Day Two - The Fourth of July

This morning we headed for the Hoover Dam.  Sarah-Jean had researched the dam for a school speech and her visit made her even more of an expert.

Back in 1996 they had draped a huge American flag on the face of the dam.  

It seemed appropriate to us on this holiday to use that backdrop for our posed picture.  Happy Birthday America!

Our tour took us into the bowels of the dam.  First the generator room on the Nevada side.

Then a ventilation chute that is about half way down inside the dam.

Back on top of the dam - the picture below demonstrates how low the water level has dropped since the mid 80's, the last time Lake Mead was full.  The white coloured rock was once under water.

We returned to Las Vegas to tour part of the Strip.  Took a taxi to Mandalay Bay and the Shark Reef Aquarium.

Then continued down the Strip.

This picture cost us a $2 tip.

We stopped at Bellagio to watch the dancing waters.

Then took a cab back to Circus Circus to watch the fireworks all across the valley, culminating with the show from the Stratosphere parking garage.

An awesome spectacle!  From a premier location!

The Angel of Mercy has now taken the two girls to see one of the circus shows here at the casino.  I pleaded a sore back and the need to finish the blog for tonight.  Hopefully, a CC and water will ease my pain 8-).  (Sorry but this program doesn't support emoticons - had to improvise)

Tomorrow, the Skywalk, Route 66 and Flagstaff.

THE HOLLYWOOD HAPPENING
Day One - July 3, 2015 - A Long Day!

We picked Reggie up at 5 a.m.

Then picked up Sarah-Jean.  David and Sue were driving us to Pearson, so they took Ewen along for the 3 person (HOV lane) ride home.  We had that lane all to ourselves on the way over and arrived at the airport ahead of our schedule.

 And said the goodbyes,

We skimmed through airport security and Homeland Security and thought we had a three hour wait for takeoff.  Turned out to be more than twice as long. We were 5th in line to be refueled but only one truck was operating and "work to rule" was the game of the day.  It took about five hours to get the job done.

Our 9:50 departure was pushed back to 12:50 and it was 1:20 before we hit the runway.

The flight was uneventful but by the time we got through baggage claim and obtained our rental car it was 8 p.m. Stoney Creek time before we got to our hotel room.  Twenty-ninth floor in the Skyrise Tower at Circus Circus gave us a great view.

Should be a fabulous fireworks show from the top of that Stratosphere tomorrow night!

The long day caused us to change our plans, so we ate at the hotel and spent a couple of hours at the Adventuredome.  Our young ladies were heartbroken to have to go on so many rides!

So, after a 21 hour day we have called it quits.

New River Gorge Bridge

On my golf trip with the guys to Davenport, Florida this year I intended to cross off one of my bucket list items - a walk across the New River Gorge, on the catwalk under the highway.

On the way down on March 6th the prospects didn't look too good.  West Virginia had just been hit by another snow storm as the following pictures will show.

However, by March 22nd the weather had improved, to above freezing.  But now our challenge was fog which had moved into the gorge.

Nevertheless, we were assured by the Bridgewalk folks that all would be well.  So we proceed, joined by Giselle from Oakville who had walked in just 15 minutes before our scheduled hike.

Doug, our guide, harnessed us up and took our pictures before and during the walk.

And off we went.

The passage of a train hauling West Virginia coal to Newport News for export to China for its coal fired plants started an energy discussion that predictably was steered by Roy to the subject of wind turbines.  Did I mention that the trip across the bridge took us an hour and a half?

Views were awesome.  

The only time I had vertigo was when I was looking through the camera lens at this shot, straight down.

If you think we were foolish, think about these folks running the rapids.

Challenge accomplished.  Now to add a replacement item to the bucket list.

Took My Kid To Legoland

January 22, 2015.

Jo-Ann's trip to Florida to celebrate her retirement has been busy and eventful.  We introduced her to the Morse Museum, Bok Tower Gardens, Bealls Department Store, Downtown Disney (a new addiction for her), and today we capped off her three weeks with a trip to Legoland.

First off was a ride on the Island in the Sky to see the scope of what used to be Cypress Gardens.

The water show was not on today, but from the air we got to see the new Legoland Hotel which is expected to open later this year.

What kid wouldn't want to ride on the merry-go-round?  Second floor too!

Next up, a trip through Miniland.

Seemed as if we had stumbled into Gulliver's Travels!  That's Bok Tower in the right foreground.

Watched a 4D movie at the Fun Town Theatre, then had an "all you can eat  pizza, salad and drink lunch" for $14.99.  Next, a ride on the Safari Trek, to see the life-size Lego animals.

Watched the Fire Department Rescue Academy train some "apprentices".  Next up, target practice on the Lost Kingdom adventure.

The pictures didn't pass muster though.

And finally, a couple of attempts to win a stuffed animal.

A trip through the Cypress Gardens section of the park was just great.

The big kid had a fine day!  HAPPY RETIREMENT JO-ANN!