VEGAS WRAP-UP AND FINDING THE UNUSUAL

March – April, 2019

Anyone else remember when you could go to Vegas and get a coupon book that would entitle the bearer to a days worth of free or cheap stuff?  We’re talking a free slot machine pull or hand or 3 of blackjack at a casino, a 99-cent shrimp cocktail, a free Vegas-review show for a 2-drink minimum, steak and eggs for $3.99 or a bogo buffet for $5.99?  Believe it or not there are still free or inexpensive attractions to do and see on Freemont Street or The Strip – or at least close by.  If you want to find those attractions, and we’ve mentioned this before, check out our favorite websites…you know the ones that are not part of the places normal people look.

#1 cool and unusual thing to do in Vegas is the Neon Museum and Boneyard.  There are still all kinds of wonderful neon signs in and around Freemont Street that are best seen after dark, and yup, the cowboy is still there.

BUT, to learn about the early rough and tumble days a visit to the Boneyard is a must.  Neon is Las Vegas’s most iconic art form, and many of the neon signs from Las Vegas’ past find their final resting place at this graveyard.  Talk about authentic Vegas – even the museum’s visitors center is housed inside the former lobby of the La Concha Motel.  The lobby was moved cinder block by cinder block and reconstructed on site for the museum.  By the way, the Boneyard appeared briefly in the movie “Mars Attacks.”

Of course we had to tour at night!

The Las Vegas Pinball Collectors Club built the Pinball Hall of Fame in a very unassuming warehouse well off the Strip, and features pinball machines and games from all eras including some very rare machines from the early 20th Century.   Since all of the machines are operational, we were sure to bring a couple of rolls of quarters with us.  In the darkened space the newer machines were just an overwhelming display of multiple balls, lights and noises.  We stuck with the older more familiar machines, and we had a great afternoon!

 

Doing some searching online Brian found a statue in Boulder City dedicated to the man who cleaned and supplied the outhouses during the building of the Hoover Dam.  A gotta see, right?

But then looking across the street we saw that there was a great statue of Peter Pan and Tinkerbell.

Had we discovered found art?  Hell yeah!  Boulder City should be very proud of its downtown…it’s a great place to take a walk and wander around. What a pleasant find.

We couldn’t let our time in Vegas pass without a visit to one of the many wedding chapels that were all in a row along a seedy section of Las Vegas Boulevard.  How interesting that these places of “forever bliss in the arms of another” would be across the street from vacant buildings, overnight shelter for Vegas’ homeless and, well, who knows what other activities.

We chose to visit the Little White Chapel, because of its sign advertising 24-hour drive-up service. Directly adjacent and across the parking lot from the Chapel were stores renting wedding attire, selling flowers and champagne – a one-stop shop for your wedding!  No one was in line at the drive-up wedding window, but there were 2-3 couples and their wedding parties waiting for their chance in the chapel.  We suspect that this is one busy place day after day after day.

We had such fun finding sights off of the beaten path.

…The shrine and plaque at The Flamingo Hotel and Casino commemorating the gangster Bugsy Siegel who convinced the east coast mob to put the city on the map…

…and the flamingos at The Flamingo…

…and a truly nice aquarium at the Silverton…

…and Cannabition, the Cannabis Museum…

…

…and The Erotic Heritage Museum…

Ever been to a Holi Festival of Colors?  Neither had we, but the festival was taking place in a park near our campground and we decided to check it out.  We paid our admission fee and bought 5 packets of brightly colored powder.  Turns out the powder is colored talcum – as we found out thankfully and easily removed.

The Holi Festival of Colors is a tradition founded in the culture and religion of India as a celebration of spring, and a feeling of oneness and connection to all people.  Non-stop music is performed, Bollywood dancing is at its best, and we were swept up with the crowds to dance along with the rhythms.  Food, clothing and crafts are for sale.  But the highlight of the festival is the expression of togetherness by the sharing of colors.  We were reluctant (shy? unknowing?) and didn’t know what to do at first, but were each given a big hug by a participant, and then had color tossed our direction by a couple of kids in attendance.   Others came up to us and wanted to color our faces.  We shared our colors and just flat out had a great time!  Not sure, but there just might be a unity of man message as the vision for the festival.  This is definitely one of those “a picture is worth a thousand words” experiences.

Several years ago Brian was in North Las Vegas on business with a colleague from the office (shout out to Bob McCormick).  We were hungry after our appointment and Brian found a BBQ joint in the neighborhood.  It was Barbara and Brian’s turn to enjoy.

John Mull’s Meats and Road Kill Grill is an unassuming butcher/meat market and BBQ joint.  Come on Tuesdays or Thursdays for burnt ends or any day of the week for large portions of everything smoked – sandwich or plate, your choice…ribs, pulled pork, brisket, chicken and sausage, damn good beans and other usual sides, and corn bread all served in styrofoam containers by a quite impressive 6’6″ 275 lbs neckless power lifter with 24 or so inch arms with chest and legs to match (nice guy by the way).  Get yourself some BBQ sauce if you need (isn’t smoke your sauce – really?), a tasty canned beverage, and take your container out the back door past the smokers operating with delicious intent then wander back to the front of the building and have a seat at a picnic table under the pole barn for your feast.  We promise you won’t go wrong!

That’s it for Vegas.  A great wedding, wonderful hikes and scenery, a buffet or 2, 1 bawdy show, and some other fun discoveries.  We found a group in Henderson to continue our playing pickleball, and worked out regularly at Planet Fitness.  The wind never seems to stop blowing, but it is a land of sunshine and the temperatures were in the 70s to low 80s most days.

We left the area excited to be on the way to our next destinations, all of which bring us back to our initial mission of visiting National Parks.

Barbara and Brian