A Little bit more about Vegas

Posted on March 29, 2014March 29, 2014 by Dusty Roads

You know how I mentioned that once you pick a destination it seems that’s all you hear about? Well as predicted I’m tripping over Tennessee but also Las Vegas. Facebook is a wonderful thing for keeping up with people and what did I see today? A post from a friend from the Bellagio. He’s in Vegas now and posted pictures of the floral arrangements in the lobby.

I asked if he was staying there and he said no, at the Flamingo! So of course I mentioned the Wildlife Habitat. I hope he stops in there and posts some comments or pictures.

Speaking of Vegas I think we’re coming to the end of the Free list. One last Free attraction that I found is the Volcano at the Mirage, nightly shows from 7 – 11 pm, all free.

I hope we have time to take an break from the fire shows and lights and get outside the city. Believe it or not, Las Vegas is within a few hours drive of some of the most uniquely beautiful state and national parks in the United States.

Nevada’s Great Basin National Park lies near Las Vegas. It includes the limestone Lehman Caves, the Wheeler Peak glacier, and Lexington Arch, a natural limestone arch more than six stories tall.

Valley of Fire is Nevada’s oldest and largest state park, dedicated in 1935. Ancient trees and early man are represented throughout the park by areas of petrified wood and 3,000 year-old Indian petroglyphs.

A National Historic Landmark, Hoover Dam is the highest concrete dam in the Western Hemisphere, standing at more than 725 feet above the Colorado River. Attracting more than a million visitors a year, Hoover Dam is located in Black Canyon, just minutes outside of Las Vegas.

There are several animal and bird sanctuaries and Desert National Wildlife Range. My reading about Desert National Wildlife Range or Desert NWR make me think this might be a good place to skip on this trip. It sounds rugged and many of the roads can become unpassable or require 4 wheel drive. But if we get bored there’s always the Grand Canyon. There are a number of tours to the Grand Canyon that depart from Las Vegas and even though I’ve seen it twice it would still be worth another visit.

I think it’s going to be a great trip.

More Free Stuff in Vegas

Posted on March 28, 2014March 28, 2014 by Dusty Roads

More free stuff kept coming up as I roved the world wide web. The Sirens of TI, a Pyrotechnics extravaganza on a Pirate Ship sounded like an exciting if, borderline X rated show but the latest updates indicate that the show has been canceled, apparently quite suddenly.

M & M’s World is touted as Free and might be kind of cool to see . Looks like there’s be ton of places for photo ops still I got the impression it was really a huge M & M themed gift shop kind of like a Disney store for chocoholics.

But then a entry for wildlife caught my eye. Called Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo it includes Flamingos of course.

Touted as one of the most unique and beloved attractions in Las Vegas, Flamingo’s Wildlife Habitat is a serene paradise. It is conveniently free of charge and open to the public daily. Nestled on the Flamingo hotel’s lush 15-acre grounds, the Habitat is stocked with exotic birds, fish and turtles.

A highlight is the Flamingo Island, home to a huge flock of Chilean flamingos. A colorful collection of other feathered friends such as Ring Tealed ducks and Sacred Ibis fascinate guests and populate the Habitat. In addition to our namesake, you’ll find swans, ducks, koi fish and turtles living at the Habitat. Two brown pelicans joined us from a pelican rescue in 2012.

All animals are carefully maintained. The species frolic on islands and streams surrounded by sparkling waterfalls and foliage. Spot hummingbirds zipping to their feeders, snap a few pictures of signature flamingos and watch the water animals at feeding time.

That sounds like my kind of experience.

Sibling Rivalry in Vegas?

Posted on March 27, 2014March 27, 2014 by Dusty Roads

I’m still exploring Free things to do in Vegas. I’m pretty sure our budget will be tight so I figure we should do the Free things first and save our money incase we run out of Free things to do.

The Forum Shops at Caesars sounds like a place to go shopping so I was just going to skip right over that. I’m not much of a shopper as anyone who has ever looked in my closet can attest. As my waistline has expanded and my need for business attire has diminished my wardrobe has shrunk accordingly. Jeans, sweats and T’s are my wardrobe du jour. But then my curiosity got the better if me. What did it mean by “Fall of Atlantis” at Caesars Forum Shops?

A little more google and voila! I have answers! 🙂

This was the best description:

Fall of Atlantis at Caesars Forum Shops Description:

The Atlantis Shows inside the Forum Shops is sibling rivalry at its fiercest. Sure, you may have once fought over toys, food or even listened in on each other’s phone calls with your own brother or sister, but this feud is like no other.

Roaring fires. Splashing waters. Thunderous sounds. A huge, horrific beast. These all come into play in the free 11-minute show. Get your video camera ready for the dramatic, mind-blowing special effects, neon lights and the surrounding fountains. For a second, you’ll forget you’re in a mall.

Witness the fall of Atlantis reenacted by 9-foot-tall lifelike animatronic statues (and a scary 20-foot winged dragon) costumed in armor and leather by the legendary Hollywood blacksmith company Sword & Stone.

