Sunday, July 31, 2016

Final Blog

Bryce Canyon - Natural Bridge

Hi All,

It's hard to believe we have been Las Vegans for two whole exciting years. We have settled in and moved on. So this will be my final blog entry for Moving On Vegas Style. 

Most of you know Dan was just in Vermont for two weeks for work and visiting family and friends. He had a great visit.  There were many Dan sightings.  He almost needed his own "Find Dan" app.

Brother Kevin
Brother Donny
Mom - Theresa
Cousin Tammy
Aunt Jane
Brother from another Mother - Dave
New friend Jack, Dave's son

Co-worker - Tracy

Special friend - Doris
While Dan was out of town I entertained myself by visiting the local casino which is part of a group of casinos called Station Casinos celebrating 40 years in Las Vegas. 

$86.51 was profit!
I also went on a road trip with three of my hiking friends, Vicki, Mary and Val.  We had a blast visiting Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah.


Our main purpose for visiting Zion was to hike The Narrows. Zion is a canyon that you can easily enter at the base (as opposed to looking down into the canyon like at the Grand Canyon).  Zion was carved by the Virgin River. As you travel into Zion on the shuttle bus the Virgin River is visible to your left.  At the end of the shuttle ride be prepared for a scenic one mile hike to the entrance of The Narrows.  Before you head into The Narrows be sure you have on water shoes, grab some water, rent a sturdy walking stick and waterproof your Iphone! And double check that the chance of rain is almost ZERO. Your do not want to enter the narrows if there is even a chance of flash flooding. Pretty much you are walking in a river with steep walls on both sides.  No place to go if the river floods.




Vicki, Mary and Val
It was a spectacular trip.  The water was about 65 degrees and the air temperature was in the 90's.  We hiked for a couple of miles, soaked in a pool for a few minutes and then headed back. There were many visitors from all over the world splashing and enjoying The Narrows.

We grabbed lunch at the Zion Canyon Brew Pub when we left Zion.  The pub was literally just outside the Zion entrance and I am pretty sure they direct their exhaust fans in that direction.  The smell was heavenly and we followed our noses.  Bacon cheddar burgers hit the spot!

Our next stop was at the Canyon Ranch Motel.  A quaint old-time motel with cute cabins. Too bad they won't be there much longer, the woman who signed us in said the property had just been sold to Best Western!  We spent the rest of the afternoon and evening hanging out at the pool, snacking and gabbing. 

Breakfast the next morning was at Wildcat Willies Ranch Grill and Saloon.  Good food.


Then we were off to Bryce Canyon National Park, about an hour and a half from Zion.




On our way we passed through Red Canyon in the Dixie National Forest.




Finally we got to the 18 mile one way scenic highway through Bryce Canyon.  Breathtaking!  Our daughter always says Bryce is her favorite national park.  Now I know why!!!! Bryce canyon is about 4 hours from Las Vegas. Totally worth the trip!












Lunch was in the little western town, Panguitch at Coyboy's Smokehouse. Pretty rustic.  Good chili.


Heading back into the city we noticed the thermometer in the car was registering 117! Yikes.  We have had some hot weather the past couple of weeks. Anything over 110 is in the heat warning range!!! Crazy south westerners!

We did a couple of fun things in July before Dan headed to Vermont.  We headed up to Pioche for a Star meeting.  We had to visit the Court House for a quick stint on the jury. 


I am still helping out with the torts a few times a month at Red Rock Canyon.  Maxine was enjoying green beans with a little help form her friend. The vet suggested we make the torts work a little harder for their treats hence the pvc tower.


 Lucky Dan won some tickets to see the Dixie Chicks at the T Mobile Arena.  This is a state-of-the-art new stadium.  It was our first visit. (Carrie will be there in November.), as well as a brand new NHL hockey team next year!


We had pretty good seats. 

Just loved this lower tech part of the show.  The Dixie Chicks are amazing musicians. Awesome show.


So we are settled and doing well in Las Vegas.  We love the southwest and all it has to offer.  Dan even likes the heat because it is rarely humid. The occasional rain storm is always enjoyed.

