Monday, May 30, 2011

Turning 60!

Russell really did all that was possible to make sure I had a gentle landing at 60 this week. We shopped, watched movies, swam, and visited 2 canyon parks in the Las Vegas vicinity. Both were wonderful and we had great hikes.

On Friday morning, the last day of being in my 50's, Russell wished me an early Happy Birthday and told me that the place he had selected for dinner was best on Friday. OK, when and what do I wear?

We arrived at McCormick & Schmick's a little early, so a martini at the bar sounded good, and it was. We were taken to the table and presented with menus that said, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TERRIE!!!" Very Cool! Russell suggested an appetizer, another treat! This evening is going very nicely. But he kept hemming and hawing over the menu, just couldn't decide what to order. The waiter appeared a couple of times just to check on us. Nice.

A masculine hand rested on my back (this waiter is really getting chummy) when I saw Karyn and heard Kyle, "Happy Birthday, Mom." I totally lost all composure! Later Kyle commented that I was trying so hard not to cry and be loud that I resembled the whale mating call. He claimed that lobsters awaiting their diners were looking for me. The three of them completely surprised me. Russell was about to run out of ideas to stall for his son who was again running late. The only non-surprise of the evening!

During our delicious dinner, I learned that K&K had tickets for Barenaked Ladies at the Red Rock Casino that night. I love this very-definitely-clothed-guy band from the 90's. It was a very fun SRO concert outdoors poolside.

Back to the dinner, more was to come. Russell had gotten 4 tickets for the Gladys Knight concert for Saturday. More whale/lobster calling. I had tried to get tickets on line only to find that none were available, so was really shocked by this latest revelation. What a great birthday and it was still a day early.

We had a relaxing day with K&K on Saturday, Russell cooked a wonderful steak dinner here at home and then went to a fabulous Gladys Knight evening. She was amazing! Old songs and new, gospel and rock, torch songs and dancing. Gladys introduced her brother Bubba, a Pip, literally. This 69 year old man sang and danced with an energy I don't think I ever possessed. All 4 of us enjoyed it equally. It was Gladys' 67th birthday. So her band played the usual. Our table sang to me! I don't think Gladys was offended.

We ended our weekend with a Sunday Brunch at Green Valley Ranch Casino before taking Kyle and Karyn to the airport. They were just wonderful to give their weekend to come play with us. Russell outdid himself on this one. The gift of yourself and your time to do things just because another person wants to is really the most loving one possible. I'm still grinning!

Today was laundry and groceries. Tomorrow we are headed east. So life is back to normal. But I really had a very gentle introduction to the 60's. I guess the 6th decade will be just fine!

Monday, May 23, 2011

Valley of Fire State Park

I have read about this terrific park since we were in Vegas last year and really wanted to make the 50m trek to see it this go-round. We had had enough of the urban and made the drive on Sunday afternoon.

Deserts are all different! Seems odd to say, but we had driven northwest a few weeks ago and this drive northeast was way different. You leave town sooner, for one thing. Nellis AFB may be somewhat responsible for that because they occupy most of the area. It is much drier as evidenced by scant, puny vegetation. The surrounding mountains are grassy at best, mostly rock. Not even a Joshua Tree or yucca breaks the landscape. This range is called the Muddy Mountains. I can't imagine how long ago they were ever wet, but the color certainly captures the right image.

None of this prepares you for the splash of reds that break loose once you approach the park. It is reminiscent of Bryce Canyon, Red Rock Canyon or Sedona, but some of the formations are unique. Our first stop was the Beehives, swirly rocks with wild wind/sand-made hash marks that dot the flatter landscape. Past the visitor center you climb into huge red and orange boulders that are streaked in white and broad canvases of black oxidation. A sandy floor with small shrubs and grasses separates formations. We were fortunate that many are still in bloom!

We stopped for a short hike to the Mouse's Tank, named for a Piute Indian infamous to the area. I was excited because this is the trail that boasts the most petroglyphs of the area. We entered with our usual "Get some exercise" approach to a hike no matter where we are. We spotted the first drawings on one of those black surfaces of a rock at about eye level. Wonderful, crude etchings that communicate to us from hundreds of years ago. We began to see more as our eyes got trained. Russell got really good at spotting lone pictures and some that were fading as the black top layer wears away. He really worked to help me see things that were perfectly obvious to him.

We got to the tank, a little bit of water and turned to make our way back to the car. The more we walked, the more these pictoglyphs popped out at us. They were EVERYWHERE! The very best were right at the trailhead. Just goes to show that you have to slow down sometimes.

Our trip was further enhanced by Phillip, Nicholas and their parents. Their Dad had a high-powered zoom and was able to point us to some of the higher art that we would not have seen otherwise. We had to wonder how did those guys get up there? Phillip is 6 and somewhat vocal about the "long" walk of half a mile. But really, walking in sand is way different than a hard top. We enjoyed seeing the walk from his angle.

