Journal Entry for Thursday, Mar 1st

Clark County Wetlands Park Today Jim came over around noon and we went to our favorite ‘sub’ shop, East Coast Eats, and all had their huge Steak Bomb. It was actually too much food. Jim and I then decided to go over to the Clark County Wetland Park and see what was available. We were able to see some turtles, a white egret, hawk, and nearly a half-dozen Desert Cottentail Rabits. Unfortunately, the only thing I was able to capture were the turtles sunning on a rock. Still in the final stages of construction, this 210-acre nature preserve, bordering the Las Vegas Wash, makes for a quite enjoyable two to three hour hike. Read more here ... Clark County Wetlands Park. After our hike, we drove to the Stratosphere Tower on the Strip to take advantage of the 2-1 Martinis and appetizers at the 107 Lounge located on the 107th floor. We both had a vodka Appletini with our appetizers of Calamari and a delicious cheese and fruit plate. For dessert we enjoyed a delicious Chocolate Martini. Made with Godiva® chocolate liqueur, creme de cacao, Smirnoff® vodka and half-and-half, it was outstanding. Never having experienced a martini before, Jim thought they were both absolutely delicious. From here we went to the Wynn Casino and had another Appletini out on the Parasol Up bar’s patio overlooking the Lake of Dreams. The free Lake of Dreams Show spans over 20,000 square feet and employs thousands of underwater LED fixtures and props to construct a show that combines color and water with remarkable results. Though the one we saw was not the better of the several that are offered, it was still a very relaxing way to end out day.

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.

Journal Entry for Sunday, Feb 26th

Historic Tunnel Trail Hike Jim and I headed over to trailhead for the Railroad Tunnel Trail at Lake Mead. Though a bit cooler than yesterday, It was still a beautiful hiking day. We spent the entire afternoon doing a five-mile out and back hike along this wonderfully scenic trail. Once used during the building of the Hoover Dam, the trail follows an old railroad bed through a series of five tunnels on its way to the dam. Click here to go to my photography site where you can find pictures and learn more about this historic trail… The Historic Railroad Tunnel Trail. Though we were both hurting a little at the end, I think Jim enjoyed and got some great pictures. After the hike we drove down towards the dam area to take a walk out on the relatively new dam by-pass bridge. Though Jim and I were one of the first cars to pass over this bridge when it opened back on October 16th, 2010, on a return visit from the Skywalk at Grand Canyon West, he had not yet had the opportunity to walk out on it. Providing some awesome down river views of the dam, this engineering marvel has become a must stop for anyone visiting the Las Vegas area. Click here to go to my photography site and learn more about this amazing bridge… Mike O'Callaghan – Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge. After coming home and telling about our hiking experience and showing Connie all of our pictures, Jim called it a day and headed back to his house while Connie and I settled down with some lemon cake and whipped cream for dinner over the 2012 Oscars.

Journal Entry for Saturday, Feb 25th

Cocktails by the Pool Having picked our friend Jim Herring up at the airport at 10:45 pm last night and driving him over to his house on the north end of Las Vegas, it was nearly 1:00 am by the time I got to bed. We both decided to allow some “sleep-in” time before getting together today. By the time Jim came over in the afternoon it was nearly 75-degrees and sunny without a cloud in the sky, so we decided to take our wine out to the pool and get a little sun. Jim and I even got a few shots of some Canada Geese in one of the golf course ponds next to our pool area. After a lovely couple of hours sitting around the pool, sipping wine and “chewing the fat” we came in and sat on our deck while I prepared some munchies. After our snacks we came inside and watched a Netflix CD, The Amazing Jonathan, a comic magician who has been playing Las Vegas for more than 12 years. We all agreed that he was quite entertaining. After our ‘show’, we headed out for dinner at the Claim Jumper, just up the street from where we live. Because it is part of the Landry’s chain, of which I am a member, we received immediate seating and avoided a 35 minute wait. They have a huge menu and all the food here is very good – even though the portions are more than any one person should be eating. I had some of the best baby back pork ribs I’ve had in ages. I had a $25 credit on my member card and Jim treated us to the rest. We all went home stuffed. Jim and I decided that we would hike the Historic Railroad Tunnel Trail over by the Hoover Dam tomorrow and decided to get some rest by calling it a night.