Hiking the Great Indoors

Boulder Beach Campground, Lake Mead Recreation Area, NV

We got up before sunrise and our original plan was to do some hiking in Death Valley. Looking at the day's itinerary we decided to "hike" the Vegas strip instead. We thought it would be fun to walk from Mandalay to the Fashion Show Mall then cross the street and head back. The only rule was we had to enter each and every hotel and casino. What we didn't factor in was getting lost in the maze of casino madness and all the stairs up and down. It took us 6 hrs and we think we did 10 miles.

At first we vowed to skip all escalators and only walk the stairs. By the end we were scouting out each and every escalator as the strip kept changing levels and forced pedestrians to meander through obscure passageway in the casinos. We got lost in the Mirage for at least 45 minutes somewhere in the bowels of the convention center. Gawd....

 

Before we left Death Valley we did manage to walk to Zabriskie Point. We were the only ones there. So cool to see the badlands in the early morning light. We also had fun taking numerous selfies of our shadows. Yeah, we're easily entertained.

 

 

Back to the strip...Our favorite hotel was the Aria with the bicycles hanging from the ceiling--go figure. We also liked the Bellagio, but more for sentimental reasons. It was the first trip Ned and I went on together about 15 years ago. Ned courted me with a trip to Vegas, tickets to Cirque du Soleil and a friend's wedding on Mt. Charleston. It was my first trip to Las Vegas. I was underwhelmed with Vegas, but smitten with Ned.

The canals at the Venetian, the roller coaster at NY-NY, the Eiffel Tower and the musical fountains were kitschy fun. We were not so much impressed by all the high end shopping malls. Note: this observation by someone who doesn't own any name brand clothing...unless I inherit if from Megan.

 

 

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The people watching today was pretty crazy. Of course there were also countless Elvis impersonators wondering the streets too.

 

 

On the strip is the only Bean to Bar chocolate maker in the state of Nevada. Ned had met the owners at one of the chocolate conferences so of course we had to check it out.

It felt good to finally sit after about 4 hours of walking at this point and do a tasting. They used some of the same varieties of beans we use so the direct comparison was interesting. (Trying to be impartial, but I think Ned is the far superior chocolate maker.) The young kid giving us the tasting was really sweet. It was also fun to see their chocolate making lab. If you get a chance check out Hexx in the Paris hotel/casino.

Walking thru the Bellagio and admiring the incredible flower displays. For the record we never gambled or stopped for any adult libation. I'm pretty sure we violated some Vegas code.

 

 

 

 

We also really enjoyed all the interesting sculptures. Love the seats in the top picture wth the fountain display in the back.

Ned was fascinated with the metal craftsmanship of the woman on the lower left. It was huge at least 40 ft.

The bird was made entirely from flowers!

 

 

 

After a very exhausting day, we were thrilled that tonight's camping spot was only about 40 miles away. We're staying at Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Still in Nevada, but super close to the Hoover Dam.

 

 

Home for tonight. I was expecting us to be camping in dirt with no trees. We were pleasantly surprised to get such a sweet spot. It felt good to get back to nature after so many neon signs, casino noise, crazy people and over the top hotels. Time to polish off the red wine we opened the first night and make a batch of popcorn.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Warming up in Death Valley

Furnace Creek Campground, Death Valley, CA

We went from 7500 ft in elevation and a chilly 38 degrees this morning to 200 ft below sea level and well into the 90's by this afternoon. Finally!

We've been to Death Valley at least half a dozen times, always entering from the west. This time we decided to enter on the Nevada side heading into the valley from the East. The view coming in was beautiful, despite the hazy, cloudy day. I still prefer entering from the West and having the experience of driving thru the valley.

On our way there we were treated to a cattle round up. We stopped by the side of the road and watched the cowboys rustle up the cows in a field and then guide them across the road.

 

 

 

We set up camp at high noon and after a quick lunch we biked over to Furnace Creek Ranch. This time of year it's usually in the triple digits. Ned was just fine with it being around 90ish with a warm dry breeze.

 

For $5 you can get a day pass for the showers. They just so happened to be located in the pool area. It was a perfect afternoon swimming, reading, napping...repeat.

 

 

The grounds at Furnace Creek are really beautiful. Great that the general store is located here as well. I feel like we are glamping. While we are actually camped in a desert parking lot, just a short bike ride away is all this luxury!

 

 

 

View from our campsite, facing the mountains. The geology of this area is so stunning.

 

 

After dinner we took a bike ride over to the Harmony Borax Works and puttered around the historical displays.

 

 

We might be old, but Ned can still do a selfie while riding a bike. Impressive.

 

 

We had the place almost to ourselves. Who else rides in 90+ weather?

 

Time for an evening swim. Later gator...

 

 

 

 

 

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A Little Bit of Everything

 

Benton Hot Springs, CA

I'm so ready for vacation. We planned our first stop at Benton Hot Springs where we could just relax and not think about chocolate, rain, politics or any adult responsibilities. It's been a really long winter.

