EDC 2016 - Las Vegas Motor Speedway

EDC 2016 just wrapped up and the sets are being torn down, the party goers are aching from the three day dance fest and indulgence. The cleaning crews are sweeping up confetti and the trucks are shipping the DJs to the next scheduled appearance. It is a spectacle of color and sound, The Electric Daisy Carnival. There are rides and stunning displays. The crowd is just as curious as the event decor. There are fireworks and flames. Fairies and unicorns. It is a blend of sight and sound dedicated to the celebration of the human spirit. It has also been a major summer scene in Vegas.

The first time I saw the ladies flitting around in the white bikinis and tutus I thought there was a costume party no one knew about. We quickly learned what EDC was all about. We'd like to thank those visitors for bringing their unique presence to our city and bringing your special style with you. It was an entertaining event all around.

Announcement Trailers:

Amazon EDC Shopping

Under the Electric Sky A behind the scenes look at
The Electric Daisy Carnival

Tees and more:

EDC 2016 Women's Tee

Local news related to the 2016 Electric Daisy Carnival

The Riviera - A Vegas Icon Up In Smoke

June 14, 2016 - This morning marks a turning point on the north end of the Las Vegas Strip. A historical moment was recorded by hundreds of locals and a few dozen visitors alike. News teams rallied for their position on the surface and in the skies overhead via helicopters. The Riviera's Monaco Tower would be removed from existence in the early morning hours.

The Iconic Riviera Sign - One of the original neon creations familiar on the Resort Corridor in Las Vegas.

Everyone who was interested in the event jockeyed for position as close as the security monitors would let them. Paradise was closed to all traffic as were all the streets surrounding this aged property. The west end proved to be an adequate viewpoint for this author. The wait began. The first firework would launch and this would be the signal to pay close attention as the countdown began. A historical Vegas property would be turned into dust and rubble momentarily. There would be a large, gaping hole in the familiar skyline where this old resort stood. 

Interested onlookers drove as far in as they possibly could and gridlocked both the Strip corridor North and Paradise Road just east of the location. This stall in traffic movement would allow for spectators to safely step out of their cars and watch from the travel lanes. Cell phones were out and the implosion parties began. The fireworks and colorful displays were magnificent. 

Implosion parties are a tradition in this fair city. These hotels and casinos have hosted the biggest names in show business. It is with honor they are demolished. They are carefully folded up like an  old, familiar blanket and tucked away in photograph and video, a chapter in the city's history book. 

The close of a property's chapter in local history ends with a pyrotechnic bang and a nice crowd. They cheer, hoot, and holler in delight at the fireworks show preceding the explosion. The whistles and applause echo along with the concussion within the wired building. One by one support beams and flooring structures would knock loose and the structure would collapse neatly upon itself, leaving a huge dust cloud in its wake. It is the death of an icon. It is the end of an era.

East View 

(From my friend Travis Gunter)

West View 

(from the author M Burgess)

Sky View - News Reel

(KTNV Channel 13 Las Vegas)

Famous Faces and Players from The Riviera

Images Courtesy Amazon Associates

Engelbert Humperdink

Johnny Carson

Red Skelton Program 

The Riviera - Las Vegas

Sweet Surprises Exploring the Southern Nevada Mountain Ranges - part one

The deserts and hillsides around Las Vegas provide a welcome change to visitors who live in areas where the natural landscape is obscured by city buildings or multitudes of trees. 

What many visitors do not know is that there are many gems within a few minutes or hours of the city worthwhile for exploring. 

Peak at Red Rock Canyon 
[Zazzle Affiliate Link]

Red Rock Canyon

The mountain ranges in the Vegas Valley are often commented upon by my clients as we are able to see them. I make sure to point out the west end marker of Red Rock Canyon for its odd shaped slope and jagged peak. It is a great way for them to get their bearings for directions. Bright sun in the morning and a closer look reveal a colorful hillside. It is one of my favorite spots for nature walks or a quick and carefree drive out of town for a bit. 

There is a 13 mile, one way road loop here that is idea for cruising with car or motorbike, bicycle. Stops along the route provide day camp areas for lunch and exploring. One might catch a glimpse of a ground squirrel or two or a flying critter, one of many to inhabit the area. The ground squirrels look like chipmunks without the stripes and are a dusty, light brown in color. Foxes, road runners, burros, and long horn sheep are among the wildlife that may be spotted in the area.

Bonnie Springs Motel Sign

Bonnie Springs - Old Nevada

After the canyon tour is exhausted, slip on up about two miles further west and enjoy Bonnie Springs. The small ranch features a hotel, a rustic town named Old Nevada, and a horse riding facility. There is a small restaurant and a petting zoo which is ideal for small families looking for activities in the area. 

The animals are friendly, but be cautious of the deer. They are a bit skitterish at times. When my daughter Becca was a toddler, she bumped one of them and was knocked down. It stepped over her and we have sung "Becca got run over by a reindeer" to her ever since....

The peacocks will greet you in the parking lot. They are lovely with bright blue plumage and will perhaps annoy you with their screeching mating calls. If you are lucky they will do a full NBC presentation with their beautiful tail feathers. Let me leave you with a word of warning here. Do not attempt to collect feathers. They are carefully guarded. I believe they are said to be bad luck, anyhow.

For more about Bonnie Springs by this author - A Visit to Bonnie Springs
http://las-vegas-tourist-attractions.blogspot.com/2016/07/a-visit-to-bonnie-springs-nevada.html

Your Tour Guide of Bonnie Springs Ranch


Majestic Peacock Gifts and Prints on Zazzle 

Mount Charleston - Lodge, Resort, and Camping

Mount Charleston is about an hour from the heart of the city of Las Vegas, Nevada. The mountain peak sits at around 11,000 feet. This is a fact many do not know about our area. This elevation will carry and hold snow for a few months beginning in late Fall. It is a fabulous winter haven for recreation. Skiing, snowboarding, inner tubing, and snowball fights are just a few of the adventures one may partake of while visiting between mid November and late April. The snow is assisted by a machine designed to toss artificial flakes onto the mountain slopes if adequate snowfall does not occur. 

In and Around the Mt. Charleston Lodge. 

Reserve a cabin at the Lodge on Mount Charleston or stay in the rustic Resort. If roughing it is a familiar theme with family outings, Hilltop Campground is just a few minutes drive from the Resort. It features many sites for tents and trailers alike. There are trails and woods to explore and nature scenes to capture the attention. The valley view is stunning and the trees are simply nature at its finest. Visit the upper trails near the ski lift and learn about Bristlecone Pines, some of the oldest living trees in the country. Information boards and images line most of the walking trails and are instructional as well as entertaining. 

Two years ago our hills to the northwest were lit up with a devastating fire. The main tour area has remained unharmed, thankfully. Mt. Charleston Memories are among my favorite camping trips. The mountain is a spectacular get away for weekends and I enjoyed several years of girl's camp here when I was a teenager. 

I hope someday you can enjoy these areas the way we do. Take one day on your visiting schedule and experience the real Nevada. There is a lot to see outside of the Las Vegas Strip. 

Thank you for visiting!

For more about camping in and around Nevada see these posts on my sister blog Prep123

Camping on Mt Charleston with a Dog and a Dutch Oven

http://preparedness123.blogspot.com/2015/09/camping-on-mt-charleston-with-dog-and.html

Camping with a Dog and a Dutch Oven Part Two (Eagle Valley Reservoir near Pioche, Nevada)

http://preparedness123.blogspot.com/2015/09/camping-with-dog-and-dutch-oven-part-two.html