Intermission #2

We knew we were going to Las Vegas before we even left Juneau - Vegas at Thanksgiving with friends. We also knew that we would be driving the RV cross-country with little to no experience. The last couple of chapters have described this trip but this "intermission" will describe (in part) Vegas itself! First off, we needed a place to stay as we were going to be in town slightly longer than our friends. It was recommended that we try the Clark County Shooting Complex - yes, that's right. The gun range just outside of city limits has terrific rv spots for an inexpensive nightly rate. Granted, during operating hours the noise from the range may interfere with your quiet time but we weren't going to be there much so this was perfect. Situated high above the city lights, the park afforded long pull-through sites with full hook-ups and was private and secure. What we didn't expect was the thrill of seeing the lights of the "strip" blink on just past dusk until the entire skyline was filled with lights. Behind that were the dark,

imposing mountains that ring the city. The range was closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and, as fate would have it, those were the only days during both weeks we were there that we would be in the rv! We spruced up the place as we were going to show her off to our friends when they arrived mid-week and enjoyed a drink and cigar as the lights blinked on.

I can't tell you how excited I was to see my friends from Juneau - I know that it had only been a few months since I had seen them but we all worked together (at least us women!) and I saw them/talked to them every.single.day. I so missed that! It was a world-wind fall season of traveling and new things and this was the pay-off for me. We had a VRBO rental and we had plans to spend Thanksgiving Day and the balance of the weekend there - after arrival, exchanging hugs and catching up, we were off to the excitement of the strip.

Our mornings were spent around the pool in the backyard (too cold to swim as my friend and I found out!), lots of coffee and breakfast most mornings. We realized that valet parking at the strip hotels was as cheap as could be found anywhere so we all piled into the car - clown-car style! - and spent the beautiful sunny days up and down the strip, ducking into beautiful hotel/casino lobbies to view the decorations and popping in and out of the casinos. Thanksgiving Day found us at the Cosmopolitan for buffet dinner at Wicked Spoon that was terrific even after the 2+ hour wait to be seated and then to Blue Man Group at the Luxor. While fun, the REAL excitement was Saturday when we all experienced the ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE.

Yes, people, the nine of us saved ALL of you from the deadly virus that turns people into zombies. To do so, we had to gear up in vests, helmets and goggles, learn how to fire assault rifles equipped with laser and special optics and race through dark, fog-filled rooms being careful not to shoot the "friendlies" all the while looking for clues to stop the catastrophe that would end life as we know it. Before heading off to our mission, our team leaders taught us how to clear a room, kick down doors and fire at zombies. I was petrified at first but quickly became "one" with the rifle and did my share of zombie-killing. It was a true one-of-a-kind experience!

We enjoyed walking into many hotel lobbies that were already decorated for the Christmas holiday. We went to the Bellagio Garden/Conservatory which was amazing, New York New York for the coaster ride and a drink at the outdoor courtyard, the

Stratosphere where some in the group took a ride on the "wild" side by going on the roller coaster at the very top (!), the Wynn which had an amazing outdoor water feature and shopped the canal in the Venetian. We really had fun going to different casinos then we had in the past and look forward to visiting others on a future visit.

Saturday evening was spent on Fremont Street where we had an incredible dinner at Top of Binions Steakhouse with a fantastic view of the city and then music and drinks (in legs!) as we toasted to our friendship, our time in Vegas and to good times in the future.

I've included a map here of our trip so far and where we are going to be until January. Talk about cross-country! Let me know if you have questions about anything - I'd be happy to answer any and all!!