Las Vegas....Day 3

Today we were going on an adventure that neither of us had ever done before. A helicopter tour! We would travel over Lake Mead, Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon west rim. After a short shuttle ride to Boulder City, NV airport provided by Papillon, we got checked in and were given a safety briefing right in the terminal. The pilots escorted the corresponding groups to their respective rides and went over further safety points. There were several groups and several helicopters. Because of my airline employee status, I got a substantial discount on the price of tickets for this tour! Papillon (pa-pee-on) Grand Canyon tours. We got to sit in the front of the brand new chopper due to computer figures on our actual weight and balance. I was in the middle front and had an awesome view! 3 others were in the back....6 total with the pilot.

We all wore headsets with microphones in order to hear and talk to anyone on board. The pilot, Justin, gave us information on everything we were seeing. It was incredible!

Tina, Justin, Me

Hoover Dam and an unfinished bypass in the forefront.

One part of Lake Mead

We had the best view possible!

The Colorado River down below.

Lake Mead

Back on the ground, the pilot took more pictures for us.

It sorta looks like a fly!

After landing and getting back into the terminal, we bought pictures and I found a t-shirt to remember the occasion. Then we got back into the shuttle bus for our short ride back to Las Vegas. I can't wait to do this again!

It was fairly early in the afternoon when we returned to the hotel. So we decided to relax and go down to the pool and soak up some Nevada sun. We spent the better part of two hours out by the pool. Even with the large amount of children and their parents around, we were able to snooze a bit in our chairs. Loved it!

We still hadn't been down town to Fremont Street. I wanted Tina to see it before we left for home the next day. So we began our trek down the strip until we found a cab to take us the majority of the way down town. Over the top of the street spanning the width and length of the buildings and covering the street entirely, is a canopy. There is a light and music show shown on the huge screen overhead beginning at dusk. Each hour a different show is put on honoring a musical icon. We were able to shop a little bit before the next show. It is so impressive! And on a few intersections, free stages are set up. We happened upon a musician that we both recognized. Alice Cooper minus his makeup. But we knew it was him even though neither one of us is a fan.

After we walked a while we decided we had better get back to our own hotel to pack and get some sleep. We both had to be up at 4AM to get to the airport. We walked to the bus depot a few blocks away and went back south up the strip. Once back in our room, we proceeded to pack and finally get some sleep. It had been a great few days!

Random pictures:

The statues inside Caesars Palace. They move and talk for a brief show.

Caesars Palace...the many levels of shopping.

The big cats at the MGM Grand. This hotel was across the street from our hotel.

Tina and I had a great time in Las Vegas. She did say though, that she is ready to find a new destination. One that she hasn't visited before. Once is enough here! Not me. I can go back again and again.....