Tea for two, three, four, five

Saturday 16th February
Yummy cake...

So we're nearing the end of the holiday and Helen had all sorts of treats in store for us to share but life has a habit of throwing spanners in our best laid plans.  The Cheesecake Factory needed Helen to work a ridiculous shift 5 pm to 1 am.  Yes, I do mean 1 a.m!  They work hard in these places in Vegas, it is a 24/7 culture, the city that never sleeps and neither do the staff who work in these places.  Just remember this the next time your out late partying and enjoying yourselves and leave a big tip.

Anyway, back to the story.  The day still had to go ahead and Helen had been promised a Tea Time Treat the following week (don't know if it actually happened).  Apparently one of the must buy items in America are Levi Jeans.  I have a tendency to go cheap at our local supermarket so wasn't particularly interested in purchasing but everyone has to go to a Premium Outlet just for the experience.  So you want some new plastic Crocs, or a Gucci bag which may have a slight fault on the stitching or some new trainers.  Go to a Premium Outlet.  Think the shopping place and Bicester, England and treble it and that is what you have.  We had a good look around and came away empty handed.  We have everything or do we?

Onto the strip and subterranean parking before moving into the Shopping Forum.  All the brands you would expect, Macy's H&M, Gap, Topshop (Topshop we have that in Leicester). The item of interest for us though was the 'Fashion Show' Every hour the lower floor mysteriously ascends from the depths to produce a runway for the Fashion Show.  Lights, music and action and for the next 10 minutes you are entertained by all these young slilth like guy and gals showing us what we would like to wear but are either to old, can't afford or challenged in the height department to even think about rushing off to the store to buy something.  When I come back into this world I shall be at least 5ft 6inches and a size 8.  Stop laughing you lot.


Show over and we start heading out in our respective cars to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.  Its' claim to fame, the only hotel in Vegas that doesn't have a casino.  It is so 'posh' they even have a seat in the lift as you travel up to some dizzying height to the Restaurant for your afternoon tea.You have to book in advance, just as a word of warning. http://www.mandarinoriental.com/lasvegas
So if you fancy having afternoon tea where the likes of Dame Helen Mirren, Darcy Bussell, Kevin Spacey, Liam Neeson or Harry Connick. Jr. frequent,  then this is the place for you.

Tea, tea, tea and more tea

We had a lovely seat and table by the window which gave us spectacular views of the Strip.  Must be quite spectacular when the lights come on.  The atmosphere is really calming, no hustle and bustle, no sense of urgency to eat up and get you out.  So what did we have for tea.  The emphasis is on China Tea and it was interesting to note that all the staff were of the Oriental persuasion.   You have a great range of teas from which to choose which is brewed correctly so that it is served to you at the correct temperature for a great cup of tea.  I went for  a Mandarin Earl Grey.  In fact the five of us (remember Helen had to go to work), each choose a different tea blend. The plates of cakes, scones and sandwich were placed on a stand to best show off the creations.  Sandwiches included Rye bread with Salmon, Coronation Chicken, Egg Mayonaise and Beef & Horseradish.  Mike is not a fish or egg man and I was happy to do a swap with him.  The scones were light, but  my only comment being that there wasn't enough preserve and Devonshire (!) Clotted Cream to satiatiate my needs we did ask for more which we received but we English like to pile on the cream and jam, or jam and cream whichever way you choose.

 

It was a very pleasant afternoon tea just such a shame Helen couldn't join us.  I'm sure there will be another opportunity in the future.  Thanks for the treat folks.  Muchly appreciated and a great experience. 

Back to home as the lights start up for the night.

A real taste of America

Friday, 15th February
I didn't know I needed that.

The great thing about travelling world wide is that you can take on board the culture of that particular country; traditions, customs, foods, activities.  Today was the day for doing just that.  With our two new visitors Rick and Anna we were taken out for a days entertainment at an amazing, mind blowing, awe inspiring shopping experience.  I'm not kidding either.  Whether you are a hunter, fisherman, camping enthusiast, boater or just love the outdoors then this is the place.  I have put in the link because the site is well worth a visit.

www.basspro.com The Great American Outdoor Store.  That is how they describe themselves and once you get inside it is an amazing free experience for anyone who wants to be whisked away to another world.  From a giant size aquaria to a massive waterfall over a mountain side with a deer (not real obviously) standing ready to be shot down and dragged away to be turned into venison burgers.

Of course once you've bought your deer you need to prepare it to be made in to sausages. They have the mince and sausage machine too.  Camoflague, a whole department dedicated to everything to hide in those forests with your bow and arrow or high velocity rifle. Yep, you can buy firearms there too and the bullets.  What an amazing adventure.  My only criticism of this place, No Geocaching stuff.  They're missing a trick here.


