Nevada-Las Vegas w/Denise and mom-State 14 of 49 on our Adventure-Part 4

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.

Today is Mother’s Day. Happy Mother’s Day to Lora, Denise, Jackie and all mothers! Bella was up at 6:00 am. We follow the normal routine each morning of walking to the backside of the campground and walking down one row. I put her in the camper and decided to gather all the clothes and do laundry. Everything was done by 8:30 am. I also took my free time time to write the blog.

Everyone was up by 9:00 am. The morning was so nice Denise, Lora and I hung outside the camper under the tree shade while Jackie was the last to wake up.

Once again, The Valley of Fire was taken off the list of places to visit. I did not feel comfortable making a 1 ½ hr. trip one way, tour around, and have a Mother’s Day Lunch under 7 hrs. We talked about visiting The Mob Museum, also known as National Museum of Organized Crime & Law Enforcement, after Denise and Jackie left. Instead of the Valley of Fire we decided to do it today.

The Mob Museum offers a bold and authentic view of organized crime from vintage Las Vegas to the back alleys of American cities and—increasingly—across the borders and networks of the entire world. The restored 1933 former courthouse and post office building is located just minutes from Fremont Street.

The tour takes you to the 3th floor to start. There are good exhibits about the mobsters throughout the US. The beginning shows the evolution of the mob from controlling street corners, through prohibition, growth of Las Vegas, up to present. Between exhibits there are short videos about specific mobs or the exhibits ahead.

The 2nd floor is the court house. In the court house we watched a video about the 14 cities US Senate investigation Hearings, led by Tennessee Senator Estes Kefauver Hearings famous for investigating the mob across America. One hearing took place in the same courtroom.

The other exhibits show the science of cheating and how the mob skimmed off profits to hide the money they earned from gambling in Las Vegas.

The first floor has 100 years of the mob men, real wire tabs and 2 interactive exhibits names Crime Lab and Use of Force. Both are extra admission.

In the basement is a new replica speakeasy from the prohibition days. They manufacture their own moonshine down in the basement and have a bar. The basement just opened in April 2018. The have photos of famous people and provide samples of the moonshine at the bar.

We decided to keep the mob theme for lunch. We drove to Siegel's 1941 Cafe and Restaurant at the El Cortez Hotel and Casino. The Hotel and Casino was once owned by Bugsy Siegel before he was murdered by the Mob. The restaurant was an old style decor. They were offering a free mimosa for the woman. We ordered a Philly Cheese Steak and Shrimp Alfredo. All were tasty. I topped off my meal with a Banana Split. That made my day. If you go to the Mob Museum before eating they provide a coupon for a 2 for 1 burger at Siegel's 1941 and a chance at $5-$500 in casino credit.

After lunch we walked around a little.

We headed to the Las Vegas Strip one last time to show Denise and Jackie during the Strip during the day.

We stopped at the Welcome to Las Vegas sign. We drove by the sign earlier in the week as well. Both times there was a line of people waiting for a picture with the sign. Jumping in the air, arms spread open, groups, singles, all type of poses. The wait can be really long. Move off to the left or right and get the sign without the people in front taking pictures.

We drove back through the strip in the opposite direction.

We stopped at the World’s Largest Gift Shop at the end of the strip.

Denise and Jackie bought a few souvenirs to take back with them. We had an hour before I had to take Denise and Jackie back to the airport. We hung out at the camper before heading to the airport. We said our fair wells to Denise and Jackie and headed back to the camper.

It was great to have Denise and Jackie here for a few days. I tried to show them more than just the Las Vegas Strip. We have learned where to go to have fun and see the sights in and outside the city. Without a car and unwilling to use public transportation there is so much that is lost when visiting Las Vegas. We realized this because 17 years ago we only walked the strip from the Luxor to Treasure Island and knew nothing about the rest of the attractions and mountains nearby.

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