Posh or what!

Spring Preserves

The Strip in Vegas is never far away (Taken from the cafe @ Springs Preserve)

A Rocky Canyon complete with screeching birds and howling  coyote.  Mind your heads! 

Saturday, 9th February
Not Thelma & Louise more like Eddie & Lavinia

I know how much you guys are suffering back home, well just to let you know that despite the beautiful, clear blue skies there is a bitingly cold wind blowing here at the moment and there was a 9" downfall of snow on Mount Charleston.  You can see the snow as you drive along the freeway.  The temperature at the moment is 55 F at its' highest so out with the woolies for a couple of days.

You may recall that I told you the saga of Larry the Lemon, well Larry has been replaced by the Black Beauty (Ford Focus Saloon). This meant that Eddie had to drive Helen to the airport to pick up a rental car. Great fun.   I hid in the back seat on the way out.  Can't stand this undertaking on the freeway and cars hurtling everywhere, probably because I'm not the one driving and don't fully understand the strange driving system they have over hear i.e. taking a right turn when the lights are on red?   We had the Mustang to ourselves, posh or what.  This is the nearest we shall get to having such a fancy car that ROARS when you accelerate.  Pity it was too cold to have the roof down. VROOOOM!

Today's visitor attraction was Springs Preserve (www.springspreserve.org) It describes itself as

 '...the premier place in las Vegas to explore the valley's vibrant history through interactive science and nature exhibits, botanical gardens, hiking, trails and live animal shows.'

I would certainly recommend a visit to this place.  There is so much to see and do.  A walk through a small canyon brings you to Origen Museum where they have three exhibitions, CSI Crime Scene Insects, Culture and People of Nevada, Fauna and Flora of Nevada and a Wings over the Springs.

Our first experience was the Wings over the Springs, Raptors Rule! A brilliant high flying live show featuring some beautiful hawks, eagles, falcons, owls and even some RATS just for fun.  These amazing birds were sent flying round the auditorium skimming over the heads of the audience giving a superb display.  We were on the front row and we had a spectacular, close up view of these amazing creatures.

We then started on the exhibitions.  The first one CSI (Crime ~Scene Insects) effectively showed how forensic science uses the insect population to provide evidence in a case of murder from egg to maggots to blow flies.  Nice.

Pardon me Sir, is that the Vegas Choo Choo

The Exhibition on Culture and People traced the lives of native American Indians over thousands of years up to the present day Las Vegas.  You could meet some of the local tribe members who would talk about their traditional arts and crafts, food customs and music making.  This also included a presentation on the construction of the Hoover Dam. 

Do not mess with the Black Widow! So tiny yet DEADLY!

Cute Tarantula, rather meet one of these than a Black Widow.

The final exhibition covered the Fauna and Flora of Nevada including a dramatic flash flood, and yes, you may get your feet wet if you stand too close to the edge of the display area.  This is the area where I saw my first and I hope only Black Widow spider.  To think Eddie was sticking his hand in a hole where one of these thing spider could have unleashed their deadly venom.  There is also an outside exhibition area where you can see the snakes, rabbits, foxes, lizards, tortoise up close and personal.

Two little bunnies

A must see place for anyone visiting Vegas and wanting to get away from the bright lights and somewhere where you can take little people as they have a number of activities gear up to them.

Sales pitch over.  Yet another day of sunshine, less windy but a little cooler.  Lasagne on the menu from our hostess and host.  Let's see what tomorrow brings.