Las Vegas/Disneyland Vacation Day Nine

 Sunday July 5th

No pictures to go with today's post - just our return trip home. We met in the lobby about 9:00, returned the rental car, checked in, went through security, and eventually boarded our plane.  We flew United going home and I was very pleasantly surprised to discover entertainment systems. 

The flight was only a little over 2 hours (Kas Vegas to Houston), but it was nice to put a movie on and think that by the time the movie was over, we'd be landing.  I chose to watch Michael and then had a little extra time to start watching Anyone but You. 

The take-off was a bit turbulent and we had a couple more patches of turbulence. I sat by Jon who is a very nervous flyer so he would put a death hold on the arm rests while Prachi and I tried to calm him.  

Our second flight left about 6:30 and was also a little over 2 hours.  It was a pretty smooth flight thank goodness. I finished watching Anyone but You and started watching Grease. 

Zack and I got back home about 10:15.  

Las Vegas/Disneyland Trip Vacation Eight

 

Saturday July 4

This was our one and only relaxing day on this trip.  This morning we traveled over to the Bellagio to see their conservatory and botanical gardens.

Video above: the fountain show at the Bellagio. Music was the national anthem for July 4.

I spent the afternoon in our room editing photos and relaxing.  I took Zack to Taps for dinner - where I got a $16.00 kahlua and cream!!!!!

And how awesome that we didn't even have to leave our room to watch the fireworks over the New York New York. MGM Grand was also doing fireworks. 

Las Vegas/Disneyland Vacation Day Seven

Friday July 3

 This morning was an incredible experience. We got a taste of God's wonderful hand here on earth by visiting Red Rock Canyon in the Mojave Desert. 

We really got fortunate and entrance was free (probably for Independence Day).  Quite honestly, pictures cannot do justice to this magnificent landscape. The red rock mountains looked almost fake transfixed against a clear blue sky. 

 

There were trails you could hike, but due to my pathological fear of snakes I stayed at the car each stop.  The others did not hike too far because of excessive heat. 

We ate lunch at the Yardhouse and then returned to our Hotel to get ready for the night.

This evening we had another amazing experience - The Wizard of Oz at the Sphere.  It was completely immersive and unlike anything I had ever experienced before. 

You are surrounded by a screen larger than 4 football fields and through the magic of AI, 16K resolution (the highest ever), 167,000 speakers along and accompanying special effects, you feel as you are actually there.  The only complaint I have heard (which didn't bother me at all) was that they cut a lot out and made the 102 minute movie into 75 minutes.  

After that we made a short detour to Fremont Street. Dinner was at a Huey Magoo's inside one of the casinos. 

Walked around briefly and went back to our hotel. A nice end to a beautiful day. 

Las Vegas/Disneyland Vacation Day Six

Thursday July 2 

Today we left Anaheim and Disneyland.  While some in our group (mostly CJ) were probably a little sad about this, some others in our group (Zack and me) found it exhausting to keep up the pace of the past four days.  In addition to all the walking inside the parks, the walk from our hotel was about a mile and we did that walk four times a day. All in all though, I had an amazing time and a lot of great memories were made.  

Instead of making a straight drive back to Las Vegas, the women decided we wanted to drive toward Los Angeles and make a stop in Hollywood.  We did not do very much there, but I still had a great time and kept saying to myself, "I can't believe I am here."  We took a vacation every summer when I was a child and have been fortunate to have experienced many of the states in our country, but California was not one of them.  I honestly thought I would never get there. 

Anyway, once we got to Hollywood and parked it was just s short walk to the iconic Chinese Theatre.

As we walked we saw many stars, but I had to take a picture of two of my favorites.

May they both rest in peace.

We did a little walking around and then grabbed lunch at the hard Rock Cafe.

After eating we piled in the car and began the long drive back to Las Vegas. We arrived about 6:30 and checked into our hotel - the Excalibur. 

Zack and I had amazing views from our 6th floor room.

Overall it was a downgrade from the Anaheim Marriot and it was very apparent that it is one of the more dated motels on the strip, but it was still nice.  

We checked in to our various rooms, got settled, and then went to dinner at the bar Taps in the Excalibur where Chris and I got $3.00 margaritas.  Then we walked through the Luxor and New York New York before turning in for the night.  But not before Prachi, Zack, and I got some delicious ice cream/gelato!!!

I enjoyed the day very much!