One of the advantages of living in Las Vegas, is that we are still the entertainment capital of the world. We decided that we would take advantage of the great weather and stay close to home this year. We had such a fun day. KLUC radio was putting on an event at the park with live bands, jump houses and tons of booths. The Kids ran over for a while to see what was going on. Afterwards the Neighbors across the street had a party with some of the co-workers from the NLV Fire Dept. They sat up a couple of jump houses and had tons of people that showed up. Jake participated in the Easter egg hunt, and had a fun time. I snuck away to get my truck washed and cleaned up. I went over to Fabulous Freddy's and had the works done. It looks like a new truck, and I was happy to get the carpets shampooed. I did notice while I was waiting that there was a huge crowd standing in line at the shopping center, there must have been at least 200 people all standing waiting for something. When I looked a little closer I saw that they were waiting for their turn to see the Easter Bunny. After they had a chance to sit on the Rabbits lap they all went to the different stores and picked up gifts and candy. Did I miss something? When did Easter become a cross between Christmas and Halloween?
The best part of our day was the afternoon that Kathy had planned for us. She made a picnic lunch and we drove out to Red Rock to climb around on the Rocks. Most people who live in Las Vegas have been out to Red Rock at some point in their life. Ron S proposed to Carol S there (this was one of the 7 questions that I guessed right in her last contest that I never win). I like to ride my bike on the loop and have ridden it so many times that I know every climb, drop and straight-away on the loop road. The place is beautiful, and the weather was perfect to climb the rocks. Here are some of the photos from our day.
This is looking across towards the mountain range. The sun was shining through the clouds and beams of light were shining down. (Click on the pictures and they show more detail)
Mandy and Jake were like Mountain Goats. They were all over the rocks.
When we made it to the top we found this gap with a huge drop. Jeff kept teasing his mom that he was going to jump it. She said she couldn't watch and knew that he was too smart to take such a big risk.
Kathy and I posed for a couple photo, If you notice Jake, this is a great example of how much alone time we usually get.
We made it to the top and the view was awesome. You could look all the way across the Las Vegas Valley. It was tough carrying the camera, water and gear all the way up to the top. (Fortunately for Ron S. he travelled light when proposing to Carol S. .He didn't even have a ring to tote up to the top. This was one of he answers that I got wrong in the contest)
I really like this picture of Mom and Son, taking a moment to enjoy the view. I wonder what is going through Jake's mind. Tim and Jeff both stand with their hands on their hips with their elbows back during breaks in sports. We have wondered where this comes from, the question was answered today, just look at Mom.
Victory. (P.s. Check out how buffed my wife is)
Jeff taking a moment to pose at the top of the World.
Mandy is our photographer. She spotted this caterpillar crawling across the web and had to get a picture of it. I am amazed at how she notices the small details. I bet that Tim and Jeff probably crushed at least 10 of these nests and never even noticed.
This is Jeff at the top of the world. I couldn't get a good picture and kept making him come closer to the edge to get a better view.
Tim does not love having his picture taken, but was a good sport and smiled for a minute.
Taking a break before climbing through the cracks.
He jumped it anyway......
Kathy and I posed for a couple photo, If you notice Jake, this is a great example of how much alone time we usually get.
We made it to the top and the view was awesome. You could look all the way across the Las Vegas Valley. It was tough carrying the camera, water and gear all the way up to the top. (Fortunately for Ron S. he travelled light when proposing to Carol S. .He didn't even have a ring to tote up to the top. This was one of he answers that I got wrong in the contest)
I really like this picture of Mom and Son, taking a moment to enjoy the view. I wonder what is going through Jake's mind. Tim and Jeff both stand with their hands on their hips with their elbows back during breaks in sports. We have wondered where this comes from, the question was answered today, just look at Mom.
Victory. (P.s. Check out how buffed my wife is)
Jeff taking a moment to pose at the top of the World.
Mandy is our photographer. She spotted this caterpillar crawling across the web and had to get a picture of it. I am amazed at how she notices the small details. I bet that Tim and Jeff probably crushed at least 10 of these nests and never even noticed.
This is Jeff at the top of the world. I couldn't get a good picture and kept making him come closer to the edge to get a better view.
I know that you are supposed to smile in pictures, but this was one of my favorites from the day. I think Mandy and Jake look alike. They could have been twins if only they wern't born years apart and Mandy is a girl.
Tim does not love having his picture taken, but was a good sport and smiled for a minute.
Taking a break before climbing through the cracks.
Jeff and Kathy. It wasn't too long ago that she was taller than him.
On the way down we decided to try a different route. We climbed down some pretty steep drops, but eventually made it out.
In the end, we had a fun day, nobody got hurt and we did not get the free helicopter ride out that some of the tourists get when they get stuck on a ledge. After we made it back to the Excursion we ate our sandwiches. I would have liked to drove down into town and ate at the drive through at Burger King (Carol and Ron had their first date there, and I did get that answer right) Maybe next year we can go back with a few more friends and family and make a full day of it. It sure beats working in a Dental office on the weekend.
On the way down we decided to try a different route. We climbed down some pretty steep drops, but eventually made it out.
In the end, we had a fun day, nobody got hurt and we did not get the free helicopter ride out that some of the tourists get when they get stuck on a ledge. After we made it back to the Excursion we ate our sandwiches. I would have liked to drove down into town and ate at the drive through at Burger King (Carol and Ron had their first date there, and I did get that answer right) Maybe next year we can go back with a few more friends and family and make a full day of it. It sure beats working in a Dental office on the weekend.
P.S. For anyone looking for back-up information on Ron and Carols Aniversary Contest. Here is the link.
that is the craziest pic of jeff jumping across the rock!!!! Ya it sounds like u guys had fun i used to love to hike up there during school hours in hgh school. Now i have kids that ask why are we hiking clear to the top? is there a aprty up there? can i get a dollar if i hike all the way up? etc. and u know i have to hike alone cs will not be joining me cuz he would say black people dont climb rocks!
ReplyDeleteCs is black?
ReplyDeleteSo...we do know your family actually. I teach at Lied MS and my kids are asked at every pass if Kolton is their brother. Also, I am friendly with Machelle L...we are in the same stake and we are together, the best pranksters at girls' camp. :-)
ReplyDeleteGlad to meet you. We are also always asked if we are related to this or that Mecham and I am sure we must be.
Love that photo of your boy jumping...although it made me feel a little sick. Exactly something my boy would do.
Both the girls like the idea of not changing their name so tell your son Jenna turns 16 in March of 2011. She'll be expecting a phone call.
I'm thinking you need to win a prize just for the number of times you commented on us in this post (not because you whined about not winning.) The jumping across the gap photo is incredible, but scary. Typical boy kind of thing. I'm not going to let my grandsons see that photo--they can think of enough dangerous things on their own. Glad you didn't need to use LVMPD Search and Rescue!
ReplyDeleteHike? We didn't hike & climb rocks. My scout master told me, "Never climb higher than you wanna fall." (I'd already fallen...) And the Burger King was many dates prior to Red Rock.
ReplyDeleteGlad no one needed search and rescue.