The Bellagio . . . and more ~

A trip to Las Vegas would not be complete for me without a stop at the Bellagio on the Strip.  I am always mesmerized by the Chihuly glass hanging above the lobby.

The Conservatory and Botanical Gardens are just off the lobby.  They change the display several times a year.  The theme while I was there was the Lunar New Year.

The flowers are gorgeous.  They have 120 gardeners on staff!!!

Here is my #1 bad boy Bill.

The fountain, set to music, is incredible.  Since my videos are too large, I hope this link will work.  

We went to see a magician named Shin Lim at the Mirage.  I had never heard of him, but my son had seen him when he won America's Got Talent.  He is the only person who has won it twice.  It was pretty amazing what he could do with cards.

That pretty much sums up the highlights of my trip.  The best part was spending a few days with my son.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs 😊

Lauren

Sin City ~

 

I had hoped to do a quick post about my trip yesterday, but my iPhone was not playing nice with my desktop and would not let me download pictures.  My trip was quick but most enjoyable!  The plane was packed heading to and from and on Spirit there was no social distancing.  Masks were mandatory and it was stressed that the nose and mouth must be covered.  There is nothing glamorous about flying.  Spirit is definitely not the most comfortable way to fly, but for the money, it is worth being uncomfortable for a few hours 😆

We packed a lot in to two days.  We visited Nelson, also known as Eldorado Canyon. It is the oldest, richest and most famous former gold mine in southern Nevada that is open for guided tours.  We did not take the tour, but had an enjoyable time walking amongst the relics strewn about the grounds.

A not-so-nice cactus that you don't want to mess with.

O-U-C-H!!!

A prop from the movie, 3000 Miles to Graceland.  Part of it was filmed here.

WTH???

From Nelson, we took a short drive to Boulder City, home to Hoover Dam.  I've seen the dam, so we just went to a few antique shops in town.  I'm not sure there were any antiques in the shops😝  These figures were in front of one of them.

My trip to Las Vegas would not be complete without a trip to Fremont Street.  I will usually leave a few dollars at the casinos, but this year chose not to . . . lol.    

Here is the light canopy over Fremont Street.

And one of the street performers.  What some people will do for money 😁

I absolutely love watching the fountain in front of the Bellagio on the Strip.  Each half hour is a different show set to different music.

I always have to go inside the lobby of the Bellagio to see the Chihuly glass flowers.

In the conservatory.  We did not go through it as the line was incredibly long, due to "you know what"!

This street performer was amazing.  The strength this man displayed was incredible.  Here is the start of a balancing act ON A WHISKEY BOTTLE!!!  Ouch.  My son guesses he is laid off from one of the shows.

Here he is spinning.  Another time he was spinning about as fast as an ice skater can spin.  Incredible.

Son Bill and my new grandkitty Marge.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs 😊

Lauren

The Rest of the Trip ~

 

Day 3 of our trip started in California's Mojave Desert.  Our first stop was the China Ranch date palm farm.  This place is in the middle of nowhere, down a couple miles of a one lane dirt road.  Though my son had been there before, I didn't think anyone else could possibly find it.  Upon entering the store, a guy asked if we were with the other folks from Ohio.  (His clue that we were Buckeyes was the Browns' shirts both the boys were wearing.)  Can you believe there was another couple in the store from Ohio ~ and they live in a town about 15 miles from me???  It really is a small world.

 

 

From the date farm, we headed to an abandoned mine.  My son's passion is exploring mines.  He often will rappel down hundreds of feet to the bottom of a mine shaft.  Thankfully the War Eagle mine in Tecopa, California, has tunnels to explore without having to climb up or down.

 

The darkness of the mine was something I've never experienced before.  And quiet.  Nothing other than the sounds of us walking through.  Eerily quiet.

 

At one point, we did go down to the next level (at Jake's request) but came right back up.  It was a long way down but seemed even longer on the ascent!

 

Based on my Fitbit step count, we walked about 3 miles in the mine.

 

Day 4 took us to Red Rock Canyon, a short drive from Las Vegas.  Got to use my senior national park pass for the first time :)   

 

I was unable to capture the beauty of the rocks.

 

 

Next up was another trip to the Strip.  For an unknown reason, some of my pictures from the Bellagio just vanished.  POOF.  Gone from both my iPhone and iPad.  I just don't get it . . . sigh.  Here is one of the fountains in the lobby.

 

Can you believe?

 

Waiting for the fountain show to begin.  That is the Bellagio in the background.

The show was very disappointing.  We think they did not have the regular show because it was so windy.  The water did not shoot up high at all :(

The stall doors in the ladies' room at Caesar's Palace.

 

The Golden Knights are Las Vegas' new professional hockey team.  The team was just assembled a few months ago and they made it to the finals.  They did not win, but what an accomplishment.  People ~ and statues ~ are crazy for them.

 

Day 5 ~ The last thing we did on vacation, was a zipline down Fremont Street.  You exit the building to start your ride where those four square things are near the top.

 

Hanging around waiting your turn.

And you are off.  It was overpriced but fun.  I'm guessing the ride lasted about a minute.  Not nearly as scary as I thought it would be.  Jake (and my son) loved it and that's all that mattered :)

Thanks so much for letting me share my vacation with you.  My readers are the best and to show my appreciation, I'm having a little give away.  Just in time for the 4th of July, this flag measures only 5" x 6 3/4".  As always . . . the only rule is leave a comment on this post or send me an email with give-away in the subject line.  The winner must contact me within 3 days.  (Please no sharing on any social media.)  I will choose a winner Wednesday eve.

 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren