5-11 April Vegas X 2

We had some friends to meet in Las Vegas on the 6th. The weather forecast was for more strong wind so we almost cancelled the trip but then decided to go anyway.  The wind wasn't supposed to get bad until later in the afternoon so we decided to just make sure we headed home early.  It was a nice trip on the motorcycle going to Vegas.  The wind was to our back most of the way.  One the way home it had changed directions and was mostly to our back so the highway travel went well.  We got lost though and it took longer to find them than we had planned.

On I-15 heading into Las Vegas.

The next seveal pictures are of businesses on the "Strip" in Vegas.  We were on the motorcycle so visibility was good.  Susan did some overtime with her camera!

Bumper to bumper ... Seems like nrmal traffic whenever we've been to Vegas.  I liked being on the motorcycle better than driving the car.

Once we'd gone the entire length of the strip and didn't find the hotel we were looking for we stopped and asked directions.  From then it was a quick drive to the hotel/casino and avisit with our friends.  On the way out we were later than usual and hit the rush hour traffic.  It's a bit unnerving at times to have semi-trailers driving by with wheels as tall as we were on the bike and have then close enough to touch with nothing between us.  It was harder on Susan because I could see them coming in the mirrors but every one was sudden appearance for her.  The nice thing about the motorcycle is that it's quick and agile in the traffic.

Once out of vegas the traffic thinned out and the rest of the way was great except for some gusting winds at times.

The forecast was for high winds on Thursday and Friday and rain on Saturday.  They were right on the money!  We planned n playing on the waves with the kayaks but the temperature dropped and the wind was cold so we stayed indoors.  It was a good day to write so I did (that day and the next day and the day after that!)

The cat was bored ...

So he started picking on the dog ...

Who was also bored and more than willing to take the cat up on his challenge.  At least our boredom was relieved watching them!

The wind wasn't too bad Saturday so we thought we'd head into town to the library but a look at the sky cured us of that thought. Overton was getting hammered by rain.

With some heading our way as well.  The storm didn't last long and was mostly show with little rain but by the time it was gone we didn't feel like going onto town.

Sunday we went into Vegas again to pick up one of our kids and her two children.  We needed to take the U-Haul so we moved some things outside into the tent in preparation to go.  The cat decided he wanted to check out under the tent so Susan took his picture.

We had a bit of a time getting out.  The sand was soft and deep under the truck so we had to do some shovelling and filling in to get out of our parking spot.  We finally did though and hit the road.  We drove through the Valley of Fire because it cut so many miles off the trip it was worth it to pay the ten-dollar fee to use their road.  Here, we're  on the final stretch of I - 15 heading into Vegas.

We left early so we could spend some time at the Bass Pro Shop in Vegas.  While there I did very well in not spending a lot of money.  A lot of what they had was higher in price than I would pay for the same stuff at home anyway so not spending money wasn't too hard.  I took a picture of some of the books they had for sale while there. 

As the time drew near for our daughter's flight to arrive we headed for the airport.  I'm not impressed with the Vegas airport.  It would help immensely if they'd tell you which flight was unloading so you didn't have to check every batch of people coming in every couple of minutes.  We watched the limo drivers rush over to different escalators every time a planeload of people came through.  That was about the only entertainment available until our guests arrived.

We took them through downtown Vegas to see the lights and casinos then headed for home.  On the way to The Strip there was an accident on the interstate so it took about an hour to go one mile to the exit.

Grandkids after a short night of sleep and breakfast!

Mom and daughter (or daughter and granddaughter?) playing in the water.  They're from Montana and the water there is still in it's solid state.

1-4 April, 2011 Kayaks and wind ...

We're getting settled into our new spot.  There's a lot more traffic through than our old campsite.  There are a couple of small peninsulas beyond our campsite with a rotating guest list so we have people coming past several times every day.  It isn't a problem, just different.  It is nice being so close to the water and being sheltered from the wind when it's out of the north.

Susan made some chocolate milk using dry milk and Nestle's Quick mix.  It was almost as good as it would have been with fresh milk.

This was taken the first.   Today on the way into town almost every blossom was open.  The photo doesn't capture the full color and effect of the flowers.

Sunrise on the second of April (taken from the doorway).

Susan doing some outside reading with her improvised sun-shade.

We've had several days of high winds.  On the second they were out of the south-east so we had a little fun on the lake.  Some of the swells were around two-feet high which is a lot of fun in a kayak.  I put the spray skrt on mine so I wouldn't get as much water inside then headed for the "breakers."  (Outside our little inlet where the waves were higher.)  It was good practice and a lot of fun.  We spent aboutt wo hours out on the water.

This was taken on the third.  The wind has changed and iscoming out of the north now. 

I changed the rear tire on my bicycle.  I found one at the hardware store in Overton.  They've come up in price since I bought my last one.

I don't know if this damage (on the old bike tire) was caused during transpost on the trailer or by rocks when I was riding the bike.  At any rate it needed replaced.

One of our neighbors taking a break in the sun.

The cat taking a break on the camper.  (Draped over my gun case.)

Susan doing laundry on Monday.  (I wash the dishes.)  It's nice having the lake nearby for water.

The cat doing it's morning stretching exercises.

30-31 March, 2011 - Back to Lake Mead

We spent about a week out in the desert then headed back to the Lake Mead/Overton area. We stopped overnight in the Wal Mart parking lot before heading out again.

It was difficult to get used to the noise, lights and movement again.  While out in the desert we averaged one vehicle coming by about every two days.

Susan took this picture when we walked over to the Dollar store to buy tea.  It's interesting to see both palm trees and snow on the mountains.

One store sold guns and guitars ... and guitar guns????  These are real electric guitars.  We sent a photo to a friend in MT to see if he wanted us to pick one up for him!

Susan caught Odie going through her "tricks." (Usually to get food!)

I think I'm beginning to see a family resemblance here.

Our new camping spot is almost in the lake.  This is the best place yet for camping and kayaking.

There is no shade so we decided to make our own.  The only tarp we had free measures 6 X 8 feet.  We picked up a large one in town this morning.

The cat isn't satisfied until he's inspected everything inside and out.

The sun was bright and hot so Susan used the solar cooker to make spanish rice for supper.

There was a sentinal on the ridgetop watching.  I think he was taking inventory of potential threats.  Probably looked at the dog and decided there wasn't much to fear.

This is the first place we've been that we didn't have cell phone service at the camper. Susan goes tot he top of the hill to send/receive texts.

Ah ... there she is!  I just needed to add some magnification.

Our camper is in the right, center of the photo.

Susan gathering firewood and cooling off her feet.

Another neighbor.  The little guy's actual size is about half the size you see here.  He was smaller than a dime.

We kept waiting for the cat to fallin but no such luck.  Then we waited for the dog to come push the cat in.  Again, no such luck.  The dog's smarter than she looks.

Odie picking up sticks in the water.  Earlier she was taking her tennis ball above the shore and letting it roll into the water so she could swim after it.  She was very hesitant to get in the water when we first got to Nevada.  We can't keep her out now.

Sunset, day one!