So time for lunch and if your in the USA you have to go for a burger at some point in your stay.  Where better than the In Out Burger Company.  Well Mr MacDonald had to get his idea from somewhere.  In 1948 Harry Snyder and his wife Esther came up with the concept including the idea of a drive thru.  Many years later they have become an icon burger place and even have a huge range of clothing and gifts which you can purchase.  There is even a secret menu.  Shhhhh, don't tell anyone. But everyone knows you can order extra burgers or go 'animal' that means you can have your meat without the buns and 'protein' so you can have extra cheese and burgers.  More choices.  Can't cope.  Well have to go back home and lounge in the pool and hot tub.  

                                                 

Hubble Bubble 

Whilst our guests went shopping for beer supplies we were taken back to the apartment.  Helen had to go to work anyway so we were left alone to enjoy a quiet sit down at the poolside in the glorious warm sunshine.  If we got bored then we could jump in the hot tub and enjoy a Lime Margarita.  That's the life.

It's a hard life

A street with a view.

Pool was a little cold for me

Fire! Fire!

Thursday, 14th February
Where are them there Indians!

Today we are off on a mini adventure.  I know it is a mini adventure as we have egg rolls.  It's one of those weird family traditions that is steeped in our childrens' memories of times when they were little.  So an early start to the day with the picnic, suncream, hats and woollies just in case it gets a little cool.

Is it a tree or a mobile phone mast?

The Valley of Fire is a mere 55 miles from Las Vegas on Interstate 15.  It does get a trifle boring travelling down the long but not winding road that is the interstate but every now and again you can see something that catches your eye and you think 'That clever.' Well you tell me.  Our countryside is littered with mobile phone masts that stand out like a sore thumb next to a royal oak or fir tree. The Americans have come up with the bright idea of disguising their mast as fir trees.  Brilliant. Let's bring that idea over here.  You can get palm tree versions too.

Look out for the Indians on the ridge

So on we go past quarries and see freight trains with over 100 containers in-between two engines.  A right turn and onto a winding, narrower road that takes us up to the Valley of Fire entrance and paystation.  Having paid you drive around the corner and you suddenly find yourself in the middle of a western film set expecting to see cowboys and Indians having a shoot out with the Wagon Train in a circle.  Amazing.  In fact, for once, words fail me.  It really is very spectacular and any photos will not do justice to the sight.

The red sandstone rock has been shaped and moulded over thousands of years by the wind and water to create these amazing sights.  So the journey begins.  Now I am going to say the magic word Geocaching.  No little plastic boxes this time but earth caches. In other words you take your photo in front of an object and answer questions to widen your knowledge of what you see.

The Beehives

The first place we visited was the Beehives.  Obvious why they are called beehives.  They have been weathered by the eroding forces of wind and water.  The great forces of nature.  

Back in the car and off to see some old fossils.  Technically Logs and stumps that were washed into the area from an ancient forest about 225 million years ago and now appear as rocks although you can clearly see their original shape and form.

I just love this sign.  A text book example of American Grammar and humour.  I tried to shout 'boo' to see if it would affect the wood but there was no reaction.  The tree were scared stiff.   Get it:-)

'A Petrified Tree

 So what now.  Yes, you've guessed it back to the car and on to the next point of interest.  Actually a matter of finding a 'convenience' really and you can't beat a Visitors Centre.  Have to say I am a bit disappointed as the Visitors Centres we been to so far have not been able to provide us with a cuppa or an icecream.  Sufficiently refreshed and informed about the fauna and flora of the Valley we ... go back to the car and off to Mouse's Tank.  Yes, the apostrophe is in the right place.  Mouse is described as being a renegrade Indian who, being accused of theft, used the area as a hideout.  We are talking 1890's.  The Tank part of the name comes from a natural basin in the rock where water collects after rainfalls, sometimes remaining for months. Mind you they only have 4" of rain a year.  The Mouse Tank itself isn't that exciting but what is amazing is the numerous examples of prehistoric petroglyphs (ancient symbols).  Were these in the UK they would be behind a fence covered in perspex.

Can you decode this.  I think it is two people have molar dental problems 

Left - Atlatl (spear) zig zag River, Long horned sheep

Petroglyph Canyon Train. Off the beaten trail

Time for lunch, remember the eggy sandwiches.  As it gets so hot, hot, hot there are a number of shaded areas for a picnic or a bbq.  We were entertained by the cutest of chipmunks who apparently carry ticks and other nasties but they are rather funny.

More peanuts please.

Our journey around the Valley continued to the Atlati Rock.  If you want to go camping there is some great campsites within the Park area.  The Atlatl Rock shows even more Indian rock art.  An atlatl is a notched sticked used to throw primitive spears.  You have to work a bit harder to get to this area though but it had to be done as this was another earth cache.  Glad we didn't have to take the old stairs looked a bit scary.

