Raising Arizona: Seven Come Eleven

Thursday, July 11, 2013
Los Wages, Nevada

Yep, plans are made to be changed. We do our morning thing and walk down the side of our building and into the Wild Wild West Casino because that's the only way to get to Denny's for our free breakfast. We order from the special "vouchers" menu which has three nice choices; but the beverage isn't included. Doesn't matter; we've got to have our coffee!! Today we're trying the first offering, two eggs, two pancakes, one slice of bacon and one sausage. Our waiter lets me swap a bacon for a sausage even though there aren't supposed to be substitutions.

Tummies full we return to our room to gather cameras and such and head out. We are in need of Nature and green, so we're grateful to have read about the Clark County Wetlands Park, even though it doesn't show up on our little map from the front desk. We're pretty sure we can get there; but just in case we stop at a CVS to do a little shopping and glance at the six-dollar map of the city. A glance is all we need and we're off again!

Yea! We go straight to it and stop first at the Visitors' Center to chat with the lone volunteer. He's an older man who loves the new park and shares his knowledge freely. It's only been open since April, so not all the exhibits and such are finished but it's going to be gorgeous! Like the last wetlands park we visited it helps treat reclaimed water; but you don't get the same concentrated aroma here!

The sky is overcast and everyone is hoping that the fire fighters waging war on the Carpenter One fire will get some relief in the form of a southerly wind and thunderstorms. As we approach the first scenic viewpoint it starts to spit. I've got a plastic bag for my camera and don't care if I get wet. Marilyn has a poncho but still wants to head back. Before we even get to the Visitors' Center is has quit, so we look around briefly and head back out to see what else we can see! We bag some turtles, birds, and a bunny!

"Cotton" on a cottonwood tree

Water!!

and greenery!

Desert rabbit..and I spotted him first for a change!

These big guys actually jump out of the water and do a twist in the air!

He's so fluffy!

We figure we've walked three or four miles by three and head back toward The Strip so we can check things out and also find the Fremont Street Experience, which has been highly recommended. Gee! even without a map we can get where we're going! And back again! And now it is definitely time to feed our growling tummies and Ole has told us just where to go!

Luxor from the car while cruising The Strip

Surely you can guess this one!

The city buses are twins and are powered by electric hybrid power.

The Fremont Street Experience is in the original part of Vegas.

The city police are ready for any kind of chase. Note the shorts.

Monta's Japanese Noodle House is a little shop in a strip mall that is part of Las Vegas' Chinatown. It is filled to capacity with Asians, so we know it must be good! A very short wait and two seats open up at the bar (no, not that kind of bar!) Ole told us to order the combination broth and egg and we do, along with one order or dumplings. Holy cow is this delicious! We clean the bowl! We are as full as we can be and very happy!

Monta kitchen staff

Before

....and after!

Back to the room to regroup and out again to Fremont Street. And boy is it ever an experience! This is the original strip with the old casinos we remember from our childhoods! They have closed off Fremont Street and covered it with a ninety-foot tall light canopy that is fifteen hundred feet tall! And then there are the people. If you have the guts to dress up in a costume you can let people take your picture for tips. The bartenders either dance on the bars or juggle whiskey bottles. Spaced out along the street are bands playing a variety of music including the tribute band, Yellow Brick Road, and DJ Lady Go-Go entertains the crowd while she spins platters (yes, real records!). There are kiosks selling anything you might want and, of course, all the casinos are open for your "donations"!

One of the many wedding chapels. This sign seems to have been used before!

One more thing. Have you seen the video of the man who makes a complete artwork in five minutes with spray paint! He's here! And they are amazing! And I buy one! The trick is that the charge-card machine isn't working; but they have another location at the other end of the street. We wander back and find there is another artist working there. The manager at "my" location has called ahead and the new guy is expecting me. Receipt in hand we head back to collect my piece that reminds me of Grand Teton, my quiet place. Along the way we see a couple that appear to be having a high old time right out in front of everyone. They're fully dressed, so I guess it doesn't count?

The Fourth Street entrance to the Experience

juggling bartender

Chippendales getting ready to pose with any and all comers who have the cash!

Got a costume and some guts? Get some cash!

Yellow Brick Road singing Guns 'N' Roses' "Sweet Child of Mine"

My artist; but not my painting. Mine was already finished when we arrived.

DJ Lady Go-Go in action. Don't know what that is in her mouth!

Get your drinks here!

Characters for everyone's tastes! Mario? Sponge Bob? Pretty ladies?

A word or three about the actual Experience! Overhead the lights come on and the casinos' lights all go dim. For six or seven minutes there is a continuous light and music show that is mind blowing! Here are a very few examples!