Is that Laughlin calling our names?

First things first, Happy Birthday to my sister Brooks. Today is the 10th Anniversary of her 25th birthday! haha

Savannah got her wish this morning...she got to go all the way down the hill and even walk around on the main road some. I armed myself with some bear spray and my usual rocks but as we walked down to a certain part of the road, the hair on my neck was starting to stand up a little. I might have been freaking myself out (because I tend to do that pretty easily) but for some reason there was a part of the road that looked like it may have been a home to a coyote or ten...so we turned back toward the van.

[caption id="attachment_2547" align="aligncenter" width="300"] See Joon, way up on the hill!?[/caption]

We kept walking but then as soon we turned around the bend in the road, that RV sits right there, so I kind of felt a little trapped. All of this land and I can't go anywhere...damn! We walked back and forth down the main road about six or seven times until I got bored and Savannah started rolling in Donkey Doo!

We really are in a beautiful place so once we walked back up to the van I took some more pictures of our surroundings. I have a great program I have been using (when I remember) and it makes the pictures so much more clear...and it has some cool special effects that I like to mess with. Here, enjoy them with me...

[caption id="attachment_2549" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Reggae Joon[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2551" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Picturesque[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2554" align="aligncenter" width="300"] She does not like the camera[/caption]

After picture time, we did some stuff with Joon and cleaned her up a bit. We sat inside a little restless today...another day in the van. We started talking about maybe moving down back into town just to switch things up a bit. Almost within the same minute as our conversation we saw some pretty big machinery coming down the road; a motor grader, a semi with a flatbed truck carrying a track hoe and what looked like some mining equipment along with some work trucks in front of and behind the bigger trucks. It's so funny because anywhere and everywhere we go there's construction, in one way or another. I swear we could be on Mars and there would be construction!

[caption id="attachment_2555" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Really?[/caption]

Now our conversation was starting to turn from an idea into reality. We figured we came back up to the mountains for more privacy then we were getting in town and the day we came back that RV came and parked right down below us (and is still here) and now there is construction right around the bend. Weighing our options, we chose to move back down to town...mix it up a bit! So, we started packing up...wasn't too hard due to our clean-up this morning...go us!

[caption id="attachment_2556" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Times a wastin'![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2557" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Look how she's sitting! haha[/caption]

We were in town within about 20 minutes of our decision. It felt good to be back, for some reason. I think it's just the gypsy in us...feels good to move around, shake it up!

We parked at the Edgewater, we still haven't figured out if they really allow the overnight parking but we thought we'd give 'em a go and try it out. We took Nana on a potty walk, then put her back in and took a walk around the Edgewater Casino...it was still pretty early, something to do, ya know! It was definitely interesting walking through the casino 'after dark'. Every single machine had a butt in the seat, ciggy and drink in hand, in the zone. We wished them luck and kept walking. We don't have much water to cook with so we 'splurged' on a couple of dollar menu cheeseburgers at McDonald's (inside the casino) and hurried back to the van....that's where our drinks are! We are pretty much calling it a night now that our bellies are full, we have a good spot for the night and our TV reception is bomb! It's crazy, here in this parking lot we get channels from Las Vegas AND Phoenix but just a few rows over we don't get as many channels and they are all different...weird but we'll take it! Hope you get to watch something you enjoy tonight! For us, it's the X Factor...bring on the talent!!

PEACE

Vegas, Baby...Vegas!!!

Happy Halloweenie to all my Boils and Ghoul's!

Today, we say good-bye to Pahrump and our new-found 'family' member, Wayne. Wayne being the sweetie pie that he is, made sure that our bellies were full, but he had hot cakes for me this morning...woohoo! You know this girl LOVES her some hot cakes!

[caption id="attachment_2171" align="aligncenter" width="300"] J' ended up making them for me, bc I was too much of a mess![/caption]

When our bellies were full of sugar and spice and everything nice we rolled on out and said Hasta La Vista to the small desert town. We were driving toward Vegas.

Vegas, Baby...Vegas ~Swingers

Savannah has found a new place to lay in the van. It's always a "fight" with her because she wants to be on my lap, in the back, on my lap, open the window, scratching my legs....just a big mess sometimes so she figured she would find her own place to lay where she could still see but not be in the way...plus she's closer to daddy this way. We've got a smarty pants on our hands!

