Traveling about this holiday season? Save $50 in rideshare trips by downloading the Lyft app (new accounts only!) Much cheaper and convenient than taxis!
https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3271060335410338925#allposts/src=dashboard
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
The Sentinel Hoodoo in Bryce Canyon is Gone
If you waited, it is too late as a famous Bryce Canyon Hoodoo is gone. The Sentinel, a slender hoodoo long visible in the Navajo Loop not far from Thor's Hammer, toppled overnight. Here is a picture before and after as provided by the National park Service.
The Sentinel evidently succumbed to erosion, and especially frost-wedging as cold weather has set into the Utah highlands. The rock formation has been a fun place for photos. In fact, Bryce Canyon is famous for its Hoodoos - the towering pillars of rock which form dazzling shapes and which the Native peoples believe embody spirits.
It is a reminder that the wonders of our National Park System are not guaranteed to always be there. Some are natural losses, like the final erosion of The Sentinel. Other are man-caused losses, like this last year's vandalism of the Racetrack in Death Valley.
In any case, within Bryce Canyon and the nearby Zion National Park there are still countlrss wonders to see and enjoy. There is just one less now.
The Sentinel evidently succumbed to erosion, and especially frost-wedging as cold weather has set into the Utah highlands. The rock formation has been a fun place for photos. In fact, Bryce Canyon is famous for its Hoodoos - the towering pillars of rock which form dazzling shapes and which the Native peoples believe embody spirits.
It is a reminder that the wonders of our National Park System are not guaranteed to always be there. Some are natural losses, like the final erosion of The Sentinel. Other are man-caused losses, like this last year's vandalism of the Racetrack in Death Valley.
In any case, within Bryce Canyon and the nearby Zion National Park there are still countlrss wonders to see and enjoy. There is just one less now.
It is Rodeo Time in Las Vegas
W are coming up on the first week in December. That means it is Rodeo Time in Las Vegas with the National Rodeo Finals going on at the Thomas and Mack Center, Cowboy Christmas downtown and enough events to shake a cowboy hat at! It is boots and big silver belt buckles in Sin City!
Friday, October 28, 2016
Get Up To $50 Free Rides With Lyft
If you have a phone number (smart phone) that does not yet have a Lyft account - here is a referral code that can get you up to $50 in free rides with rideshare platform Lyft.
https://www.lyft.com/invite/LYFTFREELV?route_key=invite&v=OUT
Disclosure: I would receive a referral fee if you down load the app, use the code to activate your free rides and take a ride withing 30 days.
https://www.lyft.com/invite/LYFTFREELV?route_key=invite&v=OUT
Disclosure: I would receive a referral fee if you down load the app, use the code to activate your free rides and take a ride withing 30 days.
Friday, September 23, 2016
Friday, July 8, 2016
Mandalay Bay Installs Largest Roof Top Solar in the World
Mandalay Bay has installed another 5,000 solar panels to its solar farm located on the roof of their convention center. Reports are that Greentech Media now names the MGM Resorts property as having the largest roof top installation in the world.
Well, with 310 days of sun a year in Las Vegas, using solar power is a winning bet for Mandalay Bay. They can do it on a scale few can hope to match.
The original installation was put in during a 2014 upgrade to the convention center. The latest addition brings the number of solar panels to 28,000 covering 26 rooftop acres. MGM Resorts says the array can churn out 8.3 megawatts, enough to power 25% of the Mandalay Bay needs, or the equivalent of powering 1,340 US homes for a year.
I just wish more places were taking advantage of the abundant sun we have here in Nevada.
Well, with 310 days of sun a year in Las Vegas, using solar power is a winning bet for Mandalay Bay. They can do it on a scale few can hope to match.
The original installation was put in during a 2014 upgrade to the convention center. The latest addition brings the number of solar panels to 28,000 covering 26 rooftop acres. MGM Resorts says the array can churn out 8.3 megawatts, enough to power 25% of the Mandalay Bay needs, or the equivalent of powering 1,340 US homes for a year.
I just wish more places were taking advantage of the abundant sun we have here in Nevada.
Thursday, July 7, 2016
Meeting the Guys of Pawn Stars
Fans of the History Channel show Pawn Stars are always asking about the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop, as well as how they can meet the stars of the show, Rick Harrison, Old Man, Hoss and Chumlee.
