Here's my trip report from my recent trip over Thanksgiving. It's a little unconventional as to itinerary and activities, but since I'm in Las Vegas at least 4-5 times a year (I only live in L.A., which is close), sometimes different is good. If it's not your cuppa tea, fine. If you'd like more info on the locations, etc. of these places, please PM me :-). I am due back in Feb. sometime and it will be a more traditional Vegas trip ;-)
Checked in 24 hours (to the minute) ahead with SWA and got A21.
Since I live about a mile as the crow flies, if that, from LAX, on Tuesday morning, I hopped the local L.A. bus outside my apartment, transferred to the Santa Monica bus #3 and caught a free LAX shuttle to the SWA terminal, all in an hour. The lines were very short---the SWA area was empty---a really unusual sight (took a picture). But for me, checkin and security are usually longer than the short jump to McCarren. Not today. I was through in about 10 minutes and the flight was a bit delayed, so I pulled out my copy of "Weird Las Vegas" and started reading.
The flight was smooth and McCarren likewise uncrowded. Got to the car rental desk and picked up my rental. First stop of the day---Atomic Testing Museum. Had a look at the exhibits and did some holiday shopping for my more scientific-minded friends. Then headed straight up Flamingo, crossed the strip and stopped at Sonic for a cherry limeade (quack for TopekaDucky). Continued up to the 215 and got on, exited at Town Center Drive and stopped at the farmer's Market at Gardens Park in Summerlin. I wanted some lunch and there is a local BBQ company, Hickoryhead, that goes to most of the markets. They do a divine hot sausage sandwich! (learned this on a prior trip). The setting was as far removed from the strip as you could imagine---a grassy park, green trees, hills and a very nive neighborhood ;-), reminded me of L.A. more than Nevada!
Now no longer ravenous, I continued on to Sahara and stopped at the Las Vegas Art Museum to see the current exhibitiopn. Very impressive work from locally developed talent. Back down Sahara, crossed the strip and headed to my accommodation, the LVR Chapman Bed and Breakfast
It is located in the once tony and once again re emeging neighborhood of Hilldale-Marycrest, on Chapman near St. Louis and 15th. In the 50's and 60's, this was the place to live (Elvis and Liberace's mom both had homes nearby) and the architecural variations are unbelievable. Everything from the classic 'box' home devoid of windows to desert trendy at its heyday to homes that look like they belonged in the midwest/south/wherever. The area is a very old neighborhood---you can tell by the massive trees that grow everywhere. Most of them are being renovated and those who have bought into the area are talking about the rebirth of the locale. It reminded me of similar rediscoveries in San Francisco, London and even here in my hometown. Let's call the whole location a delightfully eclectic work in progress!
James, the host, was gracious and welcoming and loved the loaf of homemade pupmpkin chocolate chip bread I brought for everyone to enjoy. We had a full house. My room was a patio suite just off the pool and the house is a one story ranch house that had been built with nine bedrooms!
Changed and headed back up Sahara to the Bonanza Gift Shop for a little more shopping (Vegas gifts are always well received) then went further up to Sherry Goldstein's Yoga Sanctuary . Took a candlelight class from 5:30-6:30, a tranquil and zen like experience that relaxed me and got me into the right frame of mind for the rest of my vacation. (I'm into sports so always find a yoga studio and use the local Y, too, wherever I travel). The class was perfection. From the parking lot, I could see the twinkling lights of the strip downhill, reminding me that Vegas is many things and many places.
On the way back I stopped at a uniquely Las Vegas store, the Red Shoe Boutique on Sahara just up from the strip. It caters to dancers, professional entertainers, etc. Sensory overload is an understatement! This place has to be seen to believed (kind of like Serge's Showgirl Wigs further down Sahara). Didn't buy anything (this trip! <g>) but looked and tried on lots of interesting footwear.
Back to my digs, cleaned up and changed, and went downtown. Since I'd be up the next morning early for Death Valley, I sipped at a slushie very slowly. There were tons of people around, from all over. I didn't brave a deep fried twinkie (my gallbladder has been funny lately) this time but know I will do it on the next trip. I won $15.00 on a slot at the Golden Nugget and decided that was a good thing, but then called it a night as I was tired, recovering from a bout with the flu and due up very early the next day. As I got back, the temp was falling fast---desert cold!
To be continued.