Our next stop was cut short by the late time and waning energy. We did get to see the wonderful shades of red, purple, yellow, and much more along the Rainbow Trail. We got to see less than half of the 1.75m trek. Next trip! There are about 20 scenic stops on the park map and additional trails. We only got to 3 of them, there will be a next trip!

Pictures to follow, that is another story!

Friday, May 13, 2011

Las Vegas, NV

Random Thoughts in May

We arrived in gale force winds and chilly temps, April 29. "Hope it warms up soon!"

Since then, we've had very hot afternoons with little or no breeze; rain (yes!); more wind; cool mornings and evenings, a lovely sunshine most days. I'm quite certain that ol' sol will get quite hellish before long, but for now it is nice to have such bright skies, most of the time. One morning this week, I was actually treated to a full rainbow! It made the chilly, dampness all worthwhile.

We have driven back out to the Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge. Very strange experience. Coming in, we could see the dam and Lake Mead behind it, breath-taking. Going back in the Saturn, nothing, just concrete sides. We couldn't tell if we had crossed the bridge or not! We had to turn around and go back after traveling a few miles into Arizona. We really do sit higher in the RV! Never realized just how much.

We did enjoy the walk across the bridge. Pedestrians are allowed on the dam side only. I would like to see the river and south view as well, but there is no access on that side. We were all alone to walk the bridge going east. It was so peaceful and lovely. The colors were deeper at that early hour than when we saw it at noon. As we made our way back west, a small crowd had arrived. The last of the group was a man with his bugle. His mournful sound carried over the bridge and into the canyon. Just amazing!

I was very unhappy however, that I couldn't capture all of this on our new camera. I figured it was a dead battery, but it was really broken and getting repaired. I miss having it.

On Mother's Day we took a drive to the ski area an hour to the west. We found a nice campground, lots of snow, a few hikers, and 3 girls wearing jackets, shorts and sandals flying kites. The road ends on top of a cliff that caught the winds perfectly. We walked a short bit on a beautiful trail at 7000 ft through the pines and 40 degrees before descending back to sparse cacti and 80 degrees at 3000 ft.

We followed that with a walk through the historic Sahara Casino which closes its doors on May 16 for the final time. It was opened in 1952 for the glamorous and rich to play. On May 9, 2011 it was skeletal at best. Today's big draw - $1 hot dogs. I wish we could have seen it at its peek instead of just imagining its former glory.

Otherwise, our days are rather mundane. We see the sites of Albertson's, Lowes, and a few buffets. I did win $2 on the penny slots last night, not bad on a $5 investment! The pool calls our names, but so does the laundry room. All things returning to normal.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Catching Up After a Long Absence

You may know that we lost Russell's Mom on April 17th, exactly 2 months shy of her 88th birthday. She has been in failing health for several years and too weak to hold her own weight for the last few months. We elected to not add to her confusion by moving her to a nursing home and instead moved in to be with her. It was a period of confusion, frustration, and many funny stories. We also had time to enjoy being together and reflect on what's ahead. Betty was able to leave her failed body and rejoin all of the people she was missing here on earth. As our friend Linda said, "She is living again!"

However, we were ready to hit the road again and resume our own lives. We did that, leaving Texas for the first time since October. We drove a new route through west Texas in hopes of missing the many fires, but you can't miss the evidence of fire much anywhere in west Texas. We know the consequences of fire and felt terrible for the people involved.

We saw majestic sunrises and sunsets driving through New Mexico and Arizona and talked about the place we have been. We speculated about others that we will have to stop and see; next time.

One dramatic difference from our last trip west was the stretch north of Kingman, AZ approaching the Nevada border. Last year the road and bridge bypass over Hoover Dam were under construction and an absolute nightmare. All of that is finished! The new highway is beautiful and a dream to drive. We were especially excited to see Hoover Dam from the bridge and the view did not disappoint. We will go back soon to park and walk the bridge for the full effect.

Over the last years of travel, we have used the opportunity to investigate real estate and the prospects of living outside of Texas. We've checked out high-rises in cities and raw property in the countryside, cabins in the mountains and bungalows on the shore. We've considered cost of property, taxes, ease of living, winter climate, availability of health care and nearby activities. We want to continue RVing, just have a home-base for winter.

When Russell saw an article about Las Vegas, it seemed a natural choice to both of us. The city was attractive for all of the above reasons and made even more feasible by the very anemic housing market here. Luxury cars are more expensive than some of the condos we've seen. We have narrowed the field and hope to have a winter home soon. We will put out the "OPEN" sign and expect company! However, there is much to be done...like actually making a purchase!

We are enjoying Vegas for the month, affirming that this really is a place of diverse activities, but we are talking about the next destination. As Russell's cousin Gary said, "You just wonder what's over the next hill!"