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