Showing posts with label bonnie springs ranch. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bonnie springs ranch. Show all posts

Friday, February 18, 2011

Leaving Las Vegas


The true beauty of the Vegas area lies outside the Strip. We took several day trips, the first one was to Red Rock Canyon. I had never been there this time of year and there was a lot of green. Beautiful!


I see a lot of faces in these rocks, do you?



This rock climber was far away. I would never do this, not in a million years.
I did make my mom climb up into a hole in the red rock.



Close by Bonnie Springs Ranch has an old timey town to explore and a small zoo.
Looks like it was built in the 1870's but was really built in the 1970's for tourists. Probably more fun for kids than adults. They had a staged 'neck tie party' as my grandfather used to call it.


Found a tree full of chickens and roosters.
Who wouldn't want one of these?
Cowboy alarm clock?



Beautiful lynx. I believe they are native to the area.




This strange critter is a Patagonian Mara. Looks like an alien to me!


A trip to Mount Charleston was next.



So beautiful and still a lot of snow on the ground.
Cars were pulling over to let their kids get out and roll in it. Very funny!
The houses and cabins nestled in the mountains were really neat.


Our third outing was to Lake Mead. We were lucky enough to get to go out on a houseboat.


 A great view of the Hoover Dam that most people don't see.
 After 9/11 you can't get up close.


 Loads of carp around the marina. People come to feed them popcorn.
Ducks on top of the fish even.



Pretty redhead duck I've never seen this type before.



View from a top Hoover Dam.


Back to Las Vegas, my Grandmother's husband had to show us the new Lou Ruvo Brain Institute.
It's not every day that one gets to see a Frank Gehry building! It looks like something from Dr. Suess.



The sunset from my grandmother's back yard.


On a separate note, I have finally reached 500 blog followers!
To celebrate I will be having a giveaway soon. More details to come.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Jacks or Better

In the three previous times I've been to Las Vegas, I've never seen the wild burros around Red Rock Canyon but this time I got lucky!
When we saw the first one, I nearly jumped out of the moving van!


My Mom is a huge animal lover and can't resist a quick pat.
I think this is a jenny and her baby from last year.

How sweet this guy is.
 I think he wanted to come home with us! He would like my back yard.




They look so neat against the mountains and desert!



At nearby Bonnie Springs Ranch I found some horses to photograph. We were shooed away by a worker so I didn't get many. The horses seemed well cared for but we didn't have the time or money for a ride.
I can't imagine how much hay costs out here.




More animals to come!