But It's a Dry Heat :)

Dry or not, 111* is H-O-T.  Kind of like sitting in an oven hot.  My son says when the hot wind is blowing, they call that the "hair dryer effect".

Long post here . . . but I must catch up before heading to August adventure #2 early tomorrow.

I have to tell you about my TSA experience.  I randomly got the TSA pre-check, but knew my carry on would be flagged.  I wrap the pumpkin rolls in aluminum foil, and they always pull the bag aside.

TSA:  I need a bag check.
Me:  There are pumpkin rolls in there.
TSA:  I need to check them.
Me:  OK.
TSA:  Do you always travel with pumpkin rolls?
Me:  Only when I am visiting my son :)

I had a wonderful visit.  It was so nice to spend a few days with him, hot or not.  Our first little adventure was to Goodsprings, home to the Pioneer Saloon.  

The oldest drinking establishment in Southern Nevada has been operating since 1913.  Disclaimer:  Card sharks are shot on site.  Horse thieves are hung out back.  Street girls bringing cowboys into the saloon must pay for the room in advance . . . lol :)

Old tin walls are original with bullet holes where in 1915 a card shark was shot to death for cheating at cards, ruled a justifiable homicide.  One room is dedicated to Clark Gable and Carole Lombard.  The area is near where Carole died in a plane crash in 1942.  Clark sat at the bar for several days burning holes into the bar top waiting news of his wife's fate. 

On our way back to the city, we stopped at Seven Magic Mountains.  I'm sorry.  I thought it was butt ugly and the darn thing cost $3.5 MILLION.  How is that even possible?

I prefer these cairns and I'm sure they didn't cost a dime :)

That evening we headed to the Strip.  He wanted to show me a couple of the big projects he had worked on when he first moved to Las Vegas and of course I wanted to stop in the Bellagio to see the Chihuly glass flowers and to catch the fountain show.

Fremont Street.  What can you say?  I love going down there to watch the street performers and to see the overhead light show.  Never a dull moment down there.  Unfortunately I just took videos of the performers and I can't seem to get a video to load, but I was able to get a few screenshots.

Some things you just can't unsee :(

This Michael Jackson impersonator must have been only 6 or 7 years old, but he was phenomenal.

The last day there, we decided to head out to Mt. Charleston, not far from the city.  It's hard to believe the temperatures at the higher elevations are about 30* cooler than in Las Vegas. We were going to hike a little near Mary Jane Falls.   We were not planning to go to the falls since Bill thought there would be no water flowing, but a few hikers said that their indeed was some and it was worth the hike.  The trail travels for 1/4 mile through tall Ponderosa pines, white fir, aspen and mountain mahogany.  The next 1/3 mile is a slow ascent after which the trail begins a series of switchbacks and rock steps to the base of the falls.  Let me tell you, it was over a 1.5 mile hike to the top and a tough climb for this old broad, but I did it :)  DON'T LET THE OLD LADY IN.

Hard to believe there is still some snow on the mountains.

Bill said he had to take a picture of me with the falls in the background to prove that I was not a wuss :)

Wild columbine?

Kids!  When my back was turned, Bill scaled up here giving his mom near heart failure when I saw him up there.

Coming down.

My grandkitty, Snowball.  She's not fat, she's fluffy.

Bill chose sushi for his birthday dinner.  (I still can't believe he will be 40 tomorrow.)  A first for me, and also the first time I attempted chopsticks.  The sushi was pretty good and I managed to eat without dropping more than a few grains of rice.

It's always hard to say goodbye but he is where he wants to be and what more could a mom ask for than a child's happiness?

If you've made it this far, thank you.
Pug hugs :)
Lauren