Thursday 9th February – Vegas baby!

This morning we continued south-east along 375, and then on the 93 south towards Las Vegas.  We had to buy gas yet again at the first available expensive station, but there was no way we were risking another nerve-wracking drive on desolate roads!

We may have been on our way to a hotel booking in Vegas, but the main priority today was to reach Nellis AFB on the outskirts of the City to see the participants of Red Flag taking off and landing. We found a good parking spot where the other aircraft fanatics were already parked with their long-lenses trained on the skies.   This was the highest level of activity we have observed at any AFB so far.  It also happened to be next to police driver training taking place on Las Vegas raceway, so there was never a dull, or quiet, moment!

F/A18 superhornet flying above an A4 Skyhawk

F22 Raptor stealth fighter

F35 lightning II and two F16 fighting falcons - I'm reliably informed the F35 is the new replacement for the F16

F16

The above video, if it's working, is the Thunderbirds display team, along with siren soundtrack.  (Another poor attempt at videoing by me sadly!)  But that is definitely enough planes for now.

We stayed for nearly 3 hours in two locations around the main air strip.  On the way into the city we topped up with propane to keep the fridge/freezer running whilst we were staying in hotel as the RV wouldn't be connected to electricity for the duration of our stay.

Our booking had stated that parking at Treasure Island was free - but not if you’re over-sized!  We were ferried back from a special car park for big units and would have to fork out $20 for each 24 hours of parking.  Nevermind, we checked in to the hotel and had showers to reenergise before going for dinner at Gillies bar, within our hotel.  We didn’t hold back on a rare meal out - we had a sharing platter of BBQ meats with fries and corn, accompanied by cocktails (only because we got a buy one get one free voucher from the hotel).  We then took to the strip for a gentle stroll.  Having seen the prices of some of the shows on offer it was not looking like there was anything worth blowing a significant amount of cash on, which was a disappointment.  However, there appeared to be a way.  If you are somewhat strapped for cash in Vegas, timeshare businesses will offer you almost anything you want in exchange for your time.  I was dubious, but the offers were just too good to turn down.  Basically, for only $10, we would receive tickets to Zumanity, an acrobatic burlesque Cirque du Soleil show, $100 of dining vouchers at a selection of hotels on the strip, $100 of slot play vouchers and a voucher for another 3-day 2-night stay in Vegas.  In exchange for us going to their presentation.  With limited time in Vegas it is a tricky decision, but this would mean we would get to have a posh meal out and see a show as we’d hoped.  Besides, how tricky can it be to just keep saying ‘no’?!  

We spent the majority of the evening roaming the strip, taking photographs of ever more impressive hotels.  Many of you will have seen them first hand or if not in photographs online, so I will keep the pics to a minimum. (Below left - Treasure island; below right - Bellagio)

 

(Left - view of Paris from the Belllagio; right - me at the Mirage)