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

Parrots and Cowboys

On Sunday we visited the Springs Preserve. (Think desert version of ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center in Burlington, VT.) Just nine miles from home we decided to get a membership. They feature ever changing exhibits, the Nevada Museum, botanical gardens, classes and walking trails.  They even have a train.  Through the month of March the Preserve has performances by Clint Carvalho and his Extreme Parrots.  Clint does a show on the Strip but the one at the Preserve is free with admission on the weekend.  He gave a lot of great information about the parrots and macaws.  ALL of the birds are rescue birds.  He has over 200!  He told us that only about 1 percent can be trained for his show. The rest are freeloaders. His birds seem to love him.  Their wings are not clipped.  They could leave if they wanted too!

This guy loves his job and his birds.

Everyone got to touch this bird which he has only had for about 8 weeks.

Clint was looking for a lot of audience participation and enthusiasm.  A prize would be given.  Guess who the winner was?

We loved the flying demonstration that ended the show.  

The Springs Preserve was a great place to spend the morning.  Lots of things to see.  We only saw a portion.  One of the interactive exhibits is of a flash flood. Pretty impressive and a reminder of the power of water.

We had a great time with Jordan.  One of the things he did with Mom before he left was a 6 mile hike at Red Rock Canyon.  Lots to see. More rock climbers, petroglyphs, steep cliffs and other hikers. It was not nearly as busy as our first trip though. 

Plenty of cowboys are in town for the National Rodeo Finals.  It's a pretty big deal. They have been holding this event in Vegas for 30 years with a new contract for another 10. We wanted to go to the actual rodeo but the tickets were outrageous and hard to obtain.  We have been watching it on TV and when we hear how much the winners and runners up get every night we know why the tickets are so pricey!  I had no idea there was such big money in rodeo.  (For riding a bull for 8 seconds and looking good while doing it the winner gets $19,002. Same goes for the barrel racing women. Glad to see equity here.) The rodeo goes on for 10 nights with winners in each category each night. NOt sure how much the overall winners get!!!

While we couldn't go to the rodeo we did stop by the Las Vegas convention center.  Huge place with hundreds of vendors.  Everything cowboy: hats, boots, shirts and saddles.  There was free entertainment. We "set a spell" and watched the Casey Donahew Band.

But the best event of the day was the Wild Pony Riding.  I nearly had a heart-attack! The way it works is a team of three young cowboys or cowgirls grabs on to a rope with a wild pony on the end and then one of the team members has to get on the pony.  Must be seen to be believed!!! They all got up and walked away!  Two teams were successful! Crazy sport!

More painting in the house happened this week. The entryway and the kitchen are now finished.  One hall and one bathroom to go. And someday maybe, Dan's office!

Watched a police helicopter hover in place for quite a while this morning just a block or two away from our house.  I have no idea what they were looking at/for, we didn't hear any sirens. lol.

Christmas is coming I'd better get started on my shopping soon!  We did get a cute little tree. Avoiding a real tree as they are quite a fire hazard here in the desert!

Stay well everyone.  And stay warm!

It's all about the journey.

Nancy and Dan

Thanksgiving Adventures

Calico Basin

We were very thankful this Thanksgiving to have our son, Jordan, visit for a few days.  What a great time we had.

Calico Basin is just five miles up the road from our house.  There is a wooden walkway that winds up to Red Spring.  It was a very popular destination.  A lot of people were there for photo shoots. We saw family shots, wedding photos and senior pictures being taken. Nice setting.

The walkway led us to several large rocks with petroglyphs. I wish I could read them.

Jordan and I hiked up a trail and grabbed a few more photos.

After we left Calico Basin we headed to Red Rock Canyon. Along with everyone else apparently!
We have never seen it so busy.

Line to get in !

 People parked wherever they could as the parking areas were overflowing.

We pulled over for a few minutes to watch some rock climbers. I almost had a heart attack because as I watched through my telephoto lens I saw a climber lose his grip and fall about 8 or 10 feet. Luckily he was wearing a harness. 

I was watching the guy in the far right lighter colored crevice. 

Where he was just before the drop.

How far he dropped. 

Fingers slipping!

Tired arms.

I'm pretty sure I would not make a good climber!

A visit to Hoover Dam was a must for Jordan with his degree in engineering.

On this trip we took the power plant tour. Long ride down in an elevator.

Turbines.

We were in a room at the base of the dam!

We also walked all the way across the Mike O'Callaghan - Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge.

On Sunday we headed to a date farm in California.  That was an interesting ride. Head to Pahrump but hang a left toward Tecopa. Drive straight for 30 some-odd miles.

Hang another left.  

Yup. Dirt road.

Hummm...

Similar to Smugler's Notch!

Yay. We found it.

Oasis - China Ranch

Dates almost ready for harvest being protected from birds I think. 

Surrounded by desert!

A little night life on Fremont Street and the Strip

Inside Planet Hollywood (or maybe behind it) are the Miracle Mile Shops.  They have an area where once each hour there is a thunderstorm and rain, inside the building! 

After the rain.

My bearded family members took advantage of this offer.

Never far away.

Paris, anyone?

This tree is ginormous!

Not sure what this store was all about, but love those old machines.

Holiday trees in Crystals.

Frozen in time.

Totally wish we could keep him here but he is headed to Vermont on Tuesday. It was great having him with us for a few days.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.  We are looking forward to lots of Christmas/holiday related trips. Nascar drivers will be in town soon as well as the national rodeo.  

It's all about the journey. 

Love to all.  Nancy and Dan