Jared and his Green Friend

It has been a hot week here in Las Vegas.  Before you think I was absolutely crazy to plan a trip out here this time of year (and perhaps I was!) my husband had a business trip so we decided to tag along. 

Enjoying Las Vegas in 112+ degree weather has required some creativity.  We spend more time just hanging out in our wonderful hotel room at the Desert Rose Resort in Las Vegas then we usually do on such adventures.  We swim in the evenings and spent a morning bowling in an air conditioned casino.

The first day of our trip I had the crazy idea to drive out to Henderson and take the Ethel M Chocolate Factory Tour.  The tour, frankly, was a bust.  Although we arrived at 1:30 the workers must have been home on break or gone for the day.  The factory was almost deserted.  I enjoyed seeing all the machinery and redeemed myself in the eyes of my children by buying overpriced chocolate bars.   They were delectible.

Chocolate Delights

Here are some photos of the cactus garden.  I enjoyed it immensely despite the heat.  The kids were another story:

Lone Cactus

 

Happy Trails, Las Vegas

Some of my fellow travel bloggers are heading to TBEX and BlogHer in Las Vegas.  Sadly, my travels are mostly over for the summer, and I won’t be joining them.  If you are looking for some virtual travels, check out Delicious Baby’s Photo Friday  .

Here’s what we have on tap for next week:

• Lied Children’s museum and perhaps the Natural History Museum depending on how we are doing that day.
• Tournament of Kings at the Excalibur-Hopefully Destiny can endure the Hulabaloo.  She’s pretty timid.
• The Adventure Dome at Circus Circus-That one is for my big boy Justin.
• The Ethel M Chocolate Factory Tour-inspired by one of our friend Soultravelers3 You Tube videos of a European Chocolate Factory.  Destiny loves that one.  She has quite the sweet tooth.
• Springs Reserve-This is a big outdoor park/museum combination to explore.  I’m hoping it will get us moving and enjoying an outdoor adventure-No rain please!
• The Gregory Popovich Pet Show-Four year old Jared can hardly wait to see this one.  He thinks it will be just like the time Clifford joined the circus!
• Fun in the pool at the Golden Nugget (Sliding Among the Sharks) and the MGM Grand (Tubing on the lazy river)

Went to Walmart and spent way too much money on stuff we “needed” but now everyone has the appropriate amount of socks and underwear as well as hats, flip flops, and their very own “adventure guidebook” to take notes for the next Smith Family Adventure e-guidebook to Las Vegas.  Hope the rain stays away, I figure out how to navigate the streets of Vegas in a giant Yukon that I have only driven twice, and we generally have a good time.

Finally if you live close to San Diego and are reading this on Saturday April 4th head down to Balboa Park for the Science Festival.  I’m keeping the little guys at home to rest up for the trip (and find the camera!), but Ken and Justin are going .  I’m very jealous! Free admission to lots of science related museums, booths, demonstrations, entertainment.  It looks like it will be an amazing day of cheap fun in San Diego.  Always a good thing.  Find out more at http://www.sdsciencefestival.com/.  More than 500 free science activities what could be better than that!

Well dear readers, won’t be posting much next week due to the ridiculous cost of hotel internet connections (Maybe after I sell a few Legoland  guidebooks, I’ll be able to afford them).  Stay tuned though.  I’ll have plenty of Vegas goodness to share on my return.

Happy Trails,

Bridget