Family Trip report 4/16- 4/21/05 Part 2
Do
The overall best thing we did was take a trip to "Red Rock canyon". Now I am
not one to be impressed my natural beauty, I much prefer sparkling lights
and themed hotels.
But this was something special. It's one of those places I will use when I
am told to "Go somewhere you want to be in your mind "
It is a driving loop with a bunch of scenic stops.It is way out- about half
an hour drive , in the desert. If you don't live in a part of the country
where there are mountains , you will be in awe. Although there were signs
warning of burros, we didn't see even one. You can rock climb and hike if
you like, we just drove around and stopped to take pics and enjoy the
view.Very beautiful and a nice change from the smokey casino floors.
If you decide to visit there I suggest you bring your own drinks and/picnic.
They had four drink machines and all were empty.
On our way back into the city, we stopped at Bonnie Springs Ranch for
lunch.You can defiantly miss this.We did not stay for the mock hangings or
western shoot outs , we just ate and left.
Another great activity is the Dolphin and White Tiger exhibit at the
Mirage.It was $12 to get in but you can stay as long as you like enjoying
the non-scheduled dolphin activities and watching the tigers and even an
elephant.Trainers walk a round the dolphin pools and feed then as they jump
outta the water and sometimes right up to the edge of the pool, so close you
can touch them.Of course there is a snack shop and several gift shops.This
really isn't your typical Shamu show at all. I highly recommend it.
We went to the Rio [ what a nice hotel/casino ] for the parade in the sky.It
was fun , my kids managed to get some beads but alas, no one threw any to me
:(
Those were our main activities besides some gaming and swimming and going to
the Luxor to see am Imax film.
_Places we ate _
Our first morning we had the Sunday brunch at the Mirage. There was a huge
selection of foods and champagne included. I am most interested in breakfast
foods and they fell short on those items.Very expensive at $20+ per person
including my 10 yr old.
We ate lunch one day at the Rio before going to the show.A woman jumped out
at us as we were entering the buffet and explained that we could have a free
buffet and show tickets if the husband and wife listen to some sales
pitch.My Mom pointed out to her that we didn't have any men or husbands with
us. What was this woman thinking ?
I am not a buffet person except for breakfast , but this one turned out some
really great food. Choices galore and everything was good. The best part was
the gelato for desert offered in several flavors.Really worth checking out.
We did the forum shops and Cheesecake factory. I had the best roasted
artichoke there. All five of us shared 2 orders.I would go back just for
that. What a treat.
We ate a few meals at the Hotel coffee shop which doubles as a noodle
kitchen and of course the Carnegie deli where the food was outstanding. No
dress up dinners this time. Just casual .
I think I may have had enough Vegas for right now.Of course it's different
if you go with friends or a lover . We were there as a family and had a nice
time.
Walt
<dogl...@comcast.net> wrote:
> On our way back into the city, we stopped at Bonnie Springs Ranch for
> lunch.You can defiantly miss this.We did not stay for the mock hangings or
> western shoot outs , we just ate and left.
>
Thanks again for sharing your trip. We went to Bonnie Springs last
November and I think you missed out by not staying to look through the
old buildings and see the skits. Here's what I wrote back then in my
trip report...
"Late morning now. Itąs a nice day, sunny though still on the cool
side. We drive west through Summerlin and past the Red Rock area to
Bonnie Springs Ranch, a tourist attraction featuring a replica of an
Old West town, a petting zoo, a small train ride (not running today),
horseback riding, a restaurant, etc. It all looks pretty dusty, shabby
and rundown, which isnąt surprising since they only charge $7 a carload
to get in.
"We sample the zoo first, and find wire cages filled mostly with exotic
varieties of chickens, doves and pigeons. We also encounter a few
species of wild birds and a couple of free-range peacocks. The mammal
family is represented by a bison, an extremely large cow of some sort,
a little burro, various barnyard livestock and something that might be
an alpaca, though I canąt be sure and donąt really care enough to look
it up.
"Leaving the zoo area, we enter 'Old Nevada', a Wild West town with a
gravel-covered street lined with wooden buildings including a church,
bank, 'opera house', general store (with souvenirs and general
bric-a-brac for sale) and various others. We walk through a wax museum
featuring tableaus of historical figures. Someone obviously put a lot
of work into this place years ago, but thereąs no danger of mistaking
it for Madame Tussaudąs. The figure of President Lincoln looks like it
was refurbished by a committee of 11-year-olds.
"We make our way to the saloon for a 1:30 PM łmelodrama˛ about the
villainous landlord trying to collect the rent (or worse) from the
innocent young woman. Two young guys (one in drag) play the piece
strictly for laughs and they do a great job of getting the 25 or so
audience members involved in cheering, booing or hissing the
characters.
"After this show, the audience moves outside to the town square, an
open area with a dozen or so picnic tables for seating. Itąs getting
chilly now as the sun sinks behind the nearby mountains. The two
actors, now portraying a sheriff and bank robber, are joined by a 3rd
guy playing the dimwitted deputy. Thereąs a shootout with some
surprisingly good ricochet effects and a mock trial with audience
participation, all capped by the bad guyąs inevitable date with the
gallows.
"The actors render it all with cornball humor and wisecracking asides,
but also with a touching dedication to entertaining their audience.
They canąt be making much money out here, but still they put on both
shows three times a day in all kinds of weather. The clerk in the gift
shop says they were performing in the snow last week for an audience of
six.
"I can recommend a visit to Bonnie Springs Ranch. Itąs a cheap day out
and not without a sort of decrepit charm, with the unexpected bonus of
seeing some amusing young actors perform for little more than the sheer
pleasure of it."
--- Walt