Vegas Fun

Climbing

I love climbing at Red Rocks! But gale force winds the first couple days that made us stop and just hang on until the gusts went by were making me question my judgement. Day three was the charm!  While it was still a little cool in the morning, we had a fantastic afternoon of climbing in the warm sunshine.

Looking down the rappel line.

Typical bum shot when the belayer is trying to take photos of the climber.

Springs Preserve

It's hard to believe this place is in the middle of Las Vegas, not far from the strip. It's one of our favourite places to go, either in the morning before we head to out to climb or on a rest day. We always get a membership both to support their initiatives and so that we can get early admission before the general public arrives. We were the only ones there on this morning. So quiet and relaxing. 

Andrew enjoys the photography opportunities. 

The cactus garden.

The butterfly garden was out of season but I liked this colourful entrance wall.

Flying

This is the first time we've been back to Vegas area since taking up paragliding. So Jean Ridge was a new spot for us. The conditions weren't spectacular (a few difficult-to-stay-in thermals but no steady wind required for soaring) but we did get several short flights of 4 - 18 minutes. The ridge is about a mile long so if conditions were "on" it would be awesome!!

It's a 20 minute hike from the bottom of the ridge and, thankfully, the road in was doable in our Prius. There's also a road to the top but a 4x4 is definitely needed for that. Sort of humorous that one of the dirt bikers we encountered was more impressed by the fact we got there in the Prius than he was by the fact we were flying off the ridge.

In addition to the dirt bikers, there are a ton of ATV's and people out shooting guns. We learned that it's one of the few areas near Vegas where there's enough room for people to do long-range (i.e. a mile +) practice. We'd wondered why there were rocks near the road in with paint on them but they were markers for the shooters. One morning we arrived just a couple minutes ahead of a couple shooters and they weren't too impressed that they had to find another location.

We didn't have any success contacting the local paragliding club but luckily this is a site that doesn't require membership, etc. It was definitely fun to be able to come here on our own and not worry about needing a retrieve vehicle. We'll no doubt be back!

View from Jean Ridge mid-launch.

Andrew at the top of Jean Ridge, waiting for a good wind cycle before launching.

Me, just after launch. Screenshot of video taken by Andrew. 

Andrew coming in for landing.

Patrick, a pilot from Utah (left) and Andrew (right).

Me, just after launching. Photo from video taken by Patrick.

Another Side of Springs Preserve

About three Red Rock climbing trips ago, Andrew and I discovered Springs Preserve and have gone there on a rest day each time since. While Andrew focuses his blog posts on photos of birds and flowers, I thought I'd post another view because there's just so much to do. Interesting, informative, mostly quiet and environmental. Other than a bit of traffic noise at certain locations, you'd never know you were right in the middle of Las Vegas.

In addition to about 4 miles of trails, there is a botanical garden and butterfly garden. I love wandering or just sitting and listening to the birds in the garden while Andrew takes photos.

The gardens are far more informative than most. In addition to information about the plants themselves, there is a large focus on desert gardening, water conservation and much more. Uniquely, there is a demonstration "enabling garden" that "demonstrates ways to make gardening accessible and enjoyable for everyone regardless of age or physical ability."







Not just wall gardens, raised beds, and enabling tools that make things more reachable but also thinking about looking, listening to and touching the garden for those who are visually impaired.

There is also a butterfly garden but it's not open during the winter.

Inside several buildings there is a sustainability centre, the Ori-gen Museum and the Nevada State Museum. Admittedly, we've never been in the State Museum. By the time we get through everything else that interests us, we've had enough for one day. The Waterworks Museum will hopefully be opening sometime later this year. The changing displays at the Ori-gen Museum are always fun. The display on now is the history of chocolate. I don't know how they did it, but the whole place smelled like chocolate even though there was no real chocolate on display.

There is a large children's play area with some unique features such as a wooly mammoth skeleton, giant bee, snake and falcon structures,  a sandbox and train. And there are always events, crafts and classes designed for kids. Cooking and gardening classes are geared towards adults. There is also a farmer's market every Thursday.

Kitchen, dining, living room area.

My other favourite part of the Preserve is the DesertSol demonstration house. It's a solar powered home that also uses a multi-purpose water system, strategic window placements and sun screens on the deck as well as sustainable materials and durable materials that will hold up in the strong desert sun. It was created and built by the University of Las Vegas Solar Decathlon Team and "is described as one of the finest examples of sustainable living on the planet." I would love to have a house like this!

The deck and sun screens.

View from the bedroom.

Springs Preserve

We spent the majority of our rest day at Springs Preserve. An amazing place in any location but especially so near to the strip in Vegas. I would HIGHLY recommend a visit, especially for people with kids. There was so much to do and such a variety of things to see.

We started with the Wings Over the Springs show which featured live interaction with hawk eagles, owls, ravens, barbary and falcons. Very beautiful birds!

There are lots of trails and a beautiful gardens area -- despite the heat (+38c today!), we spent quite a bit of time outside, although not as much as we would have if it hadn't been so hot. We went through the Origen Museum, the Nevada State Museum, and the Desert Living Gallery. We also went through the Sustainability Gallery which was super interesting but, knowing Andrew, is causing me a bit of worry. I'm afraid we're going to have composting toilets in the house soon!

For kids there's a very funky playground, activities, tours and programs such as kids summer camps. Throughout there were various "make-a-craft" areas or other interesting and interactive displays for kids. Also on the funky side was the junk art that was placed throughout the gardens and other outdoor areas.

Even the restaurant was a far cry from the crappy food usually found at places like this. The Springs Cafe is run by the Culinary Academy of Las Vegas.  The vegan burger, fries and quinoa salad we had were very tasty! There are also rooms for conferences and areas for weddings both indoors and out.

Ok, I know I'm almost on the point (or past) of raving about this place but really, it was great! If you're in Vegas . . . go there! Even if it's only for a break from the casinos and resorts. . . or the climbing!

 
Click to view photos

Here's some really great photos taken by Andrew.