Arch Rock

And so to the last earth cache.   Our task here was to guess the height and width of the arch.  Any guesses?

And so the journey back to Vegas and the bright lights.  Today two more would join our merry band, Rick and Anna, friends of Mikes'.  Another day done and a fab chilli meal prepared by Mike.  That's how you impress your new in-laws.

A day of rest!

Wednesday, 13th February
Well someones got to do it.

In order to give the kids a break from babysitting the 'olds' we were let out alone.  We had a key, we could get outside the gated community and bravely cross the infamous Charleston Boulevard all 11 lanes.  No kidding 11 lanes wide and you have 30 second in which to cross it.  Can't say I miss that road.  Nice to get back to walking over our little roads.

Just a little road

Gated community life with a view

Eddie and I also wanted to do a little bit of geocaching and went out to find the Summerlin Community Park where it just so happens there are one or two little plastic pots.  Finding the park was no problem and there are some great recreational facilities and a covered playground with swings and slides for the little ones.  Glad it's covered as it get extremely hot here in the summer.

Through the gate and into the canyon

Did we find our caches? Yes, of course.  LPC (Lamp Post Cover) that's the hint.  At the base of most lamp posts is a square metal cover to hide the bolts or if you a geocacher the micro film canister.  We did have to climb the odd bank in a run off canyon but I put my foot down when 'he who would be obeyed' decided he wanted to delve into a cave behind a creosote bush.  Remember the Black Widow?

Upon our safe return we were driven off to a quintessential American Diner 'Famous Dave's. It was going to be named Daves Famous BBQ but the signwriter got it slightly wrong and so the diner was born.  Again no shortage of food served on a gingham lined plate with a selection of 6 or was it 7 different sauces to enhance your meal.  Eric, the server, guided us through the sauces as a couple of us were new to the experience.  There is also a secret sauce, super hot and with a pineapple burst.  It's so special you have to ask for it.  I went on Mikes recommendation and had the brisket beef sandwich.  Have to say the meat was delicious and very, very tender.  All washed down with a Sam Adams beer lovely.  Check out the website, just in case you're ever in the area.  Well done Dave.  http://www.famousdaves.com/

Pool is a little cool

My new little friend, the Hummingbird.

The young ones needed to replace their drinks cabinet supplies with a few bottles of beer and wine for the red wine drinkers in the party and we were left in charge of the apartment and given the key to the pool area.  Well, what is a girl supposed to do.

 

Hot Tub with bubbles

Bubbly hot tub, a sun lounger or two, a good book and a lime margaritta, sun shining in the sky. It's a tough life but it had to be done.

Flippin' Pancakes

Tuesday, 12th February
From Snowy mountain to arid desert in one day

The sun may be up but it's mighty cold out in them their hills.  Yep, temperature has dropped to 55F but it will be much colder in the mountains.

The lovely Mike, Helen husband (still sounds strange), is ranked number 6 in the RAF Snowboarding Team. I think that's right but I'm sure I'll be corrected if not.  So he pretty, darn good at slip, sliding down them there hills.  Today was an opportunity to impress the in-laws (nearly said outlaws, keeping to a cowboy theme).  We headed out to Mount Charleston Ski Resort.  A very impressive, picturesque drive up the road towards the summit.  After some recent snow fall everything was clean and crisp which look super under a clear blue sky.

Viva Las Vegas

Mount Charleston Ski Resort

The ski resort has 3 lifts, 4 slopes: 2 skiers, 1 nursery slope and a snowboard run.  It's easy to identify where you are in the world because there is another of those icon Las Vegas signs, only this time Elvis 'had left the house'.  After a snack lunch, Mike headed off up the lift to demonstrate how it was done.  Had to keep our eyes open as all boarders look alike at a distance, that or my eyesight isn't as good as it used to be.  A swish and a swoosh bought Mike down the slope and back to us with a big smile on his face.  The verdict was that the "snow is brilliant".  Helen now had to make the sacrifice and not go skiing with Mike.  Sorry Helen.  Leaving Mike to have fun on the slopes we headed off to the desert. Yes, I did write desert.

Here comes Mikey.  Woosh

Watch out Helen

Snowy peaks ...

and the desert.

Eddie has been chuntering about doing the Geocaching Star in the desert (GC No. available on request) for a long time.  This is possibly his reason for coming out here to Vegas.  We had warned him about scorpions, snakes and extremely venomous Black Widow Spiders but still he will insist on putting his hand in some random plant or delving deep inside a rock face.  Still a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do.  The area we were looking out is an Indian Reservation along the main road back to Vegas.