For many years the answer was "good luck." The Gold and Silver Pawn Shop is open and gets lots of visitors, in fact sometimes during the day the line can stretch around the corner to get in. But for a long time the Pawn Star guys were just never there.
The Rick Harrison spearheaded the opening of Pawn Plaza next door to the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop. Included in the business mix is Rick's Rolling Smoke BBQ. So Rick now has a quasi regular gig when he works at the bar on Friday and Saturday nights at the BBQ. The notices say Rick is "bartending." If by bartending you mean drinking beer, distributing hand shakes and hugs and posing for pictures, AKA schmoozing, then okay, he is bartending.
But nothing reliable at the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop, until now.
After a wildly popular experiment the Pawn Star folks are scheduling regular meet and greet times with members of the show.
Entry is free, but a donation to one of the store's charities of choice is encouraged and the first five people each session to contribute $100 or more get treated to a private lunch with Chumlee, plus one guest, the following day. I am not sure where, but I expect Rick's Rolling Smoke is a likely candidate.
Schedule
Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Main Players (Rick, Old Man, Hoss, Chumlee and other members of the show)
Saturdays 11 a.m. to noon, security guard Antwaun
Saturdays 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. expert Mark Hall Patton
Sundays 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. expert Mark Hall Patton
I assume that not all of the Pawn Star guys will be there every Thursday. They probably will have a pretty full house the first few weeks but after that they will probably start rotating the duty.
But if you are visiting Las Vegas, and like to see the guys who basically started the Las Vegas reality TV show industry, now you have some reliable times to meet.
For many years the answer was "good luck." The Gold and Silver Pawn Shop is open and gets lots of visitors, in fact sometimes during the day the line can stretch around the corner to get in. But for a long time the Pawn Star guys were just never there.
The Rick Harrison spearheaded the opening of Pawn Plaza next door to the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop. Included in the business mix is Rick's Rolling Smoke BBQ. So Rick now has a quasi regular gig when he works at the bar on Friday and Saturday nights at the BBQ. The notices say Rick is "bartending." If by bartending you mean drinking beer, distributing hand shakes and hugs and posing for pictures, AKA schmoozing, then okay, he is bartending.
But nothing reliable at the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop, until now.
After a wildly popular experiment the Pawn Star folks are scheduling regular meet and greet times with members of the show.
Entry is free, but a donation to one of the store's charities of choice is encouraged and the first five people each session to contribute $100 or more get treated to a private lunch with Chumlee, plus one guest, the following day. I am not sure where, but I expect Rick's Rolling Smoke is a likely candidate.
Schedule
Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Main Players (Rick, Old Man, Hoss, Chumlee and other members of the show)
Saturdays 11 a.m. to noon, security guard Antwaun
Saturdays 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. expert Mark Hall Patton
Sundays 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. expert Mark Hall Patton
I assume that not all of the Pawn Star guys will be there every Thursday. They probably will have a pretty full house the first few weeks but after that they will probably start rotating the duty.
But if you are visiting Las Vegas, and like to see the guys who basically started the Las Vegas reality TV show industry, now you have some reliable times to meet.
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
Top Sports Bar and Top Bartender are in Las Vegas
The recent Nightclub and Bar Awards hosted by the Night Club and Bar Convention and Trade Show put Las Vegas in the headlines with some stylish wins - Top Sports Bar and Top Bartender. These are national awards, with winners in different categories coming from places like Chicago, New York, etc, etc. But also Las Vegas cracked the top in two key categories:
TOP SPORTS BAR
The Top Sports Bar was named LeGasse's Stadium in the Palazzo. The Emeril LeGasse, upscale sports corner is one of my favorite places, and I love watching MMA there over a brew and some of their Stadium Nachos
TOP BARTENDER
Best Bartender? That would be Las Vegas' Nectaly Mendoza at Herbs & Rye on West Sahara. This is a new one for me. I live on the other side of town so I've never visited Herbs & Rye. Sounds like a good excuse to hit the other side of town. Don't you think?
TOP SPORTS BAR
TOP BARTENDER
Best Bartender? That would be Las Vegas' Nectaly Mendoza at Herbs & Rye on West Sahara. This is a new one for me. I live on the other side of town so I've never visited Herbs & Rye. Sounds like a good excuse to hit the other side of town. Don't you think?
