Ghost town, Old School Casino and SNOW

The big storm that flooded California this past week dropped a little rain in our neighborhood and left snow in the mountains to our west and north. 

We stopped just west of Red Rock Canyon and a friendly photographer snapped a quick picture for us.

A recent newcomer to Las Vegas, the photographer suggested we visit Little Finland and the Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve.  We will put them on our list! But Dan had other plans for our day.

We headed down to South Point, another large casino.  This one is where a lot of the rodeo folks were hanging out.  On our way there we stopped at Little Baja to buy some artwork and pots for our house. Amazing place filled with choices.  30 percent off if they didn't have to deliver your purchase for you!

I needed a potty break so we stopped at Bass Pro Outdoor World. Huge place connected to the Silverton Casino.  The Silverton has a gigantic aquarium with a mermaid.  Today Santa was there and the Mermaid was his helper.  (Kind of creepy to me.)

 

Next stop, South Point Arena & Equestrian Center.  Cowboys and horses!  We were walking through the casino and we could smell the horses! lol  

Part of South Point Casino

Lots of big trucks too!

Hundreds of horse trailers were parked in the area.

There was a roping event going on in the arena. One of many that has gone on for the past 10 days. People can wander in and out unlike the sold out events at the Thomas and Mack Center where the National Rodeo Finals were being held.

Sunday was road trip day.  Short one this time to a ghost town, only 45 miles from our house.  Believe it or not this is Las Vegas Boulevard, "The Strip" south of the city.  Not much to see.  This road runs parallel to Interstate 15 and is the original road connecting Las Vegas with Southern California.  

Las Vegas Boulevard

More snow.

Double decker train bound for California.

Before we reached the ghost town we passed through Jean.  All that appeared to be there was a prison and the Gold Strike Casino.  This is an old school casino, the first one we have been to that still uses coins!!! It was pretty empty on Sunday morning.

The ghost town of Goodsprings is 100 years old.  It is not a deserted town however.  It was kind of sad as there is an obvious lack of resources in the area.  But it was fun seeing the old buildings and imagining what it was like a hundred years ago.  The bartender in the saloon said Goodsprings use to be the go-to shopping center.  People use to come from Las Vegas to shop there. 

Love the little correction on the sign.

The Pioneer Saloon was a hoot.  Nice pot belly stove warming the place and a cowboy bartender.  He was more than happy to share the history of the area.

This is still a saloon and a band was setting up for a little afternoon entertainment.

Apparently Clark Gable waited at this bar while people searched for Carol Lombard
when her plane crashed on a nearby  mountain.

The inside of the General Store doubles as a restaurant/bar. 

We didn't eat at the Ghost Town Cafe but Dan wants to go back some night to try to see the reported ghostly existence.  The Haunted Lockdown happens a few times each month!  Haha. Cheryl ... Dan is waiting for you to visit!

Back home for an afternoon walk.  Summerlin is all decked out for the holidays. Had to end rodeo week with a Summerlin horse I saw on my walk. 

Dan has Friday off and we are heading north to investigate the Extraterrestrial Highway.  Can you say Area 51?!!! Dan has always, always wanted to go there!  (I've started designing my tinfoil hat!!!) 

Do something nice for someone this week.

It's all about the journey.

Nancy and Dan