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.
Cool ! We enjoyed your report. Thanks
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