Monday, July 4, 2016
Miki Sudo Takes Down the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Pink Belt - Third Time!
Las Vegas competitive eater Miki Sudo took home the Pink Belt at the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest at New York's Coney Island, chowing down 38 1/2 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes.
It is the third time Miki has won Nathan's, last year downing 38 dogs and buns.
She has downed up to 40 hot dogs and buns in other competitions. She gives me a belly ache just thinking about it.
You go girl!
It is the third time Miki has won Nathan's, last year downing 38 dogs and buns.
She has downed up to 40 hot dogs and buns in other competitions. She gives me a belly ache just thinking about it.
You go girl!
Caesars Palace Hits the Big 50
This summer Caesars Palace is celebrating its big 50th anniversary. Here is an old postcard I ran across in my research, showing the original complex:
A big place surrounded by desert then. A much bigger place surrounded by a lot now:
To put it in perspective, the smallish building seen in the center of the second pic is the same HUGE building in the back of the property in the first.
Which is why Caesar's is unique. Las Vegas is all about the old law of life that the new is always destroying the old. Want a new resort? Better implode what was standing there before. There is not a lot of adding on new buildings or wings over time.
Caesar's Palace is the grand exception in Las Vegas. It has been adding new things over time - the Colosseum - Forum Shoppes - New Towers - Expanded gaming areas and more as it has grown and adapted.
This summer it is hosting free self-guided tours of the cool spots in Caesars. See you there!
A big place surrounded by desert then. A much bigger place surrounded by a lot now:
To put it in perspective, the smallish building seen in the center of the second pic is the same HUGE building in the back of the property in the first.
Which is why Caesar's is unique. Las Vegas is all about the old law of life that the new is always destroying the old. Want a new resort? Better implode what was standing there before. There is not a lot of adding on new buildings or wings over time.
Caesar's Palace is the grand exception in Las Vegas. It has been adding new things over time - the Colosseum - Forum Shoppes - New Towers - Expanded gaming areas and more as it has grown and adapted.
This summer it is hosting free self-guided tours of the cool spots in Caesars. See you there!
Sunday, July 3, 2016
Las Vegas Getting Ready for the Big Fourth of July Blowout
Fun as in great specials, games, booze, special deals and events as well as a ripping series of fireworks displays.
"Fun" as in a large stretch of Las Vegas Strip being closed to only pedestrian traffic, while more than twice the normal weekend traffic will bring driving to a flat standstill.
My favorite spot to watch the events is the Mon Ami Gabi - if you can land an outdoor table. It has a great views of the traffic on the strip, the Bellagio Fountains, plus a goodly view of fireworks. Also remember - most of the big fireworks shows are happening Sunday evening on the 3rd of July!
Fireworks are scheduled at Caesars Palace, the Stratosphere, Mandalay Bay, Linq Promenade,
My second favorite spot is Downtown on Fremont Street, where three stages of entertainment make for a rollicking 4th celebration.
In each case, expect massive crowds, parking problems, and snail traffic. Get there early and leave yourself plenty of time to get home.
Enjoy and be safe!
Thursday, June 30, 2016
Big Horn Sheep Are in Hemenway Park!
Yes the Big Horn Sheep are in Hemenway Park in Boulder City. It is time to get up close and personal with some wildlife! Errr- okay, don't get toooooooo close, they are wild after all.
Hemenway Park is a favorite hideout for the Big Horn Sheep, and is just off Highway 93 just about a hundred meters north of the road on Ville Drive. That is just as you are coming down the hill to leave Boulder City and head into the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, on the way to Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas.
When the temps hit over 100 (and we are there) the big horn come down out of the hills above. Normally the animals evade flat land like the plague. Up on the rocky mountainsides they are safe since no one can keep up with them. Down in the flat lands they become vulnerable to predators like mountain lions and wolves.
Yet over time these local Big Horn have found that this park is safe. Better yet there is easy grass and plants, but most importantly, SHADE!
When doing tours with groups to the Grand Canyon or Hoover Dam I love to pull over in the afternoon and check out the Big Horn. They are a great photo opportunity.
But PLEASE! Do not approach the herd or try to pet or feed them. The herd has lost a number of members due to a harsh respiratory illness that has decimated their numbers. Of course, they are also wild, not some semi-domesticated petting zoo animal, and if they think you are a threat they will defend themselves.