Sun shower!
Thanks to all who read and commented on the blog.  It was great fun sharing our adventures.  I might be working on a new travel blog that focuses on exploring the desert southwest.  Still in the planning stages. Stay tuned.

It's all about the journey.

Love to all!

Nancy and Dan



Thursday, June 9, 2016

Still Lots to See


Most of these photos are from my I-phone in April and May. We spent a lot of time outside walking in our neighborhood and hiking. Not far from our home is a area called Queens Ridge.  There are high-end homes, two housing towers and a golf course. There are several of these arches at various locations around the property.


Why make a straight sidewalk when curves will do.


These are the luxury Queens Ridge Towers.  We use them as landmarks because they are very visible from all directions, day or night. Snoop Dog had or has a home here near or at the top.


On our walk we also pass near Tivoli Villege.  This is a shopping center ... Las Vegas style.  It houses shops, restaurants and businesses.

Dan walks almost everyday when it is not too hot.  He likes to show me the golf balls he finds.  His route takes him past several golf courses! Must be a lot of slicing going on. FOUR!!!! I often wonder if he is walking ON the golf course!!! ; )
This was one day's collection!

We attended a performance of My Fair Lady at the Summerlin Library and Performing Arts Center.  Located just 2.5 miles from home. This is a sweet little theater! Great show! This view is from the back row. Not a bad seat in the house!


The Library is located in the center of this circle.  Not hard to find the library but the rest of the businesses find it a challenge to give easy directions to their offices.


The City of Las Vegas sponsored a Blue Grass Festival in early April  We got there ready to enjoy a full docket of entertainers only to have the event cancelled due to bad storms in the area.  A very rare situation. The first (and only) band got to play 3 and a half songs!

There were actual puddles in our backyard! (I do miss the sound of rain.)


In April I hosted the book club.  We read "The Girl in the Spider's Web". I made delicious Swedish meatballs and Thumbprint Swedish cookies with Lingonberry jam. Easy recipes.



We discovered this stone spiral during a hike at Calico Basin. What a lot of work for someone!

Dan had to walk out of the spiral.

The kitties are happy it has warmed up.  Taigo is on lizard/snake duty.

I'd be up on a rock too!!!


Sage is content as a cabana girl!

We had a great time when my sister, Marj and brother-in-law, Bruce, visited for a few days. We did some hiking and meals out.


A bit of rock climbing was in order. (Not!)

Bruce has mad climbing skills!!!

We have been collecting bears for the local school police to use with kids in traumatic situations.  Taigo will miss them when we make the delivery! 



Our Eastern Star friend Patty invited us to go to California with her to attend a meeting.  The Grand Officers dress up in a big way! Hooped skirts are not unusual on this side of the country.


The newcomers club I belong to organized a horseback riding adventure at Bonnie Springs. We had a great time. The horses were gentle and the scenery was spectacular. A cowboy lead the way and told stories about the area.




Love this weather vane we saw at the China Ranch date farm.  Our date supply was getting low so we took a little road trip one Sunday morning. It's all about the journey!


A return trip to the Big Bend of the Colorado state park for a photo op took place on a very, very windy day.  (Make sure you see Dan's photo from the same location a year ago. http://movingonvegasstyle.blogspot.com/2015/05/sunday-drive.html)  So proud of him!


Time for a late lunch in Bullhead City, Arizona. 


 I always look where I am going while we are walking.  I'm not sure if I have ever seen a more perfect heart shaped rock. This was in Hualapai Canyon.  (We were looking for golf balls!!!)


My first needle point project is almost complete. Some more top stitching and then to the framers.

We were treated to the full moon rising at my first visit to the Bullring this season.  It was very windy and pretty cold so we left before the main event.   

The tortoises are active again.  I helped give them a soak.  Here are a few of them all nice and dust free! 



More adventures coming soon. Beauty and the Beast at an outdoor performance next week.  I also scored tickets to see a taping of American Ninja Warrior - stages 2, 3 and 4.  Hoping to see someone get to the top of Mount Midoriyama.

It's All About the Journey

Love, Nancy and Dan