The GlassStacker and I spent a couple of very interesting and relaxing days visiting our friend Sue in Las Vegas, Nevada. I know some of you think we went to Vegas for the gambling but that is definitely not the case. Yeah, I know the Boss did borrow a buck from me and lose it right away in the slots at the Bellagio but I think she just had to get a little of that out of her system. In truth we went for the geology, the art, and to spend some quality time with a friend. Along the way we saw Joshua Trees, the low water at Hoover Dam, lots of rocks and the new O'Callaghan-Tillman bridge.
The Bellagio has an installation of Chihuly glass, something that really interested all of us. While the slot machine was digesting my dollar, the three of us roamed around gawking and soaking in the glass art. To see that much beautiful glass in such an impressive setting without having to pay admission was amazing. The Bellagio also has a conservatory which was in the midst of a switchover from Christmas to the Chinese New Year. There was a crane in operation inside the building so I was thoroughly engrossed. I almost forgot about the lost buck.
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is a must do for the Las Vegas visitor. There are trails of varying difficulty for the more adventurous and a 13 mile car ride with stops at several points of interest. With Sue as our guide we toured the park by car and on foot. The visitor center has numerous and very informative displays on rocks, plants, animals, wind, water, sunlight and all the other things that are part of the park. The geology is interesting with several rock layers and types visible as well as a thrust fault right out there where all the park goers can see it. Only in Vegas would a thrust fault be so uncovered and on public display. We saw three wild burros, a coyote, and a red fox, they all reminded me of the lost buck. Moon rise in Red Rock Canyon was memorable.
On the way to Nevada, and on the way back, we drove the Joshua Forest Parkway which is Arizona Highway 93. The parkway goes through the Joshua Tree forest of Arizona, one of the few, very specific, habitats for these yucca plants. The oldest "trees" were probably well established while our ancestors were living in cold, northern European farmhuts some 30 generations ago. Moonrise over the Joshua Forest with the Weaver Mountains in the background was very memorable.
We took Highway 74 as a short-cut to I17 on the way back. This was a straight shot across the desert just southeast of Wickenburg. Nightfall found us on the seemingly endless freeways of Phoenix, but before long we were in Chandler and back at our home away from home in Mirage Park.
Thank you Sue, for your insights on Las Vegas, your hospitality and for letting us share your home for a couple of days. I know that you and the Boss go back a long way and that the two of you can share first grader jokes, but I really appreciate the time the three of us spent talking and just being together. You are a true friend.
The lost buck?? What happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas.
As always,
The GlassStacker's Assistant
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