday night and we are socked in with one family with 8 kids, a neighbor that has a big mouth and don’t know when quiet hours are and young adults that came out to have a good ole time.    By 11:00pm Brian yells out it’s quiet time and to shut it down.  The family with the kids quieted down-other than their screaming baby.  The big mouth got bigger and the party down a ways got louder.  By 1:00am, we have no choice but to try and get some assistant.
We don’t like calling 911-so I go on the Internet looking for the non-emergency phone number the local sheriff’s department.  found one, just to learn it’s the wrong number!  No choice now but to call 911.  The gentleman was understanding and directed our call the the National Park Service dispatch.  Come to find out-no rangers on duty and no assistant.  He asked if we got the host involved.
I guess from years of our own experience-we were never to get involve at night and to always call for assistant.  I guess the National Parks works differently around here.  So we had to go and get our poor host out of bed to get the folks to understand what quiet hours mean.  It did get quiet, but now we have been putting up with a screaming (and no it’s not crying) baby for over an hour…..I guess we are being punished.  I can understand a crying baby, but I have a hard time with a screaming baby or child.
One more night to go before they should all go home-hope it’s quiet…..

LAKE MEAD

Lake Mead is surrounded by the National Recreation Area.  The NRA provides many camping, boating, hiking, and scenic driving around Lake Mead.  The land is so diversely divided with it’s volcanic mountains, and high desert look.
When we arrived here at Lake Mead, we were excited about the many opportunities of maybe putting our canoe in in different water inlets and doing some exploring. 
When we saw the lake for the first time, Brian sad:  “Where’s the water”?  Lake Mead is so far down that I’m surprised that there are any boats left on the lake, including big houseboats over at Callville Bay.
Many boat ramps are closed around the lake, with only a few access left open to the Lake.  Concessionaire have lost business due to the low lake levels.  Reason that the lake is so low is because of past snow melting from high country hasn’t been enough to keep the Colorado River flowing where is should be, past droughts, and also Lake Mead is a major power plant for nearby towns and communities.
Lake Mead & Hemenway Harbor
The biggest attraction to the Lake Mead is probably Hoover Dam.  Hoover Dam is one of the largest Dam’s around and is supported by the Black Canyon Mountain walls.
Hoover Dam
BOATING:  Hemenway Harbor, Callville Bay, Echo Bay are about the only active boat ramps left here on lake Mead.  the boat ramps at places like Las Vegas Bay,Boulder Beach and Government Wash are closed.  It’s sad to look at these boat ramps, for they appeared to be fairly new yet and probably will never be used again, unless of high lake levels due to record flooding.  We found no beach acess to speak of, so swimming, I guess if you want to swim, you will walk a L-O-N-G ways down to the Lake or jump off a boat.
CAMPING:  Camping is allowed at Boulder Beach, Las Vegas Bay, Callville Bay, Government Wash, and Echo Bay.  Government Wash, is the only free camping with toilets and dumpsters, but no water or dump station.  Most come to Las Vegas Bay to dump and fill.  Camping is $10.00 per night with no hook-ups and half price if you have a Golden Age/Access or the American The Beautiful passports for Seniors or disables.
Our Site at Las Vegas Bay
If you are the social bug and like to visit with other campers, then I suggest Boulder Beach.  It has the most sites and very busy and active with many RV’ers.  If you still like to be a social bug, but would like a little more peace and quiet, then Las Vegas Bay where you will here the coyotes at night, and if you are lucky, you will get an outside site with a fantastic view of the canyon and of Las Vegas Bay water way.  If want something totally out of the way, and secluded, the Echo Bay may be the place for you.  Even though there is a small marina and concessionaire there, it’s still very  primitive and any disturbance you might get will probably be a wild donkey going through your site.  Callville Bay has a concessionaire and it appeared to be quiet, but with the activity of the marina near by. 
There are several large rigs in these campgrounds, the sites are not large by any means and it takes time and patients to get into a site without sticking out into the roadway.  You are just about guaranteed to brush against a bush or two with the side of your rig.
One clue I will share:  If you are a TV fanatic and want to watch your TV without Satellite, the one and ONLY place you will get ANY reception will be at Las Vegas Bay.  As for cell phones, reception was good but not the best at Boulder Beach and excellent at Las Vegas Bay; we have Verizon.  Anywhere else-forget it-won’t work.
HIKING:  There are many hiking trails around Lake Mead.  Depending on your speed and what you like to do there is from easy to moderate to difficult.  We even found some fishing trails that we explored on and found great views and awesome sites.
Las Vegas Bay along a Fishing Trail
The one that I would suggest that is a must is the Historic Railroad Trail.  The trail tells of the history of the building of the Dam and how they brought in the supplies by train.  There are 5 tunnels that you will come across.  Once you enter the last tunnel (heading towards the Dam), you might want to consider going back.  You can get to the Dam and to the Memorial Bridge/Highway, but it is a very long hike.  Take plenty of water and even a snack with you.
Historic Railroad Trail
some of the other interesting trails that we enjoyed was Redstone Dune Trail, Northshore Summit Trail (which you got an excellent view of “Bowl of Fire”), and the Bluff Trails.  The Wetland Trail was a bit disappointing, because there is no longer a wetland to view.  The only thing that we got to see was the rushing water way from Las Vegas Bay with a warning sign that  the water run off was from sewage runoffs and such from Las Vegas-that is why it’s called Las Vegas Bay….
 Redstone Dune Trail
N. Summit Trail/Bowl of Fire
Wetland Trail/Las Vegas Bay
We did miss going to Valley Of The Fire on the North side of Lake Mead, and was told that is a must-to-do.  So the next time we are back in this area, that will a “must” for us.  We also didn’t take the canoe below the Dam, for we need a special permit, and they only allow so many per day to launch below the Dam.  So again, that will be for the next time we come.

