Over Christmas we had the opportunity to go to Las Vegas as that was the airport we flew in and out of to visit Steven's family. Well, our anniversary is January 5th - so we celebrated early. Our Vegas adventures were to include the Broadway show The Lion King, dinner, festivities and other merriment (maybe some gambling?). However, things never go as planned. After dropping Amanda off at the airport on Thursday we couldn't check into our hotel until 3pm. The Lion King was that night and we figured we would just walk the strip afterwards, so we drove around, went to a camera shop and had lunch. I had not been feeling well the day before and between the time we left the airport and went to eat lunch I was starting to feel really nauseous. So much so that I tried to throw up before eating lunch but couldn't.
After lunch, even though I was feeling terrible, we decided to drive over the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop (Pawn Stars!). By the time we got there I knew I was going to get sick. It was awful. We didn't go inside and instead just sat in the parking lot. After about 15 minutes, even though it wasn't 3:00 yet, Steven suggested trying to go to the hotel early and see if they had our room ready. Not two blocks from the Pawn Shop I made Steven pull over. I'm so glad I "lost my cookies" on a deserted side street and not in the hotel lobby! Thinking that was the last of it, we checked in, took a quick nap and then went to catch The Lion King.
To make a long story short, we got on the monorail and rode the whole strip to the MGM Grand. I got sick in the bathroom, we ate dinner at the food court (I had a milkshake) and then STILL tried to go see the show. I was really determined. After about 10 minutes of walking we were supposed to get on a tram to go to the Mandalay Bay where the show was. I just knew I wouldn't make it. I looked at Steven, almost in tears, "I don't think we can go. I'm not going to make it." I'm not sure how he felt about it because at that moment I really didn't care about anything else except getting back to the hotel. I don't remember the last time I felt that miserable. We at least made it back to the MGM Grand before I lost it in some bushes (and totally grossed out a bystander). Back on the monorail we go! One more time I deposited the contents of my stomach in a trash can - and unfortunately this time there were quite a few people. Back in the hotel room we ordered an in-house movie (Captain America - $13), I got sick again & finally fell asleep.
Not in the plan.
They wouldn't give us refund on tickets - boo. But that's OK. The next day I was feeling much better (thank goodness it was a 24 hour bug and not a three day bug!), although I was apprehensive to eat anything heavy. After searching things to do in Las Vegas, we settled on visiting Red Rock Canyon. It was incredible! Besides the fact that we hiked two miles in street clothes (at one point I felt so weak I didn't think I was going to make it!), it was really fun. It's actually a 13 mile scenic drive with lots of great hiking. I wish we would have been better prepared. That night we came back & went to Benihanna's for dinner (yummo!) and then walked the strip. All in all it turned out OK but I was ready to come home.
And now, here I present Las Vegas in pictures (and no, you don't get any pictures of me sick, let's just skip that day, shall we?):
Hello, Mr. Really Cool Looking Lizard!
Doesn't this picture look fake? Well, it isn't. It isn't HDR either - that's really how incredible the landscape at Red Rock Canyon was (do you see where it got its name?).
To get an idea of how big the rocks are, follow Steven's shoulder over to the right until you find people. Do you see them? One person is wearing red & there are several other standing nearby. It's much bigger than you would think!
Right in the middle, bottom part of the rock, mountain, whatever you will call it is a wall. Do you see the rock climbers? Crazy.
Another landscape shot - sorry there's a lot of these!
Steven and his "walking stick". AKA - natural flora that he mercilessly plucked. Ok, fine, he found it propped against a rock that someone else had picked off, but still!
Rock, rock everywhere!
Yay! A picture of the two of us (courtesy of the nice man we met while hiking). And yes, we hiked in those clothes. See? Not very "outdoorsy".
More landscape shots! I couldn't resist - it was so breathtaking. And I love how the sun is hitting that hillside in the picture directly above. Wowza.
And now, the strip. And all its glory (if you can call it that).
I was also going to bring my boombox! Darn! But I was thinking that I would look too 1980ish. Thoughts?
The Venetian - so pretty! I love lights that make everything look awesome, even if they're not. There was also the world's smallest ice rink just to the left of the boat (you can see a young ice skater hanging out rink side). All the hotels still had their Christmas decor up which made it all look extra splendid.
So that's what happened to Minnie Mouse! And no, that's not soda she's drinking.
I think they were just as surprised to see us! Who are these people? One "couple" (I will call them that because they were in Mickey & Minnie costumes) was asked by some very drunk people if their friend could wear Minnie's head and take a photo with Mickey. Minnie turned out to be a real shady grandma with greasy hair. Ewwwww....
Its iconic.
Right outside the Bellagio were the "Jesus" people. Although I don't really see Jesus arguing with bystanders. Preaching a complete message of repent and be saved, maybe. Arguing, no. The strip is so weird. If you haven't been to Vegas you're really not missing much. It's crazy. And not 25 feet down the street from this religious ensemble were two scantily clad young females with wings and halos taking pictures with anyone who would pay a dollar. It really is sin city. And I can see why the above religious group above would be trying to bring about awareness of the sin that is going on there, I just question their effectiveness in sharing a complete Gospel message and not sending a mixed message of who Jesus can and cannot receive (if they repent and believe). Anyways, I'm not taking a soap box on this issue. So, moving on...
Yay, we made it to our destination. Two miles later and we reached the Bellagio (mostly to watch the water show, which is pretty cool).
And, one last picture. Because what's Las Vegas without the man who appears to be a statue but really moves when you're not looking and likes to creep out those passing by?