Good news is we made it. The journey however, included hail, snow, sleet, some sunshine and more rain. Ah...best laid plans.

 

Ned smiling while enjoying the five minutes of sun that appeared today. Mono Lake in the background.

 

 

 

Love the green and blue hues of Mono Lake. We opted not to do our traditional tufa walk since it was too cold and wet. Nevertheless, Mono Lake never disappoints.

 

 

We're calling this trip "Off the Beaten Path". It's our 9th road trip across the U.S. and this time we're trying to explore the places we've missed on our previous trips. Yes, there will always be a few of our favorites revisited too.

On the road to Benton Hot Springs we experienced snow, rain and lots of rolling road. Didn't see any other cars so at least the trip is aptly named!

 

 

Ah, our little piece of heaven in the desert. In the background you can see our personal soaking hot springs.

Now, if only the weather would cooperate and it would stop raining and sleeting so we could go soak!

 

Time for Plan B. Wine and some munchies while we wait out the rain.

Thank you Winnie for having an awesome heater to keep us warm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can't beat this! After about 45 minutes the rain (and snow flurries) let up. We're actually now appreciating the cooler weather. It makes the hot springs so much more enjoyable.

Ned, the science guy, brought his infra-red thermometer. (Of course he did). The temp is 100 and the incoming water is 108. For those inquiring minds.

 

 

 

 

The quiet of the desert, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and out of cell phone range. Let the vacation begin.

 

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Home...with the bourbon barrel!

We made it home and so did the bourbon barrel. After picking it up at 4 Roses Distillery in Kentucky we carried that dang thing around with us for over 8,000 miles. Our plan is to age some Trinidad nibs in the barrel. Hopefully we'll have some yummy bourbon barrel aged chocolate available this fall.

 

 

 

 

Guess who was at our house when we arrived? Megan and Kevin! We enlisted Kevin's help in getting the bourbon barrel opened up. So exciting! The day we bought this barrel, bourbon was emptied out of it that very morning. It definitely has a bourbon aroma. We dried our towels over the barrel daily and yes, they always smelled like bourbon. mmm, maybe so did we?

Megan was so cute anticipating the bourbon fragrance.

 

 

Opening up the barrel and Kevin's face says it all. Yep, Angel's share right there!

Thanks family and friends for joining us on our latest road trip adventure. It was so fun sharing our journey with you.

Now, back to chocolate making, building a chocolate lab and selling chocolate!

 

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Crater Lake - Last Night of our Adventure

Location: Collier State Park, Oregon

We had a long hot drive thru Washington & Oregon, but the big pay-off was stopping by Crater Lake. We've been here many, many times, but one never gets tired of seeing this deep blue crater.

 

 

 

Crazy to see how much snow is still on the ground here.

 

Even funnier to see all the kids and families playing in it, with shorts and summer clothing.

 

 

 

Do I look hot and road weary? Our air conditioner went out so we drove old school style...windows down for 8 hrs.

 

You know what fixed that?

Drinks at the lodge.

 

 

Ned looks pretty happy with that cold beer too. (Hurry up Debi and take the damn picture I want to drink this beer.)

 

We're camped at Collier State Park in Oregon. Our last campsite of the trip. What a great journey it has been.

Nevada City here we come!

 

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Cherry Pie Making Day

Location: Uncle Bug's House, Nine Mile Falls.

I woke up first thing this morning and couldn't wait to pick those luscious sweet cherries. Before you know it, Uncle Bug and Ned were picking along too.

 

 

 

 

 

Bud's strategy...pick one, eat one.

 

 

We ended up with about 7 lbs. of cherries.

What's a girl to do?

 

Put my cousin Cary to work pitting them, that's what!

 

 

Before you know it, we were all pitting cherries. Nope, we didn't have a cherry pitter, but Ned and Uncle Bud poked around the garage and came up with a set of allen wrenches. Worked like a charm. Cary perfected the technique. Poke the Allen wrench in the pointy side and the pit squirts out on the stem side.

 

Lisa and I made them into cherry pies. (And there were still lots of fresh cherries left over for our ride home tomorrow).

The hardest part was keeping Uncle Bud out of the pies as they cooled.

 

Such a fun day just hanging with my cousins on the back porch enjoying the warm breeze, talking the day away.

Cary and I were going to do some wheelchair races, but he called the electric chair and was going to stick me with the manual one. So, not fair cuz!

 

 

In the afternoon, Lisa and I picked a couple more bowls of cherries. Didn't even make a dent in the trees.

 

Tonight the big activity was getting a lesson on "Airdrop". Afterwards, a flurry of photos flew between iPads. Yes, we are an Apple Family. Good times.

p.s. Cary is sneaking in a game of wordswithfriends. I see you Cary.

 

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