Monday and Tuesday

The fantastic Las Vegas vacation continues!

Monday:

Drove out to Mount Charleston/Spring Mountains National Recreation Area to visit cousin E. We had a lovely picnic next to a little brook in the ponderosa pine forest. We met her boyfriend L. who was very nice. Then we drove to a scenic overlook near the bristlecone forest, then back down to the desert to take a short hike/walk. We went through this very narrow canyon that the Native Americans from the area had considered sacred. It was really beautiful. Also good to catch up with E. who is enjoying her career in Park Service education (she just got her MA in Wisconsin after spending several years in Alaska, it was cool to talk to her).

Then we hung out in the whirlpool tub in the timeshare and B. mixed fruity drinks. I took a little nap and we went out to Freemont Street. It was interesting, but a little loud, and there seemed to be a pretty high percentage of obnoxious drunk people for a Monday night. I was glad to see it, also glad we didn't stay overly long.

Tuesday:

We started out at the Venetian and spent time shopping (I bought a new everyday bag for work). It was neat to see the singers in the square while we had some gelato. Alan then got a straight-razor shave which was really more of a spa treatment (clay mask! massage!, it was almost an hour) and I bought him some fancy shave products as an early birthday present.

Then we headed to Paris (pretty!). We had a fantastic early dinner at Mon Ami Gabi (also really fun to say! try it!). My French 75 was okay. This is my favorite drink ever and I was excited to see it on the menu. B.'s french onion soup was good. My gazpacho was AMAZING and the steak frites were SUPER SUPER GOOD. It was also a lovely atmosphere.

Then we got dressed up in fancy clothes and went to Zumanity. It was basically a lot of sexy, incredibly athletic, and very bendy people. Some of the acts were neat (boys in a cage, the rope girl). The clowns were great. I had some issues (why was the cast so white? why were the only sexy black people were animals/"natives" and why only paired with each other? why no girl kissing?) It wasn't as risque as I anticipated. Overall I was very entertained, but not blown away.

Vegas: Wednesday

Wednesday:

We were running a little late so we just grabbed "breakfast" (really lunch) at the food court at Caesar's. My tacos were pretty good.

Caesar's is right now my favorite casino in terms of awesome, over the top, design.

The spa was so great! They have the nifty, four-sprayer showers. The massage therapist was excellent. I spent a lot of time in the cedar sauna. They also had "roman baths" so three pools: hot, medium, and omg so cold I could only go in for a second. I also sat in the "arctic room" to cool down. It had snow! well "snow", but still! Nifty!

Then we went through the shops. I spent maybe a little too much money at Bettie Page buying 50s style dresses. They are so much fun!

Then we went to Planet Hollywood (I think) for cheeseburgers at this kitchy-cool hawaiian-themed place (I had my first mai tai, funny I hadn't had one before, it was too sweet).

Next it was to the Bellagio for O. The show was incredible! Probably my favorite cirque du soleil show (although Varekai is also still up there). Much more satisfying than Zumanity. I loved the visuals and the world-building (and the clowns!). They also had a ton of aerial arts stuff which I especially love after taking trapeze. Water! Fire! More Water! I heart O.

Then we watched the fountain show outside the Bellagio. Pretty.

We popped into the Mirage for a minute. The view from the roof-top parking was nice. Unfortunately the white tiger had moved to a pay area and the Beatles Love store was closed (B. wanted to stop in), but it was nice to see another hotel.

At some point we will get around to gambling a little. Hopefully tomorrow since it is our last day.