We decide to see some of the sights around to rural Las Vegas area, so today went out to Hoover Dam. For the last 2 or 3 years we have been following the construction of the bridge downstream from the dam. Originally it was supposed to be completed by 2008 for $235 million dollars, but now it is schedued for fall of this year. Do you think it may be a little over budget?? However it is coming along nicely with only 3 sections of deck of complete. Lots of info is available on the web with a google search of "Hoover Dam Bridge Construction."
After taking our updated pictures we returned back to Highway 95 and traveled back south for 40 miles to Searchlight, then onto the Joshua Highway across to Primm on I 15. The Joshua Highway is aptly named as thousands of Joshua trees grow on either side of the route for about 30 miles. Last year we were in Joshua Tree National Park near 29 Palms, California. Lots of the species grow there as well, but when we were there in February they were not in bloom yet. Today blooms were on almost all the trees. We were able to get some great shots of them.
After Primm returned to Vegas, but instead of returning home, went north toward Pahrump, and then into Red Rock Canyon State Park. We were in search of a waterfall that was advertised in the Sams Town RV Park, as a sight a person should see. To us the picture shown was almost a duplicate of the Cameron Falls at Waterton Lakes National Park near home. But once there and questioning the Park info girl, she told me that there is a couple of waterfalls, but they are small and dry up most of the time, but have a small flow at present. The drive through the Park is a 13 mile "Loop" road. Although we never found a big waterfalls, we did find some interesting Flora and Fauna. The Rock here is as red as it is in Our own Red Rock Canyon in Waterton, and lots of rock climbers enjoy the challenges of spending time scaling the near vertical cliffs.
In one of these areas we were lucky enough to spot some Desert Bighornes high up in the boulders, and our telephoto lenses on our cameras were able to capture some of them.
Even found the Oscat Meyers Weinermobile. Licence plates "RELSHME"
March 22nd
Vacation time is great, but life goes on back home. Babies are born, and love ones pass on. Denice and I have a wonderful sister-in-law, Enid, living in Edmonton, wife of my brother Larry. She has been bravely fighting that dreaded cancer for at least a year now, and has been confined to the hospital for the last two months. Larry bravely cared for her every need at home as long as he was able, but finally relented to have her taken to the hospital, where better care could be administered. He faithfully has remained at her side 24/7 for these last two months. He called today to tell us that the end of the long road is approaching soon. We have always been close to Enid, and would like to be with her now, but at this stage we believe we serve both her, and ourselves better by staying away. We are in Vegas, and are able to drive home in 3 or 4 days or can catch a plane and be home in hours if need be. We will just keep in close communication and do what is required when the time comes.
This evening we caught the shuttle down town to the Freemont Street Light show. For those who have never been there, It is a two block section of Freemont Street, that has a dome covering over the street section and huge laser shows are projected onto the domed roof. We arrived about 5:00PM and had supper at a casino, then were on the street for the hourly show at 7:00PM. It is just fantastic.
All the casinos in that section: the Golden Nugget, The Four Queens, Binions, and the Freemont Casino, to name a few, all shut off their outside lights during the extravaganza performance. The sound and light show is phenominal. Just a couple of pictures to give you some idea. Thousands of people crowd the street to watch and listen. Between shows we just wandered along and took in the local sights. AND SOME SIGHTS THERE WERE!! And now "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!"
March 21st
Time to move again. Damn, I could stay a month here, as we really enjoyed it. Maybe next year we will. Most of the folks here are long term people, We hear comments about this one being here 18 years, that one 16 years, the new comer of 10 years, and on and on. Don't think we want to do that but staying for the month of March would be nice. Reservations would have to be made as this resort is full with the winter crowd, October to March, and then the summer ones who are water lovers, from April to October. I think we should be able to squeeze in, in march as some leave early to head for their Summer homes.
Anyway, we pack up and move on, back to Parker, then west on 62 to 95 north. Follow it all the way to Vegas, and then onto the Boulder highway until we reach Sam's Town RV Park. Check in for 3 days. That should give us a little time to see some of the sights here.
Mar 19th and 20th
Nothing important to report. Just sat back and relaxed at Black Meadows Landing. Enjoyed the weather and scenery.
Life and retirement is a "Bowl of Cherries." And speaking of cherries, Denice is drinking lots of cherry juice for her gouty toe as recommended by those on site experts of our age who many have experienced the pain. She continues to improve daily, but still favors it. Occasionally when I accidentally bump it while walking by, she still howls and pain and threatens to do me in, but I'm still here to complete this blog anyway.
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