Day 61–Las Vegas Nevada, Duck Creek CG, Touring Las Vegas Strip

It is hard to believe we have been on the road for 61 days. If feels like we left forever ago but then feels like it has flown by. How does that happen?  We are still trying to plot a path home but keep running into walls because of the weather patterns across the country. Last year, in March we drove across on Highway 40 had beautiful weather (except for tornadoes) and were able to stop in places like Flagstaff. Today Flagstaff is having a major snowstorm. UGGH!

It has been very windy and cooler today. There were many more people out then the last couple of times we had been downtown, probably because it is a Saturday and  the weekend crowds have arrived.  

   

We walked for miles to get from one casino to the other amid a mass of humanity that looked like ants from the overpasses across the highways.

 

   

I think I mentioned that Las Vegas is fast becoming a shopping mecca. Way to many stores everywhere.

                                          

We were stopped by two UNLV students and asked to take a survey regarding the safety  of  Las Vegas Boulevard. I guess there is some concern about the homeless, drugs, prostitution and police presence in a positive or negative way. We have not been bothered by anyone but the homeless are everywhere.Very sad to know there are so many homeless people in our country.

 

                                   

 

 

                                   

 

We decided we had to take in a show so after some discussion we purchased discounted tickets to see Rock of Ages on Sunday night at the Venetian.  There, we did it!

We had been walking for over five hours and our legs were hurting. If only we could transport ourselves back to our car like the late Dr. Spock from Star Trek!!!! Nope, we had to walk – please legs get us there. LOL

As night fell the temperatures really dropped. I was very happy to have my jacket but Ron was feeling the cold.  We saw many more homeless looking for a place to stop for the night. I cannot imagine staying out in the cold and damp air. As we were walking along one woman was wheeling her grocery cart with all of her belongings  and a little old  dog that was barking and snarling at everyone.

 

Then we came across a levitating man!

 

Las Vegas is a very interesting place to visit  and take in the sights and sounds of non-stop activity. Since we don’t drink, smoke or gamble one would wonder what the attraction is here for us. I guess we like how different it is from our normal every day life. That being said I think we are done with Las Vegas for a long while.

 

We have extended our stay at the CG until Tuesday morning then will be on our way. We hope that by the time we get home we will be able to get into our yard. With any luck it will start to warm and melt some of the mountains of snow back home.

 

 

Day 60 - Duck Creek CG, Las Vegas Nevada

We were both tired this morning so decided that today would be a hang around day. After breakfast we went to the grocery store, Dollar Tree  and Sketchers Outlet to buy Ron’s solar lights and new sneakers.

 

We had a light lunch and pretty much did nothing for the rest of the day. We did work on planning our next stop but because the weather patterns have been so nasty we decided against going to the Grand Canyon. There is a  winter storm  coming in and is expected to drop over a foot of snow in the South rim. Road warnings are in effect for the area. Needless to say the North rim is closed for the winter.We thought maybe we could go anyway but then saw that that average temps are in the low 30’s to teens. That is what we have been getting away from.

When we checked in here at Duck Puddle they were adamant that no big or aggressive breeds of dogs are allowed here such as German Shepard's or Pit Bulls.  Sounded good to us. When Ron was walking Jewel these two dogs were both big, and aggressive toward Jewel! HMMM, I guess the rules don’t apply to everyone. Looks like a German Shepard and Pit Bull to me.

 

                             

 

Sometimes it feels good to sit back and relax and not always be in a rush to see and do.  Tomorrow we will go back downtown and check out the opposite side of the street.

Day 59 - Duck Creek RV Park, Las Vegas Nevada, National Atomic Testing Museum, Neon Museum

Today we went to the National Atomic Testing Museum.  

   

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Atomic_Testing_Museum

The museum is 8000 square feet so it took us some time to get through it. We have been to several atomic museums in our travels so this was pretty much a repeat of what we have seen in the past.

There is also an Area 51 display that was a little boring. We have been to Roswell, New Mexico and have been to the museum there. That was a fantastic museum that was not duplicated here. We were a little disappointed because we thought we might see something new, but didn’t.

  

Later that evening we toured the Neon Museum.

“In 2012 the Neon Museum Boneyard opened at 770 Las Vegas Boulevard North.  The nearly two-acre campus includes an outdoor exhibition space, known as the Boneyard, which features more than 150 signs, four of which are restored, a visitors' center housed inside the former La Concha Motel lobby and the Neon Boneyard North Gallery which houses additional rescued signs and is used for weddings, special events, photo shoots and educational programs.

