Nevada Nov 11-Dec 1 2020

 Our condo is small and can use some  updating and a little maintenance.  Our first night was pretty quiet and comfortable.  It took a bit of effort but we finally got a fob to get into the gates, the owner left no info on where to find anything, mailbox, garbage etc.  But we found it all with a bit of snooping, 

the building is pretty quiet, not too many people around.  Even though its a great location we will not rent this unit again.  There are many others in the area for rent.

We went to the strip on Thurs between 3-5.  It was pretty crowded walking on the sidewalk.  We did not go into any casinos.  We wanted to make dinner reservations at Mon AMi GAbi in the Paris but they don't take reservations for the outside seating.  We did find a place at the LinQ that has outside seating and does take reservations.  Virgil's Smoked Turkey dinner!  We stopped at an outside bar for a $11 beer!!  Crazy.  

600 steps from our gate is Ellis Island Brewery.  $2.50 for a 20 oz draft beer that is made there!  Oh so good too!  We stopped in for a beer and bite in there Front Yard.  the food was really good, we only got appetizers but all made there and oh so good. We will be back a few times before we leave. 

We leave the condo each morning by 7:00 am and return by 1:00 pm.  There are so many places to walk and bird.  We are doing quite well on our yearly count.  We went looking for the LeContes Thrasher but again no luck.  We will need to get out there a few more times to find that elusive bird.  

Look who is wearing shorts!

Our dinner at Mon Ami Gabi was fabulous! 

So was our view! 

Lots and Lots of hiking paths in the mountains, some much more difficult than others.

Windy day up on Mount Charleston

A bit tricky walking on the ice/snow. 

Lake Mead hiking trail... 

The weather was warmer than normal!  Shorts and time by the pool was in order for our second week in Vegas.

We finally (after a week) went to our favorite grocery store (Cardenas) to get carnitas, rice, tamales etc..  We will have one near us in Palm Springs too!

Spring Mountain SP was a great walk, Red Rock Canyon was really crowded!  Don't people work??

We seen this guy while driving home!  The other side said "Stop the Steal".  It takes all kinds....

After an early morning Strip walk we drove Downtown to Fremont Street.  they have done such a good job of promoting Downtown and keeping it clean.  There were a few solicitors on the street selling who knows what but it was clean.  We were hoping to get lunch there but there was no outside restaurants. 

For our evening walk we went as far as Planet Hollywood. The Strip was not too crowded, mostly young people and most all had masks on. 

We stopped for carry out at Gordon Ramseys Fish and Chips.  They were very very good. A good choice for Friday night Fish Fry!

We found this place about 3/4 of mile from our door.  outside dining and cold beer!  its all good...

Monday Nov 23  We went for a hike at Lake Mead early in the morning 

Not sure that this is a Big Horn Sheep, they are in the area but this one looks different

Black Throated Sparrow

Coy Dog!  Beautiful and Healthy

A Western and a Clarks Grebe!

We then went to Boulder City for a 11:30 ride on a Train Bike!  We seen them last year as we were driving back from Boulder City last year. It's about a 4 mile downhill (until the end) ride on the tracks.  A brief stop while we wait for the train to pick us up and back to the station.  About 90 minutes for the complete experience.  There is a museum there but the trains were not open to the public because of Covid.  A fun time for $88.

They have 4 seaters and 2 seaters

Pretty much all down hill except for the very end where we really had to pedal. 

Our ride back

Great fun..

Happy Turkey Day!  Boy its a different kind of year but its all good.  We planned on eating out but the weather turned for today, cool and windy, so we are carrying out our smoked turkey dinner from Virgil's Real BBQ.  We started the day with a walk at Sunset park, it was a bit windy.

We picked up our dinner at 3:00, the LinQ mall and the strip itself was pretty quite

We were to pick up 2 individual dinners to go...  this box weighed 31 pounds!  We did not take the car as we were not expecting a dinner for 6-8!

Even though Roberta, Kathy and the Johns are not with us this Thanksgiving dinner they are in our hearts!

What's for dinner??

Yep dinner for 8 is what we got..  It was all very good even the Brussel Sprouts!

the Turkey was smoked perfectly, I forgot to put the green beans on my plate...

We froze a lot of the turkey, we can make pot pies etc when we get to Palm Springs or Green Valley.We have 4 days to eat as much as possible.  Hoping we can make a real dent in all of this food. 

We went to the Railway trail in Boulder City by Lake Meade on Friday.  We got there early enough to avoid the crowds.  Its about 3 miles one way, we only went about 2 miles. 

There are 5 tunnels on the railway trail.  this is the trail that was made to get supplies to the site to make Hoover Dam.  

 On our way back to the car we did indeed run into crowds of people on the trail.  In fact we seen more on our walk back to the car than we did when we took a walk on the strip later that afternoon.  Vegas is pretty much a ghost town, there are people but not many.  Covid numbers are on the rise all over the country, the CDC is asking people to stay at home and predicting a big spike in cases and deaths.  

Our weather for our final week is cool in the mornings (40 ish) rising to about 60 in the afternoon. The wind died down and with sunny skies its makes for a beautiful day.

We found new places to walk all along the wash...

coyote in the water, looking for lunch?

nice park

Baby Roadrunner

Red Tailed Hawk

We had a great time here in Nevada but its time to move on. Not being able to go to our favorite restaurants, going to a show or museum and trying out our luck a at a few slot machines was a bit difficult and disappointing.  We really liked the location of our condo, it requires a 30 day rental so we doubt we will be back here again.  

Next stop Cathedral City next to Palm Springs CA.  280 miles.... Dec 1