The tale begins with King Atlas deciding whether his son or daughter should take over in ruling Atlantis. Greed and haughtiness get the best of the two as they brag about how one’s ability is better than the other. The sister waves her staff and shows off her water power. On the flip side, the brother waves his torch and bursts of flames erupt all around him. The warmth of the heat is shockingly strong. You can also feel the sound waves.

The family learns the ultimate lesson — let’s just say it doesn’t result in a “time-out.” The decision falls out of the father’s hands and the other gods show their wrath with the Fall of Atlantis. A terrifying beast with wings appears from behind Atlas’ throne and watches the destruction of Atlantis. The ferocious flames and wild water effects prove that these guys are serious.

Be sure to get to the show a few minutes early to grab a good spot since it tends to fill up fast. You’ll find it next to Nike and the Cheesecake Factory.

Before or after the show, make sure to check out the 50,000-gallon saltwater aquarium behind the Fall of Atlantis. The breathtaking aquarium features more than 300 fish. You can walk right up to the glass and snap amazing shots of stingrays, flounders, tropical puffers and other fish you’d see in Disney’s “Finding Nemo.” Another plus? There are plenty of places to sit around the aquarium. Lose track of time while you watch in awe.

Sounds like another “Not to Miss” experience!

What’s New in Vegas

Posted on March 25, 2014March 25, 2014 by Dusty Roads

Like I said yesterday, I haven’t been to Vegas in a long time so I thought I’d poke around some of the web pages and see what’s been happening and what we might want to see.

First of all, I looked for FREE things to do. Free is always good! XD

I don’t believe the Silverton Hotel was there when I last visited. Certainly the Aquarium wasn’t. I wonder if this is one of the ATM Aquariums from the Animal Planet Show Tanked. ATM is based in Las Vegas and they installed a huge aquarium where they do a mermaid show.

And guess what! There’s a mermaid show at the Silverton Hotel’s Aquarium. We will just have to check that out! I have seen a mermaid show before in Florida at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park.

I think I need to compare the shows.

A little more poking around and sure enough, this Aquarium is the ATM aquarium featured in the Tanked series! The review I found was written by a big Fan of the show and she gave the aquarium rave reviews. and included pictures!. Now it’s definitely a must see…cameras at ready.

Up next in the Free department is the Bellagio Conservatory. The Bellagio was under construction when I was in Vegas last for more than a change of planes and that was back in 1998. I told you it had been awhile. Anyway, this looks amazing.

The exhibit in the conservatory changes according to the season. They even have live musical performances daily. I bet this would be even more amazing during the holidays!

Of course while we’re visiting the Bellagio we have to see the dancing fountains. That was actually what I thought the Bellagio was known for, not the Conservatory. The Bellagio fountains were designed to “romance” the senses.

In a show of water , music and light the fountains strive to mesmerize the views. This is the most ambitious, choreographically complex water feature ever conceived and it amazes against the beautiful backdrop of Las Vegas’ lavender sky. (My tripod is going on this trip for sure!)

So far in my quest for FREE entertainment I think I’ve found 3 amazing options. But I’m not through digging. Let’s see what more I can find.

What Happens In Vegas…

Posted on March 24, 2014March 24, 2014 by Dusty Roads

Stays in Vegas or so the saying goes. Las Vegas is not a feature destination in my mind. I’ve been there several times. You walk the strip. You oooh and ahhh at the casinos and massive hotels, you eat too much, enjoy a show and gamble. Well, I don’t gamble but most visitors to Las Vegas do.

Anyway if you don’t gamble once the sight seeing is done it’s pretty boring, at least it was for me. But I haven’t been there in a number of years and I’m sure it’s changed a lot.

One of the perks of timeshare ownership is you get put on many, many vacation destination lists. You get calls from vacation clubs, other time share resorts, and cruise lines all making a pitch for your vacation dollar and some of the incentives are pretty sweet. Most of the time I say no but once in a while one comes along at the right time.

That happened just this month. I was wracking my brain for a suitable gift for a longtime friend that just hit the big 5-0. Yes , he’s taking it hard. When he turned 40 several of us took him on a cruise to Nassau, Bahamas.

This time I was the only one trying to come up with a memorable gift. It was in the middle of those musings that my phone rang. A vacation/ travel pitch.

When the agent said Las Vegas my first response was to say no, not interested but ‘Iris” asked me to just listen as it was a good deal. Well, I’m not going to tell you how much it was because my friend might be reading this and it’s tacky to leave a price tag on a gift. But let’s just say that even on my limited budget it was very affordable. In fact it will probably cost more for the plane fare.

So my friend received a 4 day and 3 night stay in Las Vegas. The trip includes a dinner for 2 (me and him) 2 show tickets and $100 for slot play (He can have that). The only thing is he has to go with me. I can’t just give it to him to take anyone. We have 24 months to use it. (That’s so we can save up the plane fare- just joking)

I’m not sure when we’re going to go. We haven’t talked about it too much except that he said he’s never been to Vegas but I’m going to start looking into some of the more unusual things to do..like maybe Hoover Dam, a visit to the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop (from the TV show Pawn Stars) or a drive to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. It is his gift so I suppose he’ll have a say in what we do too. 😉