The Museum includes nine restored signs which can be viewed as public art and visited on a self-guided tour twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. The gallery includes the Lucky Cuss Motel, the Bow & Arrow Motel, The Silver Slipper, Binion's Horseshoe, the Normandie Motel, Dot’s Flowers, the Landmark and 5th Street Liquors.”

    

 

                                      

The tour took a little over one hour and our tour guide was excellent providing us with interesting history of each neon sign.

  

  

                                  

 

 

The neon signs  are donated, delivered and set up at the bone yard by the casinos that are being demolished. The city of Las Vegas is very vested in preserving the history of the neon signs so they lease the land to the museum for one dollar per year.

 

There are more the 150 historic signs in bone yard with 6 fully restored on site.

 

 

                              

 

After completing the very informative tour we went to Fremont Street to the Fremont Street Experience. We had been there 10 years ago when it appeared to be in the throws of decline. Needless to say we were amazed at the transformation with bandstands, street performers , multiple zip lines, and too many  stores and restaurants to count.

 

 

 

                              

 

    

 

It was a beautiful night so we took in the sights and sounds of “Party Time!” By midnight we were done and went back to our quiet MH for the night. It was a very busy and enjoyable day.

Day 58–Las Vegas, Nevada, Duck Creek CG

Despite a full CG it was very quiet here last night. We woke this morning to bright sunshine and cool temps. Had to put the heat on to take off the chill.

We didn’t plan anything special for today so will be walking the strip checking out the casinos. We did drive by the Pawn Stars shop to see a line all the way down the street of people waiting to get in. We thought it might be a cool idea to stop but are not star struck so opted .

The first thing we noticed about the Las Vegas strip was that there are many new casinos where the old once stood. Also, that a lot of the small free shows  that were available are now gone replaced by tons of retail shops.

 

Cesar’s Palace hasn’t changed too much although their centrum show has been updated to include animatronics.

 

                                                        

 

The short program was pretty cool and drew a large crowd. 

   

 

                                                     

 

We stopped for a light lunch at the Cheesecake Factory and were pretty impressed with the décor.

 

After  Cesar’s Palace we walked to the Bellagio. We stayed there for our 40th wedding anniversary before you had to give up your first born for the room rate! LOL

It is the Chinese New Year  so the casinos have some very beautiful Chinese décor.

At the Bellagio the atrium is decorated to represent the Year of the Goat.

 

                                         

 

      

                                 

Then we took the tram to the Monte Carlo and the Aria to  look around. They are  also  impressive places.

    

                       

 

After walking for almost five hours (the strip is enormous and casinos very far apart) we headed back to the parking garage. There were lots of street entertainers but Ron was most impressed with the pink lady sitting on the invisible chair.

                                        

 

 

We thought we might like to take in a show but couldn’t come up with a show we really want to see. Terry Fator is playing but I’m not willing to pay over $300.00 to see him. (saw him several times on America’s Got Talent and voted for him) Many of the other shows we have already seen so not sure what we will do.

 

 

Day 57–Drive to Las Vegas–Duck Creek RV Park, Las Vegas, Nevada

After  four days in Death Valley we are  heading to Las Vegas in search of more warm weather and sunshine. The 123 mile drive was pretty uneventful until we got up to 5770 feet and then we were back in snow! Apparently there was enough snow to plow as evidenced by the car on the side of the road.

 

                                                                  

 

People were stopped on the side of the highway making snowmen and throwing snowballs  at each other. I guess they don’t get much snow in this area. Not sure if they would be that happy about snow if they lived in Alaskachusetts!!!! LOL

We arrived at Duck Creek and squeezed into our site. Quite different then what we had been experiencing the last seven days.

 

 

                                             

There are multiple CG’s along Boulder Highway and they are all packed. We are lucky to have been able to secure a site at this GC, especially since it is a Passport America CG. We have a full hook-up site for $16.00 a night – can’t beat that!

Since we haven’t had utilities the laundry has been piling up. The first order of business, start the laundry,  then we were off to the grocery store to replenish our supplies. Posting the blogs became a small issue when our Wi- Fi Hot Spot decided not to cooperate for four hours. Then, like magic it kicked in and the blog was posted! YEAH!  Although the CG has free Wi-Fi there are use restrictions  for things like posting blogs and streaming videos.  .We have no definitive plans for tomorrow but I’m sure we will find something to do here in Las Vegas.