On Vacation

Heading out

I dropped Harlan off just after 7 a.m. and had to wait til 11 for my turn.

The crazy branch of the Domina family brought me to the airport.














Leaving behind the grey skies of Portland.





I understand the "no people" near the engine symbol but what is that other symbol? Is there a missile in there?

Contrast in mountain peaks

I think this is Mt Jefferson poking out of the clouds.

This uniquely striated range is just west of the Las Vegas area. Photos taken through a plane window aren't the highest resolution.

For this girl, who grew up near the Northwoods and Lake Superior and moved to the very green Northwest where tall evergreens are abundant, this landscape is so foreign. Even watching from the plane was strange. I just can't wrap my brain around it. Because I've not studied geology, I was looking down and wondering how all of the diverse patterns and colors came about. Very interesting

On the ground in...VEGAS

From the plane. This was taken just after touch down. No clouds in sight.

This was taken as it was starting toward dusk. If you look closely you can see the beam of light pointing straight up from the top of the pyramid.

Out in front of the Luxor where we are staying.

Room for improvement

I didn't realize I have such an issue with heights until we were assigned a room on the 14th floor of the pyramid. We had a great view of the Excalibur Hotel and Casino! But the walkway just outside the door hangs 14 floors out over nothing and the building flexes. Rational thought would assure anyone that it was perfectly safe, but I rarely am accused of being rational. Poor Harlan :0(

The desk clerk told us that we could change rooms any time during the week. So 10 minutes after checking into that room we were back in the lobby changing rooms. The desk clerk that we talked to this time said "No problem." She changed our reservation and gave us a gorgeous, larger room on the first floor of one of the towers. She waived the additional cost too!

This is the view from our new room. And we have a deep bathtub for me to relax in. Time to stop at one of those shops and get some bath salts :0)

The Mandalay Bay Resort 

and Conference center

This is where Harlan will end every day. He is done by 4:30 each day and doesn't have to be there until 10 on most days. So we are going to do some exploring.

Inside the Luxor

This guy is near the food court and a few other restaurants.

I should pop into all of the resorts and check out their wedding chapels. This is in our hotel. It was closed for a private party. We saw the women from the wedding party. The bride was beautiful in a white buckskin Native American dress. The bridesmaids and flower girls were not in Native American dress.

We may visit here

We plan to visit this

The Titanic sunk 100 years ago. This is supposed to be the largest display of Titanic memorabilia anywhere. Krystle really wanted to be here to see this. I hope I can take pictures!

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Location:Las Vegas