Sunday started out super early with super cranky TSA agents to deal with. Both Tiana and I required a "female assist" even though we didn't beep the x-ray machine. I'm thinking it is because we had long skirts on (both were about to the floor) and they had to make sure we weren't hiding anything. She was mortified! Our morning didn't improve much until we left the Vegas rental car terminal. We went to Meeting and got to enjoy fellowship there with some people we haven't seen in about 8 years. From there we went straight to In-N-Out for burgers and then on to Hoover Dam. Talk about cool! Well, not really! It was HOT, but the dam was pretty neat! We even took a quick foray into Arizona across the top of the dam. That evening we made it back to our hotel on the Las Vegas Strip. Talk about overwhelming to the senses!! Lights, beer, margaritas, sex -EVERYWHERE!! You know it's there, but until you experience it, you just can't fully comprehend it! The check-in line was amazing - 45 minutes or so. We wandered around a bit that night, but the heat and the early morning had us done in! We did see the Bellagio fountain show. Pretty cool!
Photos of Day One
Monday we met up with some long-ago friends from Montana. It was so fun to see the kids after so many years. Sam and Tiana had been the best of friends in Kindergarten. After they left us we just spent time on the Strip, went to the Coca-Cola store where we tried some colas from around the world. I'll stick to Coke or Pepsi, thanks!! There was one cola that just about made me gag! We also went to M&M world, Kent and Tiana visited the CSI:Las Vegas museum and then we just continued to check out various aspects of the Strip.
Photos of Day Two
Ah, Tuesday! What an amazing day! We started out with a Carl's Jr. breakfast and Starbucks Coffee. We were headed from Las Vegas on a roadtrip to Goldfield when, after many photos of desert scenery, we spotted ruins a ways off of the road. We went to check them out. We asked later if anyone knew what they were, but they didn't know. *update!* After posting, Kent and I went on the search for info about those ruins. Seems to be they are the Elizalde Cement Company. We were pointed, though, to Rhyolite which turned out to be an absolute gem of a find! We spent probably close to an hour just poking around the site of this once bustling town. We kept our eyes and ears attuned to rattlesnakes, but alas, we didn't see or hear a-one! At this point we realize we are a mere 4 miles from Death Valley and California, so we HAD to cross over that border! I really would like to go through Death Valley some day. We found one road that will take you in but it requires a 4x4 so Kent is thinking a road trip might be in order! I could deal with that! We eventually made Goldfield, but by that point we were hot and tired so we just stuck close to the main streets and took Tiana's 15 year photos. I could go back and spend more time! I'd even do all I could to beg for a tour of some of the properties! Like INSIDE!! We got back to Vegas, regrouped and went out to catch a couple of nighttime-only free shows. The Mirage volcano and the Treasure Island pirate drama. We also took a walk through the Venetian.
Photos of Day Three
Pack up Wednesday. Still so much to see and time is very limited! We went back to the Venetian for a little bit, did some last-minute t-shirt/souvenir purchasing, walked through Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum and of course got one last In-N-Out burger! FINALLY! on the way out of town I found the famous Welcome to Las Vegas sign. I had looked for it, even finally on Wednesday found it labeled on the map! Anyway, I was able to get a picture of it through the back window of our rental Hyundai! Go figure! Anyway, I think we can cross Las Vegas off of our list. We did enjoy our time. It is overwhelming, sometimes nauseating, stifling, but at the same time there is an element of fun! Kent enjoyed the buffets. They weren't bad, I'll admit! Definitely not your run-of-the-mill Royal Fork/Old Country Buffets!
7 comments:
We enjoyed going on your vacation with you. You did a fantastic job on Tiana's pictures!
Loved your pictures...most of it looked like home, the desert! Sorry we didn't get to see you or even know you were gonna be there! I guess we aren't on your radar anymore. Looks like you had a great time and yes, those pictures of Tiana are fantastic...you did a great job. Come to Havasu and take Daniel & Malia's graduation pictures this fall! Can't find anyone here...probably have to go to JC Penney's! Borrrrrrriiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnng!!!! ha ha
Enjoyed your photos!
Looks and sounds like your trip was a great success, after the airport hassle on Sunday! (Whoa, you must have been there sooo early!) I have never had problems with wearing a skirt through security, but I will keep that in mind next time I fly. (Maybe you can get by okay if your skirt is more like mid-calf length rather than ankle...?)
One time a few years ago at the airport in Phoenix, poor Caroline really had a problem. She forgot that she had coins in her pocket, so she set off the metal detector. Then she tried to go through a second time, and again set it off (this time it was her belt--I didn't even know that stuff on it was real metal!). So that meant she had to...you know.... She was embarrassed to tears! :( Fortunately, she's gotten a lot smarter, because she flew to Phoenix all by herself this summer with no complications (none that she mentioned, anyway!).
Hot hot hot! I know you were. Should have stayed in a casino and gambled. lol They searched you because you looked like a hot little firecracker. I bet you had some kind words to say. I can't picture you being speechless.
Just looked at the photos. Tianna cracked me up. All that posing. Relaxing in the presidents chair and talking on his red phone (a hot line). Looks like she had a good time.
i looked thru every single picture=) enjoyed them too- looks like 'home' - mom & dad's anyway=) no place like vegas eh? =) those towns that have been abandoned- wow- awesome pix. brave to travel at this hot time of year- yikes!
Enjoyed your pictures Melisa.Looks like a very special experience.
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