Powerball Trip

Seriously ... the jackpot is 700 million ... we had to buy at least one chance. They don't sell Lottery tickets in Nevada so a road trip was in order. We headed southwest to Primm, Nevada.  Primm is literally on the Nevada - California border and some enterprising company put up a Lotto Store just over the line in California. This is what we saw on arrival ... All of these people are in line to buy a chance at a fortune.  The temperature is in the 40's and the wind is blowing. (I just heard the wait time was 3 hours!) We decided to head further into California.

Next stop: Baker, California.

But on the way to Baker we went through Mountain Pass.  Yup.  We had been missing the snow! ; ) It was funny seeing people pulled off the side of the road taking selfies with snowballs.

Luckily once we got over the mountain the snow was gone and the temperature was a balmy 59 degrees.

As recorded on the World's Largest Thermometer.

Aside from buying the lottery ticket Dan has wanted to stop at the Alien Jerky Store for the longest time. This place was a hoot.

And you find the strangest signs in restrooms: Umm ... Ok!

We trolled a little to find the best store selling Powerball tickets.  This looks like a likely location. No lines, no waiting.

There was an awesome mural on the side of the store.

After lunch we headed back to Las Vegas.  Interesting scenery on the way home.

Not unusual to see a mine in the distance.

There is a giant solar power field right on the Cali border.  I am not sure what the towers are for.

Yep ... People still in line in Primm.  And the drawing is not until Saturday!

One last stop on the way home at The Gold Strike Casino in Jean.  The big outside billboard (sorry Vermonters) advertised movie cars. For sure we had to stop for a quick look.

Rut ro Shaggy.  Scooby dooby do.  (The Mystery Machine)

 This vehicle was in Furious 7.

Batman!

Anyone remember Paul Walker jumping to catch the bumper of this car in Fast and Furious 7?

They were playing this little clip over and over.

Well that's all from the road today! Good luck to everyone who bought those Powerball tickets. You can't win if you don't play (responsibly)!

As always ... "It's all about the journey!"

Love Nancy and Dan

Back in the Saddle

Happy New Year from Las Vegas.  Where did December go?  Lots going on.  My brother-in-law's Auntie fell and broke her hip a few weeks ago.  After spending a week in the hospital they sent her to a rehabilitation facility for full time care and physical therapy.  Turns out the one they sent her to was literally across the street from our home at the Heights of Summerlin.  A ten minute walk from our front door.  I went to see her just about every day she was there.  We all worked hard to help keep her spirits up. I gave her a small quilt I had just finished.

Finally back home in her own chair!

Headed for Christmas Dinner.

The National Finals Rodeo was in town for a huge 10 day event.  There were cowboys and cowgirls everywhere.  Lucky Dan won tickets for opening night.  (Tickets are quite pricey and hard to come by so we were ecstatic.) We drove to the Thomas and Mack Center, paid 20 bucks to park and made our way inside. We had decent seats near the center of the arena. My heart nearly stopped a few times at how close those cowboys come to being stomped on by a bucking horse or a raging bull!  The top five finishers in each event get a pay check each night of the finals.  I liked the bull and bronc riding and the ladies barrel racing.  But I am not a fan of calf roping.  Poor babies don't stand a chance.  Her are a few images from the NFR.

The Grand Entrance

Right before Dan won the tickets to the NFR I had purchased tickets for a different 3 day rodeo event to be held at the Orleans Casino, the Boyd Gaming Chute Out.  At 20 bucks a ticket locals can afford to attend. Our seats were much closer to the action and to be honest I can't tell a lower ranked cowboy from an NFR cowboy.  (They are pretty much ranked by how much they made in the last year.)

I

n the photo below the guys were drawing the bull or bronc they would ride in the final event. I think the guy in the middle was saying, "Do you wanna trade?!"

This bull once he had dumped his rider didn't want to leave the spotlight! 

Oh my poor back!!!

 Hey Grey's Anatomy fans ... the Chief was in the house.  James Pickens Jr. (Dr. Richard Webber) was taking in all the action. Sorry it is blurry he was across the arena from us.

One morning Dan and I took a ride down to the convention center to check out "all things cowboy". They was an event where little boys were riding bulls.  Granted, they were small bulls but oh my goodness!!! The first picture is a little blury but you can see how young and little these baby cowboys were!

This one was hard to watch.  Somebody help him, please!

This little guy hung on for dear life as his bull bucked and sprinted the full length of the arena. Those clowns had to work hard to catch up and rescue the boy! (I am pretty sure as a Mom I would have to be drugged and locked up before I would let my baby get on a bull!!!)

I can't imagine.

I have a few more adventures to share so check back soon.

It's all about the journey.

Nancy and Dan