[caption id="attachment_2172" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Close to daddy[/caption]

It didn't seem like we were driving all that long when we came over this hilltop and saw Vegas in the distance. I don't think you realize how much Vegas sits in the mountains when you come into the city on a plane, but boy is it pretty out here.

[caption id="attachment_2174" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Las Vegas[/caption]

It didn't take long before we were in the full mix of things; traffic, houses, people, craziness. In a way it can be kind of fun...as long as I'm not driving! haha Our last few days we did some research on things to see and do while we were here so we drove over to the Town Square Mall. It's an outdoor mall, a place that is always nice to walk around.

[caption id="attachment_2176" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Reminds us of Denver[/caption]

It was still pretty early, not even noon, so it seemed we were the only ones there. It was nice to walk around, the weather was beautiful and it's very artsy fartsy over here so a very nice morning all together.

[caption id="attachment_2177" align="aligncenter" width="300"] St. Jude's Heart[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2178" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Acoustic Heaven[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2180" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Halloween Kisses[/caption]

We heard that there was a free dog wash, but that wasn't the case...although they are very dog friendly. Their dog shop was a bit on the pricey side but if you can afford a necklace (collar) for your dog that costs $30-40 bucks it's all you, bro! We chilled and walked around the shops and the park and headed back to the van to see where we might be able to stay for the night. We spent some time in the van calling around to different Casino's, talking to Security and getting a list together(we actually got a list of 8 confirmed overnight parking places-4 Casino's, 3 Walmarts and a camping store). With our handy dandy info, we set off for the closest one...but not without taking a drive on the strip first!

[caption id="attachment_2181" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Well, thank you[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2182" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Luxor[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2183" align="aligncenter" width="300"] New York, New York[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2184" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The Fashion Show[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2185" align="aligncenter" width="300"] J' says, "That's profound!" haha
If it's in stock...[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2186" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Stratosphere[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2187" align="aligncenter" width="300"] hahahahahaha[/caption]

For all of you who have been to Vegas and have ventured all over the town...even scary Downtown (where Fremont street is and the road to get there) you know that the more you head toward Fremont Street, the more sketch it gets. We were headed to Binion's Horseshoe Gambling Hall (one of the Casino's that gave us the go-ahead for overnight parking). We were only about 2 miles off the strip and decided we would take our chances at one of the other Casino's...if you catch my drift! Wouldn't feel safe parking there, sleeping there, leaving the van unattended or leaving the 'Bug unattended...no thank you!

[caption id="attachment_2188" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The only thing in the neighborhood that made me smile![/caption]

We headed to the Rio. I had been to the Rio many times for their wonderful Seafood Buffet and knew that it was probably our best bet at this time. It was getting dark and it was starting to be time for rest & play and be done with the driving for now.

[caption id="attachment_2189" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Hello Sleepy Town[/caption]

We turned into the Rio and drove back to the self-parking. They have a 5 floor parking garage (that I think we could only fit on the first floor if we could get under the height bar) and they have a bunch of open back lots they use for semi's, other big trucks and RV parking. We felt like we had arrived! We parked in between a couple of trucks with trailers and U-hauls, grabbed our stuff and headed inside. It was still pretty early so we wanted to see what was going on inside. We walked around, looked at the games, live entertainment, and the shops. We went to the top of the parking garage where there was open air and scoped out how we looked from above. The city was beautiful from here.

[caption id="attachment_2191" align="aligncenter" width="300"] We have arrived[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2192" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The City[/caption]

In the pic below, you'll see my finger in the far left corner(ish) of the pic...that's where Joon Van is!

 Oh and for all you horny ladies...and men (you know who you are) the Rio is the home of the Chippendale's...woo hoo! haha

[caption id="attachment_2194" align="aligncenter" width="225"] This elevator is going down....haha[/caption]

So tonight, we celebrate with Nutella sammies and a nice place to rest our heads...they even have the cutest little dog area with the softest grass for Nana's relief. I'm sure she was happy to feel grass under her tootsies again. We have a fun-filled day planned tomorrow, hoping for good weather and not too many annoying people!

Hope you didn't get your bellies sick with too much of your babies candy and you had a Spooktacular Holiday!

PEACE