A Campground Move & Enjoying Las Vegas

Thursday
June 25, 2009

Now that college baseball is over and LSU won it all we decided that we wanted to be on the strip here in Las Vegas. We packed up and got on the road from Hitching Post RV Park around noon and started making our way toward the KOA at Circus Circus. We arrived around 12:30 and had to find a site that was acceptable since almost all the sites here are just asphalt like a big parking lot. Finding a site wasn’t the hard part but finding one I would fit in was. We settled for the one closest to the office that has grass, lawn furniture, and a swing. I will tell you that I don’t think it’s worth the price but the location is perfect. As they say you pay for that real estate in Vegas.

Our Campsite at Circus Circus KOA

(one of the few sites that has grass)

After that Rickey and I just sat outside and enjoyed watching everyone rolling in to the campground. Dana and Gina went to see what shows were available and to let Gina see the strip. They came back with a plan and all they needed now was some money to go purchase the tickets for their plan and make sure Rickey and I agreed. After that we went and jumped in the pool here and then laid out in the sun (really we just took a nap in preparation for our late night). Around six o’clock we all took our showers and headed out around eight o’clock. We had tickets to the 9:30 showing of Chris Angel at the Luxor theatre. We first had to buy tickets to the bus that runs back and forth along the strip. We arrived at the Luxor at nine o’clock and got in our seats right at 9:30. The show was over around 11:15 and then we all decided we wanted to dance a little. We found a nice band playing at the Tropicana playing 70’s music. Here are a few pictures
.

Gina taking a breather from dancing


Rickey just Relaxing


Dana relaxing too

After there we were out to search for another place by wondering down the strip. We finally decided around three a.m. that it was time to head home. We had a great time tonight. Here's a couple pictures I took on our walk down the strip.

A night shot of the Eiffel Tower


A Night Time View down the Strip

Friday
June 26, 2009

Ok, after getting to bed around four in the morning we didn’t get up very early. We did finally get up around ten feeling very drained but today was really a free day since there wasn’t anything planned. However, that was short lived since Gina & Dana were putting one together. Our daughter told Gina she had to go to the Paris and New York New York. So that was our plan. I went and jumped in the pool again to cool off. The heat here may be dry but it’s still hot!!! So off we went down to the strip around one o’clock with Paris our goal. We first went to see about dinner on the Eiffel tower or Las Vegas’s version of it. We got a tour of the restaurant and decided we would make reservations for 9:30 tonight. We were celebrating Rickey and Dana’s 31st wedding anniversary. After that Gina wanted to go up to the top of the Eiffel tower so off she went to buy tickets. While she was doing that I decided that I would make my contribution to Vegas. It didn’t take long but it was fun watching Rickey win a few dollars on the penny slots. We then went to the top of the Eiffel Tower and I learned that Rickey is scared of heights. While we were up at the top the Bellagio was doing their water show.

Rickey riding the Elevator


Water Show from the Top looking down


Another Shot


Looking South down the Strip


Looking North Up the Strip

From there we had lunch at a cafa in the Paris Casino.

Gina & Dana at their Seats


Me & Rickey Waiting for our Food

After lunch we went over to New York New York hotel & casino. While walking around Gina wanted some Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.

Gina and Her Ice Cream


New York New York Hotel & Casino

We walked around awhile longer then decided we needed to head home and get changed since the dress attire for the restaurant was business casual. We left for the restaurant at 8:30 and got there at nine o’clock. They could have seated us but we wanted a better view of the water show. So we left there and found a piano bar and watched these two guys playing great. We left there at 9:45 and went back to the restaurant and got the table we desired.

At night the Bellagio does their water & light show every 15 minutes and they change the music for each one so you get a different water show each time.

Our Table

(I forgot to take a picture before we set down)


The Water Show View from our Seats


Very Interesting Show


The Lights and Water were Beautiful


The Water can Shoot up High


Rickey & Dana in their Seats


Me & Gina in our Seats


I had the Roasted Rack of Lamb


Gina Had the Surf & Turf


All of Us Posing


Dana & Rickey

(Happy Anniversary Sis!!!)


