Yay for family visits! Obviously, Mom came out here for the Phoenix Rock & Roll 1/2 Marathon. She and Miss Donna both came out here, actually, and we all met up to go run our little legs off and see Phoenix (none of us had ever been before). But more on that later (Phoenix, obviously, as I've already mentioned the race).
First up, Mom flew into Vegas, which she'd also never been to before. So, I went over to meet her, and we spent a day there before coming back here to post. Had a very busy 24 hours, then back here to collapse. Fun time though! Both of us agreed that Vegas is an eccentric place, different from our own family brand of eccentricity, but still a good trip. As she put it, it wouldn't be a specific destination for her travels, but since I'm living only about 3 hrs out now, it was a good reason to visit. :)
We saw the Blue Man Group on Saturday night. Was SO COOL! Almost missed it too, between flight delays (snow in Newark was bad flying out) and the hotel losing our reservation (free upgrade, though) and so forth. But we made it! Mom squeaked in by the skin of her teeth, just as the show started. :) Awesome, awesome show. I think the original Blue Man cast had to have been a couple drum corps guys - cool drum pieces and tricks (paint on the drum head), quirky humor, and some downright juvenile antics (marshmallows were involved). Yup, sounds like the guys I knew in the drum line! We were in the 3rd row too!! The Poncho section :) Yes, ponchos were provided for those in the front several rows, as there was quite a bit of paint (and other things) splashing about. We didn't get any paint on us, as we were over at the side, but from the 3rd row where we were, we could see SO much, right down to facial expressions. Awesome seats :) After the show the Blue Men and the drummers came out to meet the audience. I got pictures with 2 of them, and one signed my ticket when I asked! Well, by "signing," I mean that he kissed it, so it has Blue Man blue paint on it :)
On Sunday, we visited the Titanic and BODIES exhibits that Zach and I had seen in the summer. Mom hadn't seen them yet, and I was totally willing to go again :) Both are really interesting, and if you get the chance, you should go. I know BODIES travels, or has similar exhibits that do - it's the exhibit with the preserved human specimens. Goes through all the body's major systems (skeletal, muscular, etc) with preserved samples. Very interesting, especially as a science major! The Titanic exhibit doesn't travel much (I believe it's going to be housed at the Luxor for the next few years) but it's pretty interesting too. Several recreated portions of the ship, and lots of artifacts that have been recovered. I wish it had a little more about what went wrong (why so many people perished - lack of lifeboats, radio mis-communication, etc) and about the recovery efforts, but it was still a well-done exhibit. Did a good job of personalizing the passengers, bringing in stories from the crew and from passengers throughout the different classes. Made it more personal than just 1500 victims - very effective. Both are very well done exhibits, and if you get a chance to go, they are worth the ticket price.
I made sure to take her to the Bellagio too. The Bellagio gardens are updated seasonally, and unfortunately they were mid-update when we visited on Sunday. It looks like it will be a Chinese New Year theme now. The fountains were running as usual, though :)
We saw some of the Vegas wildlife too, and not the lounge lizard type. The Flamingo has a wildlife preserve inside, with lots of koi and water birds and of course flamingos. Very nice free exhibit :) Has a Bugsy Siegel memorial in the central gardens too. Had to stop - I grew up watching History channel specials on old-time gangsters and serial killers (Mom says we grew up warped as a result, but I think we turned out OK!) Besides, it's an interesting memorial that talks about a person like Bugsy, knowing what sort of criminal he was. For example - his suite of rooms at the first Flamingo had 1 entrance and 5 exits, in case he needed to escape someone. And now you know!
