Good times in both the real and unreal Vegas

Vegas version of Venice's St. Mark's campanile
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This was my husband and my second visit to Vegas. On our first trip, we were initiated to the Strip's grandeur and sleaze. (Ladies, try to walk between your man and the Mexicans snapping and shoving stripper cards at him). We stayed at the Venetian this time. I think this hotel/casino is one of the most visually impressive on the Strip. Painted ceilings and marble abound inside and out.

We saw the Blue Man Group's show on our first visit--funny and visually exciting. This visit, we saw Cirque du Soleil's "O". I never figured out the weird story, if there was one, but the performers were thrilling. High divers, gymnastics and trapeze artists performed their feats over a pool built into the stage. Very unique and a must see. Prior to the show, we watched one of the Bellagio's delightful water shows set to music while enjoying our gelatos.

Viva the real and un-real Las Vegas!

Bellagio's water show set to music
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We are not gourmet "foodies" and consider spending more than $20 on an entree a waste of money. The restaurant we frequented the most was the Grand Lux in the Venetian. It is owned by the Cheesecake Factory, which has always pleased us. Beautifully decorated,we were quickly seated, with attentive service, very good food and huge portions. Our worst dining experience this trip was when we chose to dine at Maggiano's, located in the nearby shopping plaza across from the Wynn hotel. Do NOT attempt to eat there without a reservation. After an hour wait, the more expensive food was no better than at the Grand Lux.

Bowl of Fire, Lake Mead Recreational Area
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We couldn't get tickets for Cirque's new production, Love, set to Beatles music, so we saw a Beatles' tribute show, called The Fab Four. Four musicians who play multiple instruments and sound and LOOK so much like the Beatles, I was stunned. The show was fun, the music was great, but the theatre where they perform, the V Theatre in the Aladdin (being renovated), was schlocky. The V isn't a theatre; it is a nightclub with tables and chairs. The waiters are serving drinks during the performance which is a rude distraction and, I would imagine, an insult to the performers. The Fab Four should be playing to much larger audiences in a much better venue. Please see them if you are a Beatles fan.

Red Rocks Park
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To escape the din and artifice on the Strip, we rented a car and drove to see the Red Rocks to the west,(1/2 hour drive) and to the Lake Mead Recreational Area to the east (1 hour drive) of the city. Red Rocks is an outcropping of red sandstone layered between other sedimentary rocks. There is a visitor's center with well-done displays there, explaining how the landscape came to be.

If I thought the red sandstone and surrounding multi-coloured hills of Red Rocks were beautiful, they are just a taste of what lies in the Lake Mead Rec. Area. We had thought to take the paddle-boat tour on the Lake, but instead we decided to drive into the park after the helpful people in the visitor's center showed photos of places named the Bowl and Valley of Fire.  At this time of year, there were very few cars on the well-maintained road.

Petroglyphs etched in the black patina of the red sandstone
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I like to paint, and was wishing I had my easel, canvas and paints with me when we came upon the Bowl and a few miles more, the Valley of Fire. Even with the sun diffused by a cloudy sky, the colours were amazing. There was a stop where you can see petroglyphs etched into the red sandstone's black patina by Native Americans hundreds of years ago.

The road through the park brings one out to Highway 15, a few miles north of Vegas, so the drive back is easy.

People go to Las Vegas to "get away". I suggest making the time to get away from Las Vegas by visiting the Lake Mead Recreational Area and if you are an artist, pack your paints!