The Water Show at Eye Level

We finished our dessert around 11:45 and even though Gina wanted to go dancing we all convinced her that we were tired and just wanted to have an early night. However, I wouldn’t normally call 12:30 an early night but in Vegas I would. Once we got back home we sat outside and chatted for a little while until I started falling asleep and Gina told me to get up and go to bed. That’s where the night really ended. We all said Good Night and off to bed we went at one o’clock in the morning. The dinner was great and we had another wonderful day and Gina & I enjoyed celebrating Rickey and Dana’s anniversary tonight with them. As always click on any picture and go to “my photos” and you can see all the pictures.


Until tomorrow, Gina & I hope everyone has a pleasant and wonderful day, enjoying what our Father has so graciously blessed us with.

Hoover Dam and LSU Becomes the 2009 NCAA Baseball National Champions

Wednesday
June 24, 2009

We decided last night that we would depart Williams and head toward Las Vegas today. Even though we got up early this morning we didn’t get on the road very fast. I brought Gina & Rickey up to the Williams Visitor’s Center so they could get some information about water rafting trips. I got back to the RV and got everything ready to depart. They made it back just about the time I was bringing in the slides. We got on the road at 9:33 and continued our trek west. When we got to Kingman, Arizona there was a big flashing sign that stated no RV’s over the Hoover Dam. I was told that there was construction over Hoover Dam but it would only delay us. I thought something might have changed so I stopped at the Flying J and got online. I finally called the Hoover Dam Police and they stated that I would be ok to pass over but I would have to get inspected. Not a problem. So off we went toward Hoover Dam. There was a check point just before the dam and I had to get out and let people search both the truck and RV. Their inspection only took about 5 minutes and then we were on our way. Again such a beautiful sight to see, we didn’t stop since we plan on going back and taking a tour of the dam. However, here are a few pictures along with some of the new bridge they are building as we were driving over it.

Our First View of Hoover Dam


Making Our Way Down


Another View


Upstream of Hoover Dam


Base of Hoover Dam


Looking Farther Upsteam


New Bridge Under Construction


Both Sides Are Almost Touching

We were originally going to stay at Sam’s Town Casino but they did not have cable and LSU was playing Texas for the final game of the College World Series. Tonight, one or the other would be the national champions. The last two nights we have only been able to watch it on the internet so today was a must to have cable and more specifically ESPN. The game was scheduled for 7 o’clock Eastern which meant it would be on here at 4 o’clock. We arrived at the Hitchin Post RV Park around 1:45 and decided that I would take a walk around to look at their sites and whether or not I could maneuver my rig through the campground. I decided it would work so we got into our site pretty easy and was set up by 2:15. Gina made cooked spaghetti, black eye peas and green beans for an early dinner. After she finished eating she put a strawberry dump cake in the oven and then she wanted ice cream with her desert so off to Walmart we went. I was really surprised that it’s been five days since our last Wal-mart visit. It was only about two miles down the road with easy access. We watched the baseball game and yes LSU was crowned the 2009 NCAA Baseball National Champions. In honor of their title I went outside and hung flew our LSU flag in celebration. Well done Tigers!!!!

Flying Our Colors


Rickey Is Very Happy and Wanting To Make Sure I Got the Whole Flag

(The wind was blowing all day until now)

Until tomorrow, Gina & I hope everyone has a pleasant and wonderful day, enjoying what our Father has so graciously blessed us with.

Meteor Crater, Train Ride & The Grand Canyon

Monday
June 22, 2009

We woke up at 5:06 because that is when sun came up. Arizona doesn’t change time with daylight savings time. Anyway Gina made a breakfast casserole while I tried to update the blog. It is very hard to update the blog on this trip since we are moving so fast and by evening time I’m tired and not to mention that my air card is slow out here in the middle of nowhere. We have taken so many pictures that uploading them has really taken a long time. The pictures here in the blog are just a few of what we have taken. We did get on the road today around 10:30 heading toward the Meteor Crater. Here are a few pictures from there. A really neat place.

