Tuesday 11 July 2023

VEGAS BABY!!!

 Vegas Trip

Yay, made it to Vegas for 5 days of sun, fun, shows, and Caching!!!

(June 29) Day 1:

Flew into Vegas and got to grab 5 quick stages of an Adventure Lab as we got to the Airport. We answered the questions later on back at the hotel. That is one of the good things about AL's is that once the stages are open, they can be answered from anywhere, later on.
We headed out for a show this evening and then afterward, we walked down the strip for awhile. Susan was able to grab 3 Virtual Caches that I had already done back in August 2015 during my first Magic Live convention, when I walked 6.8KM from the Orleans Hotel in the morning heat. Yikes!!
We also got 2 stages of an AL on the strip.

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(June 30) Day 2:

Got up early the next morning, grabbed some breakfast and headed out for a big day of sightseeing and caching in 43C weather. We headed to the Famous Iconic "Welcome to Las Vegas Sign"


Besides taking pics of us at the sign we were able to get 1 stage of an Adventure Lab. Susan was also able to grab the Virtual cache and a Traditional cache that were here and I already logged the Virtual on my first ever trip to Vegas back in 2008 shortly after starting caching. 
It was actually my 14th find ever and my first Virtual cache.




After spending a bit of time here we headed off to the Dessert for some more sights!!


We headed out of town to "Seven Magic Mountains" which is about 28km away, and where I have been several times. I even was able to set up an Adventure Lab that started here. I built it from home, as I had been here so many times and had enough pictures and Information of the surrounding area.

Here you can see me trying to push them over. I wasn't able to though. lol
We took several pictures of this amazing art installation, and even grabbed a cache nearby.

We then headed over to the little town of "Goodsprings", which is an old mining town in the middle of nowhere. The Pioneer Saloon in town is the oldest drinking establishment in Nevada. 

Featured on many Blockbuster Movies, TV Shows and International Media Productions. The Pioneer Saloon has been operating since 1913. Inside you will see the Carole Lombard/Clark Gable Museum (Free of Charge). The saloon was used as base camp for search and recovery for the passengers of the ill-fated DC-3 flight, where in 1942 actress Carole Lombard lost her life. Her husband Clark Gable sat at the bar for several days burning holes into the bar top waiting for news of his wife’s fate. See the bullet holes in the wall where in 1915 a card shark was shot to death for cheating at cards, ruled a justifiable homicide. The original 1860 potbelly stove still heats the Saloon today. The Saloon is also haunted as seen on the Travel Channel’s “Ghost Adventures”. Take lots of photos you may get a ghost!

Here is a picture of me at the bullet holes in the side of the wall.

There is even a cache here in the bar, and you ask the bartender for it. I got it last year when in town. Susan was able to sign it though.


We finished our drinks and headed down the road after swinging by the other 3 stages of my AL and grabbing one more cache.








Next destination was "Red Rock Canyon"


We saw a couple of wild Donkey's while heading thru, and we stopped to take a picture and it was also where we were stopping for a cache anyway.





I didn't see any the last several times I came thru here, so it was nice to be able to see them this time while I was playing tour guide for Susan and other friends.

















The Red Rock Canyon is an awesome place with lots to see and lots of Earthcaches to be had.














Hoover Dam

We then made our way over to Hoover Dam.



The water at Hoover Dam is drastically low. It should be up to just under the bridge you see here. We were told it is 150 feet lower than normal.
We noticed on the way out here a lot of fields filled with Solar panels. I assume the city of Las Vegas is now using Solar to power the city.

We got a Virtual Cache here called "A Virtual Reward for A Dam Cool Dog"
It told the story of the Hoover Dam Mascot when it was being built.


(July 1, Canada Day) Day 3:

Susan was looking at the map and noticed an event being held here in Vegas on Canada Day by a fellow Canadian from Ontario. So we decided to head out in the morning, grabbing a few caches and then off to the event in front of the Fountains at the Bellagio. 

 There was a couple other Canadians from Whiterock, BC and several others from around the states. Thanx to cacher Colin.Wigle for hosting. Was nice to meet you!!




We grabbed a couple of Virtual caches and an Earthcache after the event. 




Later that evening we headed to Fremont Street Experience for a show and some fun. 


On Fremont there was 2 Adventure Labs that we did, and Susan got a Traditional cache and a Virtual that I had done years back.









NOTE: The highlighted or underlined words in my blog can be clicked on as they are links to other cool stuff!! Also if you click on any of the pictures they become bigger!!!






(July 2) Day 4:

This would be the last full day in Vegas, so we wanted to do as much as we could. We ventured out to the strip to find a speakeasy. There are several in town. We ended up at "1923 Prohibition Bar", which was a cool spot in the Cosmopolitan Hotel and Casino.

You walk up to the Bookcase and push it open to enter.
Its like you transport yourself into the past when speakeasy's were everywhere during the Prohibition.







It was a nice little spot to have a drink and just chill for awhile.


Speaking of "Chilling' for awhile, after we came out of the speakeasy we went into a place across the hall to another bar called "Minus 5 Bar"







You put on a Parka and enter a room made of Ice.


Everything including the glasses you drink out of are made of Ice!!



We ended the evening by going to see David Copperfield at the MGM Grand.



I have seen him live 3 other times but never in his Home theatre in Vegas. This was a treat for me!!




(July 3) Day 5: Heading home
In total we went to 7 different Adventure Labs with a total of 27 stages between them, 7 Traditionals, 8 Virtuals, 3 Earthcaches, 2 Puzzles, 1 Letterbox, and 1 Event!! We also had a blast on and off the strip, and looking forward to my trip back there next month for MAGIC LIVE 2023!!!

The day after we returned back to Canada, I went to an Event which took me to the Border and slightly across the Border to get a very cool Virtual Cache, and then packing again to head to Vernon, BC for the "Vernon Ribfest" where I will be performing 2 shows over the weekend and 4 hours of strolling magic......BUT, More about that and More in Next Months Blog!!!











Well that's it for this month!!
Keep on caching!!
Chris Yuill
Magicman65

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