Nevada-Las Vegas w/Denise and mom-State 14 of 49 on our Adventure-Part 3

If you are a first-time reader, welcome to Lora and Erics RV Adventure Blog. You can read about us at http://www.LoraandEricsRVAdventure.com. We started in December 2017 with a goal to complete 49 states before heading home to North Carolina.

The first full day with Denise and Jackie was busy for us all. We were running on little sleep from the night before when they arrived in Las Vegas.

Poor Jackie was plum wore out sleeping on the chair outside the camper in between the Hoover Dam and visiting the Las Vegas Strip yesterday

We are headed to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, 40 minutes from our campground. This is another must see if you have transportation while visiting Vegas. The admission is $20.00 per vehicle, but I heard the prices are going may go up in June. The advantageous method of entry is by purchase an annual pass for $80.00 and if you are 62 years old or older, then the pass is a lifetime pass. Your payback if you are a local is easily recovered if you like to hike or bike here at Red Rock Canyon or swim and boat at Lake Meade. You also have other great National Parks within 4 hrs. that can be up to $30.00 per car load.

We went to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area last Monday, but because I was under 60 miles in fuel we stopped once and then drove through the 13 miles stretch without stopping. Red Rock Canyon was designated as Nevada's first National Conservation Area. Red Rock Canyon is located 17 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip on Charleston Boulevard/State Route 159. Red Rock has much to offer including a 13-mile scenic drive, miles of hiking trails, rock climbing, mountain biking, road biking, picnic areas, nature observing and visitor center with indoor and outdoor exhibits. In 1990, special legislation supported by the Nevada congressional delegation, changed the status of the Red Rock Recreation Lands to a National Conservation Area, the seventh to be designated nationally. The diverse mountains, stunning rock features and colors are amazing to see. The change in scenery from Red Rock to Sand Stone is wonderful. The road is one-way and is nice and wide to allow for passing. There are many parking sections along the way for hiking and photo opportunities.

I had Jackie try out Lora’s hiking poles we purchase in Albuquerque. After about 10 minutes she was maneuvering down the hill and rocks slow, but much more stable. I shot a few pictures of Denise on rocks with her camera and got a couple with Jackie on a rock.

We walked down a little further before heading back up. Lora had stayed in the car because she is afraid of stepping a snake or scorpion, which probability is on her side for not, but she can’t knock the fear mongers on Facebook.

We spend nearly 3 hours driving the 13 miles stretch, well worth the visit. We never seen a donkey or tortoise as shown on caution signs.

At the exit of the Conservation Area I seen a sign for Spring Mountain Ranch State Park and Bonnie Ranch. I recall seeing on the local news a segment on a local ghost town. We headed in the direction of the 2 ranches. We past Spring Mountain State Park and Bonnie Ranch is a 1 mile or 2 further. Once I seen the entrance sign I knew this was the same Ranch I had seen on the local news.

Originally built in 1843 as a stopover for the wagon trains going to California along the Old Spanish Trail, Bonnie Springs Ranch lies in the heart Nevada’s iconic Red Rock Canyon. Only a half hour from the Las Vegas Strip, Bonnie Springs serves the desert community as a reprieve from the bustle of the city and recalls the West’s quieter, scenic past.

Just before reaching the parking area we seen our first signs of wild donkey's. Jackie made a comment of there's a horse inside a fenced in area. Then a short moment later I seen the donkey's.

In 1846, General Fremont (en route to California) stopped at what is now Bonnie Springs Ranch to gear up for his trip through Death Valley and established the site’s significance. It was not until 1952, under the provision of Bonnie McGaugh, a former Las Vegas Dancer, and Al Levinson, a New York businessman, that the ranch saw substantial renovation and resuscitation before opening to the public as a tourist attraction in 1958.

The admission to the Old Town and Zoo is $10.00 for adults. We paid for the admission to Old Town and had time for a meal before the shows begin at 4:00 pm.

The Restaurant and mini pond with ducks and turtles with places to sit and walk is free. We headed over to the World-Famous Bonnie Springs Ranch Restaurant and Bar, known to be the best food and fun in the Red Rock Canyon area. It is also the only restaurant and bar in Red Rock Canyon!

The Bonnie Springs Ranch Restaurant has been popular with locals and visitors since opening in 1964. The food is is very good. Lora and Jackie had Philly Cheese Steak, Denise had a burger, and I had BBQ Chicken entrée. The food was very good.

