Mt Charleston-Kyle Canyon

Last weekend, we picked Nick up after a birthday party sleepover at a friend's house. They live in Centennial which is only a couple exits from Mt Charleston, we thought it would be nice to escape the heat for a bit, enjoy nature, crisp air and whatever else unfolded. I think it's been about two years since I've been to Mt Charleston. Our last visit was definitely before the improvements. Pulling over for photo opportunities and walks to lookouts are now easier than ever with wide paved turnouts, designated parking and paved trails.





We took Nick before when he was much younger, but he doesn't recall it. He's at the age, where he has little interest in things not involving video games, you tube, pokemon or music. So, it was refreshing to see him enjoy time outside and he seemed to genuinely have interest in the desert once being covered by ocean, the test site and various mountain ranges. We made our best guesses at how low the temperature would go as we climbed elevation - it was about 30 degrees cooler than Vegas. It was fun to see who ended up closest - Nick, I believe.





Oddly enough, not once the whole summer did I hear that Lee Canyon offers all sorts fun all summer long over the weