Leaving LasVegas... The Hard Way

Glitter Gulch. Sin City. Lost Wages. Whatever name it's called, LasVegas was never our our list of places to visit. We're too stingy (or maybe too smart) to gamble and can't stay awake for the entertainment at night. Our alcohol consumption is minimal and the sight of drunken people disgusts me.

So why did we even stop here? Because we were nearby, we've never been here and it's right along I-15 --going our direction.  Being a fan of old movies and a nostalgic person, Wayne was interested in seeing some of the first landmarks, including Vegas Vic, now part of the Fremont Experience, Caesar's Palace, and some of the newer buildings. Seeing the strip would be worth a day or two even though we're really tired of being dusty.

Some of the Wynn buildings and part of Treasure Island

The Fremont Experience was our first afternoon's destination. We lucked upon a shady parking place, put the dogs into the carriage and walked up a filthy sidewalk into the pedestrian mall along several blocks of Fremont Street that make up Fremont Experience.  It dawned on me that the streets never even got rinsed because it never rains here.  I was reminded of the dirty streets of Key West and the French Quarter in New Orleans -- and it rains there at least.

We hadn't walked 50 yards under the giant canopy of the Fremont Experience before a slender young woman wearing only a pair of pasties, a G-string, high heels, an orange wig and black velvet cape spotted Lexie and Ozzie in their stroller. She ran toward them with arms outstretched. She stooped and loved on both dogs and told me about her childhood pets. She was from Texas, had no family and had been homeless in Arizona for seven years before finding her way to LasVegas. She lives on tips paid for posing in this outrageous get-up. Her lips and short fingernails were the same orange color as the wig she was wearing. Her language was colorful and she was quick to pull the cape over her exposed front when she saw anyone trying to snap a picture without paying.

I wished her well and tried to walk away but she walked with us. What a sight we must have been, a couple of retirees (and certainly dressed like it too), pushing a dog stroller with this very-nearly-naked woman walking and talking like we were old friends.  But finally we did break away but saw her again within a few minutes and she threw up her hand and smiled.  I'll probably not forget that Fremont Experience. No, I did not take a picture of her.

Wayne standing in front of the old Golden Nugget 

Vegas Vic (on the left). Wayne and the pups in the center of the picture.

The second day was spent exploring the new LasVegas Strip and we began in the gargantuan Caesars Palace complex of hotels, restaurants, gaming parlors and shopping areas.  It's an impressive property.

Wayne at the locations of Harrah's, Palazzo and Venetian Hotels 

The Beatles and Cirque Du Soleil are at the Mirage 

A photo op with Johnny Depp at Madame Tussaud Wax Museum 

There are some pretty cool things about the LasVegas strip. In particular, I like the way traffic is managed. There's no street parking -- only moving vehicles use the pavement.  Pedestrians cross mostly on overhead walkways, though there are a few street level crosswalks.  Covered parking is free at any of the strip hotels and that's nice too.  Especially in this heat.  

The LasVegas transit system is a thing of beauty too.  Take a look at Mega Bus; it's clean, quiet and has huge clear windows and it looks like everybody rides these things.    

Our last full day at LasVegas was Easter Sunday and the Hitchin' Post campground kicked off the holiday with a "Jello Shot" hunt.  Hummm. We didn't participate but saw lots of people scouring the place for the treats. In the afternoon, temperatures soared to around 90 degrees and the jello shots continued. Wayne wanted to take a dip in the salt water pool before taking a cool shower but changed his mind when a loud, clearly drunk woman's vulgar obscene language deterred him.  A couple of hours later, as we walked the dogs, the "now even more drunk" woman was walking and swearing and, in a fashion most unlike Wayne, he told her to "shut up".  Well.... that really opened a can of drunken worms as her man friend, who was equally as drunk, jumped into Wayne's face and began with threats.  It was quite a sight. In the end, the drunken man pushed Wayne and the woman's vulgar language became even louder and more vulgar.  After several minutes and plenty of threats, the drunken couple walked away as did Wayne and I.  It was a memorable experience and I still can't understand why Wayne thought it a good idea to lecture a drunk on volume control.  At any rate, I reported the incident to the campground management and suggested they rethink the "jello shot" Easter hunt next year.

But it is LasVegas, after all.

In the end, we didn't take a gondola ride, see the nighttime fountains, volcano eruption, see the view from atop the Stratosphere or even the neon mob museums.  But we did visit LasVegas and because I've written about it here, it's clear that "what happens in Vegas" doesn't really "stay in Vegas".

Virginia City, Nevada: A Gold Rush Day Trip

We awoke to yet another overcast and cold day but decided to make the best of it by taking the 50 mile drive to Virginia City.  DJ and Tom took their car and we took ours so we could separate if needed.  Someone told us the temperatures could be 10 degrees cooler at Virginia City, so we loaded our heavy coats, gloves and winter hats.  NOTE:  It's June 2 -- much too late to be taking a coat anywhere.

First time for me to see this kind of sign.

The clouds began breaking away and sunshine peeked through as we drove. The scenery got better and better as we drove up the winding road from Reno to Virginia City.

We drove along the Geiger Grade Road, named for Davidson Geiger who was responsible for the creation of the toll road built in 1862 connecting the Comstock Lode and the Truckee meadows.  We stopped at the roadside marker placed in his honor.

DJ and Tom at the Geiger marker

The Wayner. Behind him you can see the mountains, valley and Reno below.

DJ

DJ took this "family" photo of us

Now you have to know Tom to appreciate this.  He teases us about Lexie -- calling her "kitty" and swearing he wants nothing to do with a dog. BUT... He's quick to cuddle her anytime he thinks she might be cold.  He's a big softie.

We enjoyed taking pictures and roaming around the rock formations at the site of the Geiger Grade historical marker.  Suddenly and without warning, the sun faded and was replaced by snow.  Yes, it was snowing -- not just frail little flakes, but big wet snow "drops".

Big snow "drops" on DJ

I don't know the name of this mountain range but the view is to the west. The city of Reno is just out of view on the right side of the picture.  Lake Tahoe would be on the other side of the mountains.

The scenery was some of the most beautiful I've ever seen. Photographs just can't do justice to the natural beauty surrounding us.  The sun came out again as we continued out upward treck along the winding road to Virginia City. 

Coming into Virginia City, we stopped at this old cemetery.  Notice the white "V" on the mountainside.
Most cities and towns out here have this white letter indicating the name so it can be seen from the air, I suppose.

Everybody's got a gimmic to separate the tourist from his dollar. 
This old guy's scheme had to do with selling carrots to feed his donkey.

Saint Mary's Church in Virginia City.

We decided to take the 30 minute Virginia & Truckee train ride through the old gold mine area.

The yellowish dust piles remain from old gold mines.

More mining town remnants.  Wayne saw a wild coyote but the coyote was much too quick to photograph.

What is this!  Horrors. 140 school kids on a field trip were on the train with us. Oh joy.
 They loved going through the dark tunnels -- they screamed to the top of their lungs. 

Another old cemetery along the train route.

Remains of an old train tunnel that fell in.

Stage coach rides were available.

Wayne and DJ

Beautiful scenery again on the approach to Reno again.