A Visit to Bonnie Springs Nevada

Visiting Bonnie Springs

West of the valley near Las Vegas is a little spot known as Bonnie Springs. It hosts a small restaurant, a petting zoo, and a rustic town attraction called Old Nevada. Enjoy a melodrama in the town, a great breakfast or burger in the restaurant, or a horseback ride. Stay at the resort motel overnight or just make it a day trip. Unwind and relax around the duck pond and nature scenes. The view of nearby Red Rock from the west side is wonderful!

The ranch we know today was started in 1952 by Bonnie McGaugh who sadly passed away on January 29, 2016. It has been a favorite time out for locals and visitors alike. The attraction is a great way to wrap up a trip to Red Rock Canyon after a day hiking and touring. The area is serene and pleasant except for the occasional calls of the peacocks wandering the property. All in all it is a neat little hideaway.

Old Nevada

This rustic town's setup is host to a melodrama featuring old timey cowboys, a sheriff, and some bank robbers. There is a shootout, a capture, and a hanging. All of it is staged, of course, but the fun reflects the Old West right in the streets of a model western town. There are small shops inside that mimic life in the wild west. Common merchants found around the 1800's time period are represented. You will find a telegraph office, stables, mercantile shops, and a black smith.

Old Nevada

Virtual Tour and Train Ride - Bonnie Springs Ranch

The property has been featured on ghost hunts for paranormal activity!

The Duck Pond

My favorite part of a visit to Bonnie Springs is the small duck pond which is fed by a natural spring in the area. This water attraction features turtles ambling up to the rock formation in the center and a variety of waterfowl. Ducks wander aimlessly across the surface and dive into the murky depths of this shallow pond. The sound of the water is relaxing and a great place to enjoy an after dinner nature scene.

Duck Pond  - Bonnie Springs

Female Mallard Duck

Peacock Sanctuary

One of the best features of the Ranch are the peacocks waltzing around the property. Their screeches announce new visitors and invite their females to approve them for the mating season. Their lovely tails are a bright collage of teardrop marked feathers in lovely iridescent blues and greens. These lovely birds are all over the interior property. The one below is the guardian of the parking lot. 

Did you know: Peacocks or peafowl are not native to the States. They are imported from India or Sri Lanka. 

Peacock Guide - You will be greeted at the parking lot by one or more peacocks that live on the ranch.
This variety of bird is stunning. Please, do not collect tail feathers unless you ask permission. 

For hours of operation and information on motel reservations 

visit the website

http://bonniesprings.com/

The Majestic Peacock
by Maria Burgess

How Do You Use Your Iphone While In Vegas

I see them. They are walking aimlessly around staring at their phone screens and stumbling through the crowded busy streets. Cell phone users checking their social media posts, adding new photos to their Instagram feed, absent mindedly chasing down their closest Pokemon Go treasure. 

Cellphones are wonderful tools for communication and information seeking. They are our link to the world of social networks and news sources. Streaming videos, music, and more entertaining items are at our fingertips. Our smart phones contain a seemingly unlimited supply of time consuming applications for games and shopping and mind boggling endeavors.

This man did something really creative with his smartphone when he was delayed and stranded at the airport in Las Vegas. He used the time as an opportunity to do a dramatic piece using the most appropriate music of Vegas' songbird, Celine Dion as his lipsynch and background music. I give this guy five gold stars in effort and ingenious use of time.

Enjoy!

Open Mic at Owl In Las Vegas

Owl Wall Logo

Open Mic at Owl in Las Vegas and My Thoughts on Some Types Of Humor

A friend of mine let me know he was going to be filming an open mic event at a new bar named Owl tonight and invited me along if I had time. I decided it would be good to get out for a bit and enjoy some local talent. I really, really wanted to enjoy some local talent. When you read what I experienced below you will understand why I repeated that statement. 

What I witnessed instead was a collection of the city's common trash. By the definition of trash, I mean that most of the dialog can be overheard in any long waiting taxi line, lifestyle choice lounge, or tweaked out neighborhood street corner. It is not original and in most cases not humorous. It is the sad examples of human behavior mistakenly called humor. 

The topics ranged from sexually explicit issues to racial jokes. In light of recent events, most of this was in extremely poor taste and I would suggest that the owner or manager seriously screen and audition the folks that are going to be sharing the light on their stage. This is not to reflect badly on the event coordinator and MC. He did a great job introducing the players and arranging for a full schedule of performers. Better luck next time. (May I suggest musicians?)

Open Mic MC and Players

My thoughts on one specific "comic" were that his friends probably laugh at him not because he was funny, but the fact that he was that stupid. Tasteless commentary is not funny. The lack of a filter is not funny. Toilet humor reveals a childish and immature intellect. Classic comedians like Buddy Hackett and George Carlin got away with their trashy humor because they chose it carefully and warmed their audiences up to the final punchline. These two comedians got extremely raunchy in their acts, but they tied in timing and strong storytelling with their jokes. 

None of the amateur comics had much of a response from the audience until I decided to walk out of the room after the last comedian made a very vulgar statement and verbally dragged me into his act. I'm sorry, sir (using that term loosely) the total disregard for your audience and the fact you hazed your critic was a really bad move. No one was laughing. I pondered the fact that a pig had more class than this fellow.

The Talent

The night was not a total bust. There was a lovely guitar set with a gentleman playing original songs. The music was comfortable, lyrics bright and warm, and the sound - easy to listen to. His voice was pleasant. This was the talent I was expecting. Thank heavens this performer came before the last acts or I would have missed any performance of good taste.

I will certainly think twice before attending an open mic at this location or any for that matter. I seriously do not relish spending my time in offensive language and dialog. If I wanted that I'd just go to the worst side of town and eavesdrop on the patrons there. No serious effort needed.