I love Las Vegas.Yeah, I know. It’s kind of odd. But it’s not what you think. I’m not out there clubbing, stumbling around in hooker heels and dresses that would fit my 12 year-old daughter. I have fun watching those that do. But that’s about as close as I get.
As I’ve shared on here before, I go to Vegas for the diversity of the food (especially off Las Vegas Blvd.), the bedding at the Wynn, the $18.00 30-minute foot massages in Chinatown and the seedy strip malls where even the CVS has slot machines. And did I mention the food. (Le Thai’s pork jerky is my new weakness.)
But I also go for the different terrains. The desert, the canyons and the mountains. You can go from one to the other in less than 45 minutes. I can’t get any of that in South Florida.When I was out in Las Vegas a few weeks ago, taking Steve Wynn for some coinage on the 25 cent video poker machines, the day time temperature on the Strip was in the high 70s. So we decided to head out of town, to cooler environs.
We woke up early one morning, watched the sunrise outside our panoramic window, and headed off on a hike in the Spring Mountains, 40 minutes outside of the city.
We picked the Fletcher Canyon Trailhead because the parking lot at our first choice, Mary Jane Falls, was under construction. And this trail, ending in a spring, seemed challenging enough for us to work up a sweat without punishing us for drinking too many gratis Stolis on the rocks at the casino the night before.
The temperature was a little cool (48 degrees) when we started out and the sky was a little cloudy. I’m a Florida wimp so I was a little concerned even though I was wearing gloves.
And there was even some snow on the ground.
Then the sun came out and the sky turned a beautiful shade of blue.
We saw all sorts of amazing deadwood “sculptures”.
And enjoyed ourselves in the quiet, temporarily forgetting that not too far away were the crowds, the casinos and the noises of the Strip.
When we were done with our hike, we drove back in to town, stopping at Cafe de Japon and indulging in, among other things, lightly fried curried oysters and this dessert: Butter pears poached in Cabernet and Port, served with chunks of Gorgonzola cheese.
Who am I kidding? It is all about the food.
6 comments
Heather@ That Uncomfortable Itch says:
Apr 12, 2012
Holy moly, you had me at the $18 foot massages. I would spend the entire time there with my feet in paradise. Sounds lovely.
My daughter spends most spring breaks in Vegas. OF course she does. never been but would LOVE to go.
Also, I love the pictures.
Jen @ Lifes Dewlaps says:
Apr 13, 2012
I’m a whore for a foot massage! Next time I’m in Vegas, I’m going to go all out and do a full hour. The massage parlors are on every corner in Chinatown. Heavenly!
Next time I go to Vegas, you should join me. Can’t be too far from where you are, right? Thanks Heather!
Leslie says:
Apr 13, 2012
Great pictures! I would never have thought about this side to visiting Las Vegas.
Jen @ Lifes Dewlaps says:
Apr 13, 2012
Thanks Leslie. This side of Vegas is just so unexpected. Which makes it even more of a treat!
Carole says:
May 3, 2012
Nice post. Las Vegas is on my Top Ten Places I Have Visited
Jen @ Lifes Dewlaps says:
May 3, 2012
Thanks Carole. What’s you’re top place?