Sights and Lights

Good day to you and you and you! It is November 7, 2022, and Monday. You made it to see another day and that is a great thing. Last week, we went on a trip to Las Vegas, Nevada, as I mentioned in my last post. Really, I was ready to get away from our fur kids and was longing for a sneeze free morning. The last time we were in Las Vegas, we didn’t get a chance to see an of the sights as we had also spent a day exploring St. George, Utah. This time, we spent three days and two nights in Sin City, and it was so much fun. Personally, I love Vegas, well, I love the memories that I have of the place. It was one of the only places (I remember) that our family went to for family vacations. Our parents booked rooms every July for four days and three nights at Circus Circus. Back then, quarters were spent on carnival games. Life was simple. Now, Las Vegas has many attractions, that are family friendly besides the game floor at Circus Circus.

The room was on the 17th floor and had a view of the Downtown Convert Stage.

On this trip, we had plenty of glorious time to explore. We had traveled to Las Vegas as Hubby’s family was there for a convention. They had obligations that they had to attend which left us with plenty of time to explore. Hubby had booked a hotel room at the 4 Queens, locate on Freemont Street. We had arrived a few hours before check-in, so we met up with Hubby’s family and headed over to the Pinball Museum. Even though Hubby and I had been there before, we were happy to go back to play a few games.

I didn’t take make photos in the Pinball Museum as I was too busy trying to spend my quarters. We spent around an hour there before we headed back to the hotel to check in. Honestly, at that point in the trip, I needed a nap, so it was nice to get to our room to relax. This would be the first time in my 52 years that I got to stay at that hotel. I was not sure what to expect, as the last time that we had stayed in Vegas in a hotel with a casino, everything smelled like cigarette smoke. I thought for sure, our room was going to wreak. It didn’t smell at all. It was quite pleasant, and I laughed when I looked down at the table in front of the window and saw and ashtray with matches. Hubby mentioned that all rooms at the 4 Queens are smoking rooms, but really, I was impressed.

If you squint, you can see the concert stage.

The room was clean and spacious. As I mentioned, it was a smoking room, they all were, but I really couldn’t tell. The only thing I would have wanted was a refrigerator as the ice machine on our floor was not working. The only drawback was that the hotel is located on Freemont Street. This street has live entertainment, seven nights a week, till 1 AM. Even on the 17th floor, we could still hear the bands that were performing. I imagine this is what Bourbon Street must be like in New Orleans.

There are many street performers, like the showgirls above, that work on Freemont Street.

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We walked along Freemont Street and over to the Downtown Container Park. It is an open-air park comprised of shipping containers containing stores and restaurants. The place if a great spot for a date night or to get away from the hustle and bustle of the casinos.

If you so desire, you can leave a “love-lock on the DTLV sign.

There are lots of nooks and places to sit and look at the lights and people watch. I found a cool display for Halloween, so we took a few photos.

Thank goodness we were tired from the long trip and all the walking as we both fell asleep quickly, even though we could hear festivities on Freemont Street below. The next morning, Hubby asked me what I wanted to do before our trip to Area 15 to check out Omega Mart. I suggested we drive around Summerlin and check out a few parks. I had mentioned Mt. Charleston, but we didn’t have time that day. Summerlin is a suburb of Las Vegas and reminded me of La Quinta, CA. We checked out Cottonwood Canyon Park. It was a nice park, but it was so cold that we only stayed a few minutes. After that, we headed to Red Rock Resort Casino & Spa as I knew that Gordon Ramsay has a restaurant there. I did not take photos there but hopefully, on our next trip to Vegas, e can stay there as it is off the strip and all the Las Vegas crowds and traffic. There is also a mall and plenty of places to eat, that weren’t Ramsay’s. Next stop for us, was Omega Mart.

Omega Mart is an experience located in Area 15 created by Meow Wolf. In Omega Mart, it appears to be a grocery store, but when you start to read product labels, you realize that everything is not what it seems.

I was a little worried as I walked through the exhibit as I have seizures and there were a few times when I could feel something brewing. For anyone with seizures, I do not recommend this event as there are many bright, moving and strobing lights. Our purchased ticket allowed us an hour inside Omega Mart. We did not get to see everything but hope to come back again to continue exploring. Also, we would like to hang out and check out the other attractions like Lost Spirits and Iluminarium. We highly recommend visiting. Here are a few more shots outside.

The next day, we had plans to meet his family for lunch at their hotel. We had a few hours to kill, so we checked out early and took a drive to Red Rock Canyon. The last time that I had been on that road was with my friend Arlene and her brother and sister-in-law. The car that we were in had broken down just as we started to route to the Mt. Charleston lodge. That by the way, was a very fun trip and one of my favorite Las Vegas memories with my friend Arlene. Here are a few of the phots I shot while we were there.

The first time that I had been to this park, was back in the 70s. Our Dad had taken us on the 13-mile scenic drive. Unfortunately, you have to make reservations for this drive a few days in advance. I was not able to secure a spot so we will have to come back again, right?!? At the time of the morning that were there it was around 48 degrees and too cold for me and my light clothing, so we mainly stayed in the car. I have this on a list of places that I would like to return to in the near future. Hope to do the drive next time.

Finally, after we had lunch with his family, he got back on the freeway and headed back the way we came. On the way, I had noticed a sign for Nelson Ghost town. Hubby said that we could stop and check it out on the way home. I am so glad that we did! Nelson, Nevada is a ghost town located just near Searchlight, NV off of highway 95. The views were spectacular, and I was oohing and aahing as we drove up the road.

This road ends at the Colorado River.

We checked in, as that is what the many signs indicate. We stepped inside the visitors center and spoke with the lady working at the center. She told me a little about the cast iron fireplace as I warmed my hands near it.

I really want one now.

We only hung out there for a few minutes as the lady I had spoken to said there was a wedding happening in a few hours. Honestly, at that point in our trip, we were both tired and ready to get home to see our animals. So, we quickly looked around, snapped a few pictures and headed home. The remained of the ride was easy, we got a little rain here and there but nothing major. One thing that was nice was all the clouds in the sky. It made a spectacular sunset.

This was on the 93 this past Thursday.

Our trip ended a little after 7 PM this past Thursday. Hubby drove around 600 miles in total. I am sure that we will be back there again. I already have a list of things to do for the next time. If you are looking for things to do the next time you are in Las Vegas, do check out any of the mentioned places we visited.

Thank you, dear reader, for visiting. may your day be filled with many happy surprises. Hugs!