Okay, the desert is flat and dry and tough underfoot as there are many boulders, run offs for when it does rain and prickly bushes, yuccas, Joshua Trees, creosote bushes and barrel cactus to name but a few.
Okay, so I love Joshua Trees possibly because they stand out in a crowd. American Indians used the leaves for working into baskets and sandals. Then the Mormon immigrants began their way across the Colorado River and name the tree after the biblical figure, Joshua.  The trees were used for fencing and corrals  and as a source for fuel.

Joshua Tree

The Geocaching Star consists 18 caches set out in the shape of a star with the furthest point being about 800 yards from the roadside.  The Big Chief, Eddie decided that we would do 8 caches on the left hand side of the star.  Close enough to keep an eye on Helen's car and yet far enough away to get in a good walk.  The cache containers were about the size of a film canister.  Some were under boulders which were easy to spot because stones don't tend to stack them selves one on top of the other.  Others were within a yucca.  A great place for a little beastie to hide.

Checking the consellation co-ords

A walk in the park (desert) 

Can you spot the little pot?

Eight out of 18 caches isn't too bad and it does mean we completed part of the star and hopefully Eddie will now be satisfied at the achievement.

Wild life is in abundance in Vegas, and I'm not talking about the antics of those folk on the Strip slightly worse for drink.  Mr Rabbit was waiting for us when we got back home for a nice cuppa and of course its pancake day.  Phew what a day. What contrasts.  More adventures to follow.

Flopsy, Mopsy or Cottontail?

Now that's what I call a Dam.

Monday, 11th February
Art deco and all that jazz (1931 - 1935) 

'A modern civil engineering wonder of the United States' The Hoover Dam.(Built 1931 - 1935)

Eddie has been waiting for this trip for I don't know how long.  The Hoover Dam, originally named Boulder Dam,  and was built to control the Colorado River as it winds it way along a 1400 mile course from the Colorado's Rock Mountains.  Today it provides irrigations over one million acres, provides 20 million people  with domestic water and generates 4 billion kilowatt-hours a years to 1.3 million people.  The resulting Lake Mead provides sports and leisure facilities around its 550 mile shoreline. Enough of the mind blowing facts and figures.  This is an amazing engineering accomplishment and provided employment during the Great Depression.

From a tourist point of view it is certainly work a visit. Parking is a bit pricey ($7) and of course you have to pay $11 per person for the 30 minute trip into the bowels of the dam.  There is a more intensive tour behind the scenes available at a price.  It never occurred to us that we would need a full security check, which is obvious when you think about it. Now time for a photo of you and your group to buy later.  We then went down the lift 53 floors.  Panic! Being shut up in a lift with 65 people is not my idea of fun although the descent only takes a few second and not as claustrophobic as you may imagine. This takes you to the visitors platform where you can see the massive  pipe work that was put in originally to divert the Colorado River whilst the dam was constructed.

Turbine Hall

Mosaic in turbine hall.

 Back to the lift again and this time down into the HUGE turbine hall. You can get an idea of the size of the area from the people in the balcony in the photo.  I have to admit when it came to the engineering side of things I did switch off a little and my attention was drawn to the mosaic on the balcony.  Being built in the 1930, Art Deco was the order the day and the sharp, angular lines of this period are abundant in this building inside and out.  This particular design was based on an Paute Indian pattern. 

On top of the world

It's a long way down

Back to the lift again, 65 in 65 out and finally the chance to purchase that photo of you and your at the Hoover Dam, courtesy of the Green Screen.  And no we didn't purchase. Ridiculous price.  Move away and see the museum which includes some interactive displays before moving outside to the viewing platform for a closer view of the dam, the turbine hall, the wonky pylons, and the new road bridge.  The final ascent of 46 steps takes you outside so you can walk over the dam from Nevada State into Arizona State.

New road bridge arching the river

Helen is one hour older than Eddie.

 The Hoover Dam actually spans two states, Arizona and Nevada.  What we never expected was that the time line went literally down the middle of the dam meaning that there was a time difference of an our between the two states.  We weren't staying for long so seemed pointless to change our watches. There were other things to do.

Nevada time

Arizona time

Now that's what I call brass. Art Deco period lift door.

There are other points of interest at the Hoover Dam. A memorial to the 100 men who were killed during the building of the bridge and a strange presentation, I think its referred to as a dyorama.  It is a little dated possibly but give a good overview of the huge effect of the Colorado River and other dams that have been built.

After a light lunch at the cafe and a tour of the mega tacky gift shop (another magnet for the fridge) we headed home via Boulder City.  It's not a city but the town that accommodated the Hoover Dam workers and their families.   Today the old town looks like a quintessential all American town with some really interesting artwork which we just happened to need so Eddie could get his geocaching daily fix.  Even managed to find the Post Office and bought the stamps for the postcards.  Very friendly bunch round these parts.

Final cache and photographic opportunity of the day overlooking Lake Mead and home for a great pasta dinner.