For those who have never been to Las Vegas, the good shows are very pricey, but, there are deals to be found. A case in point, 2 years ago when we were here, we wanted to see the Blue Man Group. Average tickets are around $150, but, we managed to get them for $15 each if we would go hear a sales pitch for timeshares. So, like I said, there are bargains out there, you just have to look for them.

We were supposed to leave tomorrow, but, a part for our Shurlo water pump, that was supposed to be sent last Monday, instead got sent on Wednesday. It's supposed to get here on Tuesday, so we're going to stay another night and see if it appears. We had planned on getting to the Grand Canyon KOA, where we're going to be working for the summer, on Tuesday and we might still get there on that day, but, if not, Wednesday for sure. We start work on Sunday the 15th.

After we left Circus, Circus, we went to the Venetian and the Palazzo to look at their shops and the inside of the casinos. In the Venetian, they have canals with gondolas to ride, pretty pricey, though at $16 for only about 13 minutes of ride. I think I'd rather wait and go on the real thing in Venice.

They even have miniature golf, a roller coaster and a log ride

This is called Leap Frog for little kids to get them ready for the big rides, so cute

See what I mean about the net?

Yesterday, to beat the heat, we went to Circus, Circus. I had never been there and wanted to see what it looked like inside. It's different from the newer casinos. The gift shops are part of the main casino which is nice, you don't have to walk all over the place. If you have kids, it's the place to go. There is a midway, with games for everyone, plus circus acts. I thought the acts were continuous, but, it's every 50 minutes. Also, if you do go, don't sit on the bleachers, the big net above prevents you from seeing any of the acts in the air.

We spotted this little guy in the rocks

This is from the dam looking at the lake and back at the bridge

We also went out to Hoover Dam to see and walk on the new bridge they built and opened late last year. That will take all of the traffic off the dam and not create such a bottleneck. Last time we went to the dam, about two years ago, the parking structure nearest the dam was free. This year, that same parking lot is $7!! You know, I used to go there long ago and everything was free or near free. They have just ruined it by greed. If they need money to pay for the bridge, why don't they just charge a toll...

Inside the Bellagio Conservatory and lobby, yes, that is a real butterfly and in the top picture, the flowers are made of glass

Scenes outside the Bellagio

Sights at the Forum Shops

Another day we went sightseeing in the late afternoon, so that when it became dark, we could go watch the musical fountains at the Bellagio.

Kinda scary, huh?

Pieces of the World Trade Center

One of the days, we decided to go to the Atomic Testing Museum, it was very interesting reading about the atomic bombs they set off in the desert. What's amazing is that in some parts of the city, they could actually see the cloud. I don't know if I would feel that safe watching something like that going off...

In one part of the museum, they were showing how Las Vegas came to be and how organized crime fit into the picture with them owning a lot of the casinos. When Howard Hughes came to town, he bought out a lot of the casinos that were owned by the mob. An interesting fact was that Caesars Palace was completely financed by Jimmy Hoffa, the head of the Teamsters Union, from money he skimmed off of his employees pensions...

Boulder Beach campground is where the greenery is

Me, Donna and Bob at Boulder Beach Campground

Sunday, May 8th

Happy Mother's Day to all my girl friends! We are spending a quiet day at home, it is cloudy, windy and at least 10 degrees cooler than yesterday, which is just fine by us! We'll be celebrating the day by getting a pizza later.

We are still in Las Vegas, seeing the sights all around. Last week, we went to visit Bob & Donna at their campground at Boulder Beach at Lake Mead. I remember being at this very beach back in the late 60's/early 70's and the water was much closer to the campground, then. They are saying the lake is supposed to rise about 12 feet after all the snow melts from up north, but, even then, it's a drop in the bucket compared to how low it's gotten.