The 2 doors to get is are old but opens into a really nice bar area and restaurant. There are ties with dollar bills hanging from the rafters in the bar area. The story goes the Owners wanted visitors to come to relax. When a local came into the bar one day with a tie an argument ensued. The tie was taken off and thrown in the rafters. After that anyone who came in with a tie had to leave it in the rafters. People started to stick $1.00 bills on the ties with notes. After 9-11, the owners removed the money and donated approximately $18,000 to the 9-11 Fund. The ties remained in the rafters and $1.00 bills once again were added till today. Great story.

There was a young couple with 2 small children behind Lora and Jackie. The baby kept reaching for Mom’s boob. She left for a little bit. Denise mentioned you know what that means, he’s hungry. A few minutes later she sits back down facing Denise and I, plus the rest of the restaurant and the son grabs mom’s boob and starts a sucking. They carried on for a good 10 minutes then he went onto the next boob. The husband finished up his food. She and he took a shot of liqueur, paid the bill and left. At least she was decent looking and nice boobs.

We had 7 minutes to get to the first show in Old Town. This was the bank robbery show. The show included visitor’s children as Deputy Marshals. It was very cute show.

We waited and walked for the next show. After the short show we started to walk down to the end. The Wax Museum doors were locked.

We went to the salon in the far back. We stayed in there to keep cool.

People were gathering around so the next show was going to be here. Lora called me over and said the hanging is next and this is something else. Once again cranky set in. Do you really want to stay till 5:00 pm and still go out tonight? I’m not making it a long night. Jackie and Denise walked to the sign outside and read the times. It only made them more confused. After some snide remarks between Lora and I back and forth the decision was to leave. The show just started but we kept moving back to the entrance. I walked into each building with exhibits and shot pictures in a hurry.

The drive back was quiet. We stopped at the Red Rock Canyon Sign for Denise to take a picture and headed home.

We stayed at the camper for about 1 ½ hrs. Lora slept for a short bit and asked for Denise and I to check out her mouth. Her tooth looked abscessed. I suggested to her to start taking the medicine from her dentist in Rocky Mount and call on Monday. She has an appointment on Tuesday with Dr. Jeffery Wang here in Las Vegas. She thinks she may lose the tooth.

I ordered the Lyft Driver and in 3 minutes he was here. The Lyft driver said he was a political refugee from Cuba. He is a MD in General Practice schooled in Cuba. In Cuba he was paid $40.00 per month. We ran away when Cuba sent him to Venezuela as a doctor exchange. He was given $1,000.00 of the $10,000.00 promised. He went to the American Embassy and registered as a political refugee. He has been here for a year and 1 month in Las Vegas. He is saving money to take the medical exam and practice in the US. Really cool.

We headed to the Fremont Experience. It is much more happening than the strip with live music, street performers in all types of costumes and bits of clothing, and homeless. We were warned to only use cash and watch our pockets and cameras. The only place to sit is when gambling so Lora was not happy. We headed to The Vintage Casino and looked for the coin slots. There was only 1 horse racing game with 8 seats where you add quarters to play. I played some races, won $4.00 and then blew it. Lora looked miserable because she had no dollar bills. Denise played 1c slots. After about 30 minutes or so we headed downstairs and back to the street. It was happening out there now. We all bought some tall slushes. Lora ordered a Long Island Ice Tea, and myself a Hurricane.

We walked into one of the casinos to find original coin slot machines. We found on the 2nd or 3rd floor an antique horse racing quarter slot. Place a quarter bet on 1st and 2nd place finish and win the odds. There are 10 players, 8 horses. I played the game as Denise played slot machines. Lora was extremely bored because she had no $1.00 bills to fill the slots so she was not having fun. After about 30 minutes we headed back out to the Freemont Experience. Now the party started.

We walked to the Golden Nugget to search for the largest golden nugget found. It was a challenge to find the famous nugget. After walking around, asking 2 people, we finally found it. For you’ll readers. From the main entrance/lobby/registration take first right upon entering the glass doors. Go to end of hall, then make a left. The nugget is in a glass enclosure spinning around. The nugget is the largest found by a metal detector, so may not be the largest.

We walked back outside to the street party. The crowd really picked up. There was a new band on stage and more costumes.

We walked a bit more, then called it a night. We walked off the main strip toward a pizza shop. If you want to experience the Las Vegas party nightlife Freemont is the place to be for sure.

I ordered our Lyft and we were in the car in a few minutes. We headed back home. We stayed outside because the weather was so nice. A guy named Bill came over. He was the previous Security Guard for here. He mentioned the new owner has really been improving the park. They removed the drug riffraff and prostitutes. Two girls living on site help with the cleaning and maintenance for reduced rent and one goes to school to be an electrician.

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