My OperaLeaving Las Vegas – Show Me The Money
Friday, July 7, 2006 12:13:58 AM
From: Las Vegas
To: Valley of Fire State Park
Miles: 137
MPG: 45.7
We started the day in Vegas and ended about 45 miles away, but a straight line would be way too obvious.
First stop on our circuitous route was downtown Las Vegas, where all of the old-school casinos were. Mostly it’s an outdoor neon sign museum, though if you are looking for the Vegas where the food is cheap and the booze is free, this is the place.
With a few random showgirls thrown in.
Before we left, we realized that we had yet to gamble a cent, so after careful consideration, Jessica set our “gaming” budget.
She tried the quarter slots, but clearly did not have the touch.
Apparently some of the ol’ “Showgirl Luck” rubbed off on Jon, and in short order he had made $3.50 on our original $1. Man, with skilz like that, he should go to Wall St., not BCG.
Figuring it was best to quit while we were ahead, we left for the official neon sign bone-yard, where all of the signs from imploded casinos go to die. Found a few we would love to have in the game room we don’t have. $3.50 in winnings doesn’t get you too far either.
Last stop on the way out of town was the historic “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign. Some people lie to do first things first; we like to do things backwards.
Next stop, the Hoover Dam. Yup, we took the dam tour. It was dam interesting. Pretty dam big dam. (Note: Jon wrote that last part; Jessica was not impressed).
From the dam it was off to the Valley of Fire State Park. Thanks to Al Donovan, who recently reminded us of the famous Poodle Dog Rock, we decided that we had to stop and see it. Unfortunately, the information desk was closed and we hadn’t even the slightest idea where the rock was, so we set up camp and took a hike in the desert, ready to get up bright and early and find the poodle. Stay tuned, true believers, for more fun…
To: Valley of Fire State Park
Miles: 137
MPG: 45.7
We started the day in Vegas and ended about 45 miles away, but a straight line would be way too obvious.
First stop on our circuitous route was downtown Las Vegas, where all of the old-school casinos were. Mostly it’s an outdoor neon sign museum, though if you are looking for the Vegas where the food is cheap and the booze is free, this is the place.
With a few random showgirls thrown in.
Before we left, we realized that we had yet to gamble a cent, so after careful consideration, Jessica set our “gaming” budget.
She tried the quarter slots, but clearly did not have the touch.
Apparently some of the ol’ “Showgirl Luck” rubbed off on Jon, and in short order he had made $3.50 on our original $1. Man, with skilz like that, he should go to Wall St., not BCG.
Figuring it was best to quit while we were ahead, we left for the official neon sign bone-yard, where all of the signs from imploded casinos go to die. Found a few we would love to have in the game room we don’t have. $3.50 in winnings doesn’t get you too far either.
Last stop on the way out of town was the historic “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign. Some people lie to do first things first; we like to do things backwards.
Next stop, the Hoover Dam. Yup, we took the dam tour. It was dam interesting. Pretty dam big dam. (Note: Jon wrote that last part; Jessica was not impressed).
From the dam it was off to the Valley of Fire State Park. Thanks to Al Donovan, who recently reminded us of the famous Poodle Dog Rock, we decided that we had to stop and see it. Unfortunately, the information desk was closed and we hadn’t even the slightest idea where the rock was, so we set up camp and took a hike in the desert, ready to get up bright and early and find the poodle. Stay tuned, true believers, for more fun…
