Journal Entry for Tuesday, Feb 28th

Atomic Testing Museum Jim came over this morning and we all headed out to Mimi’s Café for a huge late breakfast. Both Jim and Connie had the new Cinnamon Brioche French Toast  with eggs and bacon. I had the three egg Mardi Gras Omelette that was filled with chunks of ham, sausage, bacon, cajun sausage, tomatoes and cheddar cheese. We also shared a hot banana bread. After breakfast Jim and I headed down to the Atomic Testing Museum, one of 37 national museums affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution.  This is a repository for one of the most comprehensive collections of nuclear history relating to atomic testing, the Nevada Test Site, the Cold War, and nuclear and radiological science and technology. The museum covers the period from the first test at NTS on January 27, 1951, to the present. Among its exhibits covering American nuclear history is a "Ground Zero Theater" which simulates the experience of observing an atmospheric nuclear test. Other exhibits include Geiger counters, radio badges and radiation testing devices, Native American artifacts from around the test area and equipment used in testing the devices. There are several videos and interactive exhibits on a variety of related topics. We both found it quite interesting; our self guided tour lasted over two hours. Click here to read more …http://www.nationalatomictestingmuseum.org/default.aspx.  Next we drove over to the “Year of the Dragon” exhibit at the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Jim found it quite interesting and colorful. I still think that the mosaic mirror tiled Chinese horse situated just below the Dale Chihuly ceiling sculpture in the lobby is worth the entire trip. I recently dedicated a post to these two sculpture on my photo gallery site. Check it out! Mosaic Mirror Tiled Chinese Horse. We then traveled back to my place, picked up Connie and went to Bucca di Beppe Peppo’s for dinner, Jim’s treat. This Italian restaurant is know for its huge portions. As full at we were, we just had to order the Colossal Brownie Sundae – filled with twelve decadent chunks of freshly-baked brownies layered with six scoops of vanilla bean and chocolate ice cream, topped with caramel and chocolate sauces then buried in mounds of whipped cream and a cherry. Yea, I know that sounds over the top, but Jim is on vacation after all! Check it out here … The Colossal Brownie Sundae.