FISHING TRAILS

As Brian and I walk around the Las Vegas Bay Campground and towards the closed boat ramp, we came across several trails that head towards the rushing water.
On one of our crazy adventure we followed a foot trail that was not a registered trail with NRA.  It wind and meander what we thought towards the rolling creek.  But instead just along the bluff.  So we choose to make our own foot trail, towards the creek.  Once we got down there, we planned on walking along the water way and doing some of our own exploring.
Las Vegas Bay Water Way
Our exploring came to an abrupt halt when we got into cattails and the canyon wall that we just couldn’t get around.  Now the dilemma was do we back track all the way back or try climbing up on another old fishing trail that someone else made?  Brian didn’t think that I could make it up the canyon because it was steep, and it looked  like who ever made the foot trail did a lot of sliding downwards. 

The She-Woman that Brian tends to call me once in a while, said that I could make it-with a little boost from him.  Oh, he gave me the 1-2-3 push and I did make it up that canyon.  Only problem was, it was just a portion and we still had to climb upwards more yet!  Brian said that we probably climbed 90 feet straight up with little plateaus to land and rest once in a while.
We did make it back to the top, all dirty and dusty and just one minor scrap on my knee; which is already heeled up.  After that adventure, Brian said he needed a drink and that he wasn’t going to let me talk him into another adventure like that again.
So last night what did we do?  You guessed it-I had discovered another fishing trail along one of our walks several days back and I wanted to go exploring again.  But this time, a camper next to us had already been on it and said it was an awesome trail.  The only thing eerie for them, they went early morning and came across a fresh dead chicken with it’s neck broken and a candle still burning.  Now that would of freaked the both of us out!  But that didn’t stop us from still checking out the trial-only a couple days later.
As we entered the fishing trial and it wind it’s way back and forth, you did get a sort of eerie feeling.  We are surrounded with canyon walls and brush that has grown up.  the trail that we were following was along the Las Vegas Bay and what used to be the inlet waterway of Lake Mead.  The only sound you could hear was the occasional sound of water and the quails calling for it’s mate.  Due to the warm weather we have been experiencing, we also had to watch out for not-so-friendly-snakes.
Dried up water way
After about 15 minutes on the trail, we came across where the water way was rushing through a split in the canyon wall.  It was amazing and beautiful.  The camper next to us said the day they were there, that carps were spawning and trying to jump upstream.  We didn’t get to see any of that, but the view was worth the adventure.  We would have gone a little farther, but there was a family there fishing  downstream and we didn’t want to disturb them and it was getting also close to sun setting, and we did need to find our way back yet.
 Las Vegas Bay
The water stinks
 This dumps into Lake Mead
 Carving of the canyon wall
No scraps or bruises, but yet we were once again dirty.  And NO, we never came across any dead chickens either.

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITES

L
Our first experience ever in Las Vegas will be one we will always remember.  All the casinos, hotels, tourist people from all over the world, the traffic, all the types of Limo’s & Rolls Royce's. 
As you stroll down the Strip of Las Vegas,  not only are you reeled in by the buildings and the surroundings, but what also the going on.  You walk down the walkway and traffic is going in every direction, you will notice traveling advertisement.  Some for Shows in Las Vegas, but the ones that we seen were the most appalling.  I think my mouth fell to the ground when I first seen this going by:

Also along the street you will come across several  boxes that appear to be holding maybe newspaper or magazines for casinos and upcoming shows.  Again, when we opened the box, we were appalled as to what you will find.  Oh they had flyers and magazines for casinos and shows, but also advertising girls to come to your hotel room in less than 20 minutes!
The Boxes and the traveling advertisement were for solicitation for female companion or what we call “Ladies Of The Night”.  On the main part of the strip, at every corner and in-between, there are folks handing out mini flyers and magazines and what Brian is calling “Trading Cards”, all of females with nothing on or barely covered.  Oh, they are somewhat discreet with tiny stars covering up the private areas. 
They didn’t care who they handed these “cards” or"  “magazines” too, I was even handed a few of them, or rather-shoved into my hands!  Oh, we did notice, that they didn’t hand any out to the kids, but to the parents instead!  Where are the morals now a days?  
As we walked around the Casinos, you could almost pick out the girls.  They the way they were dressed, we could almost guess where they were heading.  We even seen two girls acting like they were gambling, until they started their flirting with some young adult boys that were on Spring Break from college.  We again had to walk away.
Did you know that the state of Nevada legalized prostitution, all except for the county that Las Vegas is in.  We have been told that there are numerous “Chicken” farms all around, and they ain’t raising or selling chickens, but are brothels instead!
We learned to laugh at all this, or otherwise we knew we would be saying something that maybe could get us into a bit of trouble.  So as the saying goes:  What Happens In Las Vegas, Stays In Las Vegas….Don’t worry, I never let Brian out of my site for once and I never let him keep his “Trading Cards” either!

