Living in Las Vegas

I think I am having a mid-week crisis or something.  I am still feeling the need to rant, I can’t get my ipod to work, I had to stay late at the office again and my financial situation is just complete chaos. 

 So, in an effort to lighten my mood,  I thought I would go over some of the best things about Las Vegas.  Please note these are my random thoughts in no particular order and subject to change based on date, time and my mood!

1.  Gas stations, convenience stores and most grocery stores are open 24/7.  It’s just comforting to know, if/when there is a midnight emergency (beer, ice cream . . .) you can just run down to the store and get what you need.

2. No last call. If you are partying at a bar or club in Vegas, trust me 2am comes and goes with no problem.  As you know, I enjoy and appreciate uninterrupted partying.

3.  Awesome hotels and casinos and spas. I have seen and stayed at some really cool hotel rooms.  It’s so fun to just get a room, relax and be a tourist.  The Strip can be fun if you’re not driving or trying to cross it in rush hour traffic. 

4.  You cannot get lost in Las Vegas.  Vegas is completely surrounded by desert and mountains.  If you hit either make a U-turn and drive back into town. You will eventually find your way, trust me.

 5.  You can make U-turns at most intersections. This comes in handy  for the directionally challenged.

6.  If you are hungry, there is a restaurant to fit your every mood.  I have had the opportunity to enjoy some incredible meals and dining experiences here in Las Vegas.

7.  You do not need a winter wardrobe.  In fact, air conditioning can be a little over zealous in the summer and I actually need a sweater year round.  But I do not own or have a need for boots, gloves or a scarf.

8.  All the good concerts come into town.  And of course, there are always good shows on the Strip.

9.  Friends love to come visit.  Although I do like to get out of town occasionally, it’s always nice to have friends come here.  Then we can just go out and have a good time without all the hassle of traveling.

10. It’s sunny 24/7.  It’s a desert, you can pretty much count on it always being sunny.  We’ve been had a few rainy weekends this winter, and that one snow day, but that’s about it, you can count on sun every day.

It’s that time of year again!  Yes, my favorite radio station, Mix 94.1 is hosting its annual Bite of Las Vegas fest on Saturday, October 18th at Desert Breeze Park. A year goes by so fast, seriously, I can’t belive it.

Be prepared for crazy parking, crazy crowds, and crazy good food and music.  They have some awesome bands coming for the $8 admission.  The lineup at the House of Blues main stage is:

Even I might have to brave the crowds again to check out these bands.

The food lineup is also going to be great.  Some of my faves include Famous Dave’s BBQ, Golden Spoon, Gorden Biersch and Zaba’s Mexican Grill.  And the cool thing is you can try everything because the “bites” only cost $1 to $5 each. 

Don’t forget to bring a canned food item to recieve $1 off your ticket, plus $1 of each ticket will be donated to the City Mission of Las Vegas.  Have fun!!

Camping at Sequoia was a blast and it brings back memories of the time we camped at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area a few years back.  Now forgive me, but honestly, I don’t remember exactly where we camped, but the bathrooms were clean and we had an awesome time!!

Lake Mead is the largest man made lake and was created by the Hoover Dam. Like the rest of Las Vegas, it is open 24/7, except for some beach areas that are only open from dawn to dusk.  The visitor center is open from 8 - 4:30 daily.  The price is $5 per car for 1 - 5 days or $20 for an annual pass.   The America the Beatiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass will set you back $80, but that pass covers it all, including Sequoia National Park. 

Lake Mead has over 700 miles of shoreline and offers a countless number of activities in and around the lake.  Along with the usual fishing, boating, and water skiing a visit to Lake Mead could include a hike in the backcountry or a scenic drive down Northshore Road.  For a true vacation, I would definitely check into camping or renting a house boat.  To get all the latest information, Lake Mead has its own newspaper, the Desert Lake View, available  for free to help you start planning your own awesome vacation!!