When JJ Hubby turned 50 in August, we celebrated this milestone by heading to the city of fun, sun & sin, Las Vegas, Nevada. Our son, David (now 27) & daughter, Caroline (25) accompanied us, making the occasion even more memorable. I know a lot of people visit Vegas regularly (something we now hope to do as well), but this was our very first time there and in a word: WOW!
What's interesting is that up until my brilliant idea (if I say so myself) of doing up Dan's 50th in true style, we had no interest at all in visiting 'Sin City'. Our preconceived notions of what Vegas was (insert hookers, strippers, all those stories of people gambling their homes and retirement funds away) had held us back for years from what turned out to be an incredible experience. There's SO much to see and do, that you needn't be tempted to spent even one dollar in a casino, unless that was your thing - some people really enjoy it and are responsible to set and keep themselves within a daily limit.
We took an official tour of the city, saw a number of shows (The Mentalist, Criss Angel & Cirque Du Soleil), visited Hoover Dam and soaked up some rays by the pool. I can't wait to go back just to lie in the sun - it reminded me again of the first time I stepped out of an airport in California many years ago into that glorious warmth enveloping you like a blanket, right through to the bones. For someone who'd always lived in northern Canada, that intensity of heat was seriously mind-blowing.
Yes, but it's a dry heat!
I plan to share few highlights of our trip with you over the next number of posts (not necessarily back to back), including pics from a fabulous botanical cactus garden we toured on our way back to Las Vegas from Hoover Dam.
Jane , my Mr. has been talking about us going as well, so it would be great to read about your impressions of it. I think I'd love the shows and the hotels! Tell me more. And I mean everything!!
ReplyDeleteYou simply must go - at least once. The hotels are incredibly beautiful - no expense has been spared - quite a number of them have their own shopping centres inside, very high-end names, mind you.
DeleteJane, This will be fun. I went there several years ago with a friend...a gambling friend and that's all that we did. Didn't see anything,,she just gambled. I was so bored. I'm excited to see your impressions because it sounds like you all did more that just gamble...
ReplyDeleteMy husband gambled at little set amount each evening just before we called it a night - I was already up in our room by that point, lol! I don't enjoy gambling one iota - if I'm going to part with money, I want something for it - even if it's something I eat :D
DeleteSounds wonderful! I look forward to seeing your posts. I had the same thoughts on this area, but a few people I know have gone there, and they loved it. I haven't visited yet, but would love to see it one day. My husband asked me what I'd like to do for my 50th, which will be in a couple of years. I told him I don't want a party; I want us to go away on a trip. Who knows...maybe we'll plan for Nevada, and throw in a little of California while we're at it! So tell me more about this lovely place!
ReplyDeleteWe always thought it was a sleazy kind of place to go - little did we know it's basically a gigantic Disneyland for adults. It would be a fabulous place to visit for your 50th!
DeleteSounds like the Big Five Oh would be absolutely painless in Vegas!
ReplyDeleteI think it helped to soften the blow!
DeleteThis is somewhere I would like to visit. I have friends who go regularly and love it too.
ReplyDeleteWe were forever hearing about someone heading to or returning from Vegas - now we know why !
DeleteOhh nice! I've never been to Vegas either but now that i have my handy dandy passport, I plan to rectify that. I'd say you planned the best birthday trick, such a sweet wife you are!
ReplyDeleteEveryone's comments have been so enlightening - I actually thought we might be the only ones who'd never been to Vegas. I planned the whole trip, booked the shows prior to going down etc. and only told him what we would be doing each day we were there - he was on a need to know basis! I think it was good for him to relinquish control - he's a bit of an A-type personality.
DeleteSounds like an excellent way to celebrate a milestone birthday!! We've been to Las Vegas a few times and we too enjoyed the trips to Hoover Dam, etc. I am very uncomfortable with gambling and felt awful when I lost quarters!! I like Reno better than Las Vegas though--there's some very interesting places in the surrounding area--Lake Tahoe, Virginia City.
ReplyDeleteI am the same way Dianne - my daughter finally convinced me to gamble some of her money (lol, I wouldn't spend any of my own) just so I had the 'experience'! I'd rather tour around and see the area. I will have to pull up some pics and info on Reno.
DeleteSounds like a fabulous trip for you, all the way from northern Canada to visit Las Vegas with the entire family! What a great birthday for your hubby to celebrate. Looking forward to seeing your post about Vegas, and your amazing photos:)
ReplyDeleteIt was a wonderful trip and I have nothing but great memories - can't wait to go back. I'm wondering what my husband has planned for my 50th... it's coming up in September :D
DeleteI've never really had an interest in seeing Las Vegas but maybe your blog will inspire me to take a second look. Do you think you could live there or maybe in California?? I liked the way you wrote about the warmth - you are way too young to be a snow bird but maybe in 20 or 30 years you'll be wintering in one of those lovely warm places!!
ReplyDeleteHi Francie, Yes - I would love to be a snow bird someday - California has it all - the heat and it's still green, (not sure if I'd enjoy looking out my backyard at just cactus and sand). It would definitely have to be a dry heat though - I visited Florida once and that humidity and I did not hit it off!
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