The MGM Grand has a lion exhibit, also free. I knew that they had a lion exhibit in the hotel, but didn't learn til we went that they really have about 30 lions 'on staff' at the MGM Grand. The lions live on a ranch just outside Vegas, and rotate in shifts at the hotel. The lions will come in for ~5 1/2 hour shifts in the hotel's habitat area, usually one or two at a time. As a result, each lion has only 1 or 2 shifts at the hotel in a week. Most of the time, they're relaxing at the ranch. The lions are raised to be comfortable around people, and have specific trainers they work with. We lucked out and got there at dinnertime. A trainer was in the habitat, and walking the lion around the enclosure. She'd put ground horsemeat (lion snacks) on the rocks or glass walls of the enclosure, so the lion progressed slowly around the area, having his snacks. Gave lots of opportunities for some very neat pictures!
So, yes, very busy day, and a very good one. I still think that I wouldn't ever make a special long (cross-country, for example) trip to come visit Vegas (aside from conventions or some other specific purpose) but since I only live a few hours away right now, I think I'll continue to take advantage of the shows and exhibits from time to time. Besides, I'll have to go back eventually to keep Zach company at the Blue Man Group when he sees it ;)
On Sunday, we visited the Titanic and BODIES exhibits that Zach and I had seen in the summer. Mom hadn't seen them yet, and I was totally willing to go again :) Both are really interesting, and if you get the chance, you should go. I know BODIES travels, or has similar exhibits that do - it's the exhibit with the preserved human specimens. Goes through all the body's major systems (skeletal, muscular, etc) with preserved samples. Very interesting, especially as a science major! The Titanic exhibit doesn't travel much (I believe it's going to be housed at the Luxor for the next few years) but it's pretty interesting too. Several recreated portions of the ship, and lots of artifacts that have been recovered. I wish it had a little more about what went wrong (why so many people perished - lack of lifeboats, radio mis-communication, etc) and about the recovery efforts, but it was still a well-done exhibit. Did a good job of personalizing the passengers, bringing in stories from the crew and from passengers throughout the different classes. Made it more personal than just 1500 victims - very effective. Both are very well done exhibits, and if you get a chance to go, they are worth the ticket price.
I made sure to take her to the Bellagio too. The Bellagio gardens are updated seasonally, and unfortunately they were mid-update when we visited on Sunday. It looks like it will be a Chinese New Year theme now. The fountains were running as usual, though :)
We saw some of the Vegas wildlife too, and not the lounge lizard type. The Flamingo has a wildlife preserve inside, with lots of koi and water birds and of course flamingos. Very nice free exhibit :) Has a Bugsy Siegel memorial in the central gardens too. Had to stop - I grew up watching History channel specials on old-time gangsters and serial killers (Mom says we grew up warped as a result, but I think we turned out OK!) Besides, it's an interesting memorial that talks about a person like Bugsy, knowing what sort of criminal he was. For example - his suite of rooms at the first Flamingo had 1 entrance and 5 exits, in case he needed to escape someone. And now you know!
The MGM Grand has a lion exhibit, also free. I knew that they had a lion exhibit in the hotel, but didn't learn til we went that they really have about 30 lions 'on staff' at the MGM Grand. The lions live on a ranch just outside Vegas, and rotate in shifts at the hotel. The lions will come in for ~5 1/2 hour shifts in the hotel's habitat area, usually one or two at a time. As a result, each lion has only 1 or 2 shifts at the hotel in a week. Most of the time, they're relaxing at the ranch. The lions are raised to be comfortable around people, and have specific trainers they work with. We lucked out and got there at dinnertime. A trainer was in the habitat, and walking the lion around the enclosure. She'd put ground horsemeat (lion snacks) on the rocks or glass walls of the enclosure, so the lion progressed slowly around the area, having his snacks. Gave lots of opportunities for some very neat pictures!
So, yes, very busy day, and a very good one. I still think that I wouldn't ever make a special long (cross-country, for example) trip to come visit Vegas (aside from conventions or some other specific purpose) but since I only live a few hours away right now, I think I'll continue to take advantage of the shows and exhibits from time to time. Besides, I'll have to go back eventually to keep Zach company at the Blue Man Group when he sees it ;)
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