The Big Horn Sheep basically have all right of way in this region. Last month I was driving along the entrance road to Hoover dam when a Big Horn ewe hopped down onto the road directly in front of me from the rocks above. One word - SEAT BELTS! Okay that's two words but it was a bood thing that everybody in my group had their belts on. The ewe looked at me for a long moment as if wondering why I was interfering with her hop-around. Then she turned and leaped off the road down the escarpment to our right.
Like with all wild life, observe, do not touch.
Hemenway Park is a favorite hideout for the Big Horn Sheep, and is just off Highway 93 just about a hundred meters north of the road on Ville Drive. That is just as you are coming down the hill to leave Boulder City and head into the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, on the way to Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas.
When the temps hit over 100 (and we are there) the big horn come down out of the hills above. Normally the animals evade flat land like the plague. Up on the rocky mountainsides they are safe since no one can keep up with them. Down in the flat lands they become vulnerable to predators like mountain lions and wolves.
Yet over time these local Big Horn have found that this park is safe. Better yet there is easy grass and plants, but most importantly, SHADE!
When doing tours with groups to the Grand Canyon or Hoover Dam I love to pull over in the afternoon and check out the Big Horn. They are a great photo opportunity.
But PLEASE! Do not approach the herd or try to pet or feed them. The herd has lost a number of members due to a harsh respiratory illness that has decimated their numbers. Of course, they are also wild, not some semi-domesticated petting zoo animal, and if they think you are a threat they will defend themselves.
The Big Horn Sheep basically have all right of way in this region. Last month I was driving along the entrance road to Hoover dam when a Big Horn ewe hopped down onto the road directly in front of me from the rocks above. One word - SEAT BELTS! Okay that's two words but it was a bood thing that everybody in my group had their belts on. The ewe looked at me for a long moment as if wondering why I was interfering with her hop-around. Then she turned and leaped off the road down the escarpment to our right.
Like with all wild life, observe, do not touch.
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
Mermaids, Glitter Gulch and La Bayou closed on Fremont Street Experience
The Fremont Street Experience has taken a sad hit with the closing of Mermaids, La Bayou and the Girls of Glitter Gulch. They've been bought out by Derek and Greg Stevens - owners of the D Las Vegas and Golden Gate casinos in the Fremont Street area. The story is they plan to develop all of these into one large casino. So the west end of Fremont Street looks to be choked with construction for the foreseeable future.
And yes, I know it is Las Vegas, and Sin City is all about continuously reinventing yourself, but geesh - I loved those places.
Girls of Glitter Gulch
And yes, I know it is Las Vegas, and Sin City is all about continuously reinventing yourself, but geesh - I loved those places.
Girls of Glitter Gulch
No, I haven't been inside. The GGG is/was downtown's only strip club. And while I had been tempted to take a few hours to check out the goings on and naked ladies inside Glitter Gulch - strictly for tour guide research purposes of course! -I never did. But I am worried about Las Vegas Vicky - the neon cowgirl lighting up the night in front of Glitter Gulch. I sooooo hope that she doesn't get relegated to some back corner of the Neon Museum.
Vicky has a ton of history, and I plan to write a post on her in the coming days.
La Bayou
La Bayou was the very first licensed casino in Nevada - opening as the Northern Club in 1931. It has had a lot of names over the years, including the Monte Carlo Club and Coin Castle. Even sadder, La Bayou was the last holdout of using all coin operated machines. That's right, in today's modern casino environment where you have to worry about cashing in slips of paper, you still heard that satisfying clink-clink-clink-clink of coins paying you off.
As far as I know, only the El Cortez still has any coin operated machines left. Anyone know of any others?
Mermaids
And of course Mermaids - and I have spent a lot of time at this old place. Like most people, I was not interested in the slots but in the fried foods in back. The litany of arterial clogging comestibles was heart warming, including deep fried twinkies, deep fried oreos, deep fried PBJs, as well as cheap hot dogs and drinks.
Confession: On my downtown tours I often release my clients for them to spend 30-60 minutes exploring on their own. Me? I'd head to Mermaids for a drink or a severely unhealthy snack.
What is coming?
Answer: I don't know, although I have liked what the Stevens boys have done at the D and Golden Gate. Still, I have a feeling I am going to miss these old classic Fremont Street Institutions.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)