Las Vegas...Been There, Done That!

Well, now we never have to go back.  Las Vegas was interesting, and exhausting.  The strip itself appeared a bit run down to me.  We decided to walk it on a Sunday, late morning.  Perhaps this was why we did not see too many characters (kind of disappointing to me).  The kids did get to see some actual pasties...  The best part of Nevada was the R.V. park, or shall I say resort.  Fiona and Ethan enjoyed the large pool, and the mini golf course that ran through out.  Scott and I were able to get some laundry done and plan for the weeks ahead.  We did however take advantage of the shows in Vegas.  It was a splurge, but we took the kids to see Cirque De Soleil's "Ka".  There were fireworks (inside), live music, a huge rotating stage, lots of fire and amazing acrobatics.  So over the top!
The mystique of Las Vegas is now gone.  Replaced with a knowledge that for us it's a tiring, cigarette-smoke filled land of consumerism.  Interesting to visit...but hard to imagine living there!

This bushy thing is a Joshua Tree.  Could be 800-1000 years old.

That ancient tree was in a sea of litter on the other side of a nasty barbed wire fence.  Bet it's seen better times...

Cozy little rest stop in the Mojave Desert...

Stopped into a wedding chapel in Vegas.

New York, New York was our favorite spot.

I learned something about myself.  I am the BEST Pac Man player in the family.  Just sayin'...

The arcade was some good clean fun.

Blurry, but I think you can still make out the incredibly happy and relieved faces on these two.  They just got off the roller coaster that goes around New York, New York.  It has three inverted parts!!!!  Ethan and I sat that one out!

This lady is made of wax!

Awwwww!

Hole 5 was right behind our trailer.

Flying Ethan!

Awww!

Yup, I actually ironed in preparation for the big show.

San Francisco...What a Treat!

O.K.  I am true to Boston as my all time favorite city, but San Francisco makes that conviction difficult.  Colorful, walkable, clean enough, sandy beaches, big surf, great consignment shops and tons of amazing food options.  We gave ourselves two full days to explore.  On the first day we took the ferry into town.  Fast and affordable with great views of the city, Alcatraz and San Quentin (a seriously badass prison).  Scott (having been stationed in CA for two years with the Coast Guard, and working in San Francisco harbor years later) was a handsome and affordable tour guide.  So much walking.  We went to Pier 39 to see the sea-lions, walked up streets that had a near 90 degree grade, looked down the famously curvy Lombard Street and ended in Chinatown.  My eyes were constantly feasting on color and people.  Chinatown was definitely the grand finale for that excursion!  We ducked into the tiny herb shops and live fish markets.  There were tea houses, underground gambling rings, millions of tiny restaurants with no more than three tables each.  Red...so much red.  My favorite color was a part of everything.
On day two of the city we parked near Golden Gate Park and took to town on our bikes.  The park was so vast.  Full of trees I had never before seen and flowers, including a show stopping rose garden.  We found a great sandwich shop and enjoyed people watching while eating.  All of us agree that San Francisco is one of our favorite cities we have been to. 
As of one hour ago we are now calling Las Vegas home.  The RV park is huge...like 936 sites huge!  Tomorrow we explore sin city.  I better rest my eyes for some of the best people watching (or as Elisabeth/A.K.A. the "Go Astros" blurter-outer reminds me, "people judging") of my life.  Can't wait!

Pleasant little ferry ride.

Who can pass up a merry-go-round ride?

Certainly not this big kid in black.

Look at all those sea-lions!  All that space and they crowd together!

Seriously steep streets.

Mmmmm.  Bloody halved fish.  Are the flies free with purchase?

Oh, God!  Fiona, close your eyes!  These bullfrogs are going to be someones dinner!  The giant turtles (live of course) were around the corner.

Chinatown, I love you.  Almost as much as a Redwood...

Look at these city kids.  

I'll take the moon pie and the cockroach on the side.

Spectacular murals abound!

Goldmine!  Vegetarian Buddhist cuisine!

Eric (the owners brother) sat with us and was fascinated by our kids.  He was double interested when he learned we homeschooled.  It was hard to say goodbye.

Golden Gate in the fog.

Hangin' Ten!

Remember Gertie?  She was hanging out too.

Can you smell that?

Biking in the park.

Last chance to touch the Pacific!

This was our last RV park.  We were in an orange grove!!!

THE REDWOODS!!!!!!!

Unbelievable.  Inconceivable.  Regal.  Mystical.  All words that almost describe the feeling you get when standing in the presence of the tallest living thing on earth. I was so happy to finally see and feel the giant Redwoods.  Fiona and Ethan were equally moved.  I can't imagine trying to take something so amazing in at their age...  (We'll see what they think of the Grand Canyon!)  On our first day in the park we were fortunate enough to stumble in in time for a ranger lead hike.  Brad had such a passion for this forest!  He was able to answer all our questions, and with his information I gained an even stronger love for these tress!  I was also proud of the kids for completing a junior ranger program.  (They had to fill out a workbook and say a pledge in front of a ranger in order to earn a badge.)
     Currently we are just outside of San Fransisco...and we are loving it!  What a city!  But that's another story.....

Receiving their badge from ranger Brad.

Honest to God.  How enormous?  Just look at the dead log we are standing on!

Oh tree.  I love you!

Bye Bye green.  Welcome to CA.

We have been using the CA fire map a lot this leg of the journey.

Northern CA beach.  Scott and kids spent the afternoon creating.

I watched while catching up with my parents and wishing my aunt a happy birthday.  I actually had two bars of reception on the beach!

A little art left behind by the Jasons.

And yes.  We know the dangers of these fires.  Here is one we went through in Oregon.  Yup.  Rolling Thunder went right thru those mountains.

We have been using the fishing reels so generously donated by Uncle Jason.  No luck yet though...

OMG!  Just had to throw in a throw back!

My sweet sweet babies at Seaside in Nahant.  Fiona 4, Ethan 3.

Ahhhhh!  I love these boys!

This one was hiding out in Scott's phone.  Better late than never!