VIVA LAS VEGAS!

 
We took our first adventure into Las Vegas Nevada. We choose to go in late afternoon and into the evening hours, for we wanted to see the many lights and a few free attractions that only went on in the evenings.
From a far distant off  Lake Mead Hwy in Henderson, Las Vegas doesn’t appear to be that big or even confusing to maybe get around in.  I kept telling Brian that I could handle getting us around in there.
Brian, on the other hand, knowing that I don’t like to drive in crazy driving conditions, came up with the idea of parking our car at Sam’s Town; which is about 10 miles from the Las Vegas Strip.  Sam’s Town does a free bus shuttle from their parking lot to two casinos on the Strip: Harrah’s and Riveria.  It will also drop you off at two spots in the downtown area of Las Vegas: California and Freemont.
So after parking our car at Sam’s Town and hitching a ride on the shuttle to Harrah’s, I’m so amazed by all the traffic and the buildings.  I would know for sure that I would have been lost in an heart beat-even with Ms. Garmin’s assistant.  If not lost, then defiantly frustrated.
Once we are dropped off in the parking garage of Harrah’s, then it’s time to figure out which direction do we go?  We decided to follow other fellow passengers through the maze of Harrah’s to the great outdoors and the beginning of what they call the “Strip”. 
As you exit out of the building, you are surrounded with many outdoor vendors all willing to sell you their goods.  Anything from Mardi Gras beads, to a mix drinks. to fast painters and cheap T-shirts.  Once out onto the Strip, the next decision is which direction to go?
Our first stop was to McDonald’s, as we were thirsty and knew we needed to quinch that thirst before moving on.  Again, we are amazed by this old stylish looking McDonald’s.  And their $1 tea was only a 12oz cup, which normally you get the gulper size at any other McDonald’s.

So now it’s time to go and wonder around.  We  headed towards the Stratosphere.  We had a handy little map that was handed to us free from the Bus Driver, along with many coupons and attractions to go and see.  So it was easy to follow the map of the Strip and find all the famous casinos and Hotels.
Along the way, we saw many casinos and motels, Wynn’s & Encore, Palazzo, Sahara just to name a few and  including Donald Trump’s.  As we headed toward the Riveria, we started to get a bit of an uneasy feeling.  tourist weren’t as many and we ran into a couple of gang bangers and some needy folks that needed a good bath, and probably a meal.  But determined as I was, we continue to march on, for I wanted to go into Circus, Circus and check out the Stratosphere.  As we kept moving on, we noticed many new buildings that appeared to be going up, but at a complete standstill due to our economy, which made the area even more eerie for us. 

we finally reached the Stratosphere, but could not go up into it, unless we wanted to pay high dollars.  We did watch from below as bungee jumpers jumped from the top and then was lowered to the ground.

So now it’s time to head to the other side of the street and head back to the main part of the strip and to Circus, Circus.  Once we got into Circus, Circus, it was liking walking in a maze and never getting to where you really wanted to go.  I wanted to head for the big top tent, and although there were signs pointing you into that direction, we literally never found the big top!  So much for that adventure.  Somehow in the process of trying to find it, we asked a lady that was sitting for directions.  She somehow started to reel us in by asking us if we would be interested in a free supper and a show.  Well, of course she got our interest, until the end.  We would have to come back into L.V. the next day, listen to a 120+ minute speel on some private resort that you paid into.  We walked away…So no free meals or shows for us this day.

by now Brian had said I have walked him to death and he needed food, drink and rest.  Me?  I’m so facinated by all the sites, I even forget about the pressure points sores on my feet!  Seems that any place you look you will find a McDonalds just about on every block.  So McDonald’s burger and fries and a resting spot won out.  It’s getting later and we need to get ourselves back into the main area where other tourist are and onto safer grounds.
As the crowd gather around the TI (Treasure Island), we watch the most fascinating 20+ minutes show that was put on by TI. 
       
The Male Ship                                           The Female Ship
The war between the two ships were just amazing, the sound & lighting effects were so “real “ feeling.  We could even feel the heat when ever they “blasted” each other.
the Volacanic eruption at the Mirage was another one that it appeared to look real with it’s sound and lighting effects.  Again, we were up close and could feel the heat and the vibration of the sound under our feet.

The Beligio puts on a very interesting water show put to music and you can watch the water dance away. 
We are now completely exhausted and have to wait for our bus to come and pick us up.  when it arrives at 9:30pm, we both were glad to aboard and head towards home.

This trip into Las Vegas calls for at least another visit or two, for we never got to the MGM, or inside Caesar's Palace, and a few other famous casinos and motels.

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