View from about 5 miles away


Rickey posing for a Photo at the bottom of the Crater


Gina & Dana Posing at the bottom


Here We are posing at the bottom


Our First View of the Crater

Meteor Crater


Just another view of the Crater

Once we left the Meteor Crater we continued on toward Williams, Arizona. We got settled in to The Grand Canyon Railway RV park. It’s an ok park just not what we like. The location is great if you’re taking the train to the Grand Canyon, otherwise I would stay somewhere else. The main agenda item when we arrived was to watch LSU and Texas playing the first of three baseball games in the College World Series. This was an issue since the park doesn’t have ESPN so Rickey went to a bar to watch it and they had the game but it was hot and noisy so I tried to get the game on the internet and then they came back to watch it on the internet. Gina and I went to pick up our train tickets and then we all settled back in and watched the baseball game. I grilled hot dogs for dinner. They tasted so gooooood!!! I have not had a hot dog in over two years. Don’t really know why other than they are so high in fat and we have tried to limit our fat intake. The game was great LSU was behind and came back in the 9th to tie it and then won the game in extra innings. It wasn’t long before Gina & I were in bed.

Tuesday
June 23, 2009

Today was another early day since the one thing this trip has centered around has been the train ride into the Grand Canyon and the Pet Day Care Center. So again we woke up at five o’clock right with the sun coming up. I brought Gina her cup of coffee while she was still in bed and we both enjoyed our coffee together. From there it was get ready since we were dropping the dogs off at 7:30 this morning. Well we didn’t quite make it but we were there at a little after 8 o’clock. From there we went to the gift shop to see what all they had. I was surprised to see Gina walk out without any purchases. We were now off to see the gun fight they have every morning before the train departs at 9:30. It was cute but not the way I remember gun fights I watched as a kid down in Tucson and Universal Studios. From there we boarded the train. We were in the parlor class for both the trip there and back. Well worth the money and the train ride in itself was a very unique experience. Here are a few pictures but all of them are in our web album. Just click on any photo and go to my photos and they are all there. Between Dana and I we took 365 pictures today.

Angel & Zoey at the Pet Resort


A Cowboy getting Shot


All of us Boarding the Train


Gina & I getting Settled into our Seat


Rickey & Dana in Their Seat


Sherry our Hostess/bartender/tour guide


Gina & Dana getting some fruit and pastries

(they were free for Parlor Class)


Our Entertainment for the train ride there


All of Us on the Back Observation Deck


Just Gina & I back on the Observation Deck


Gina & Rickey's first look at the Grand Canyon

They were Speechless


The Grand Canyon


Gina & I


Another Shot of the Grand Canyon


I almost lost Gina over the Cliff here

(Just Kidding I was only helping her up)


All of Us Posing


So Majestic


An Amazing Shot of What God Created


All Of Us Back on the Train for the ride Back to Williams


Here we are with Champagne toasting to a Wonderful Day

Just before We Got Back we were Held Up


The Robber wanted to take Gina with Him


Here We Are Enjoying Ourselves

I could have written so much more. I do recommend to everyone if you come to the Grand Canyon by all means take the train from Williams to the Grand Canyon and even though the parlor class is expensive I highly recommend it. It was so nice to go stand at the end of the train outside and watch the scenery pass by. The hostess we had was just wonderful. All in all it was a wonderful day and I’m sure Gina & I will be back to spend more time at the Grand Canyon. We only spent about three hours there and that is not enough time. We could have spent the whole day and we still would not have seen it all but it wet our appetite to want to see more of it.

Until tomorrow, Gina & I hope everyone has a pleasant and wonderful day, enjoying what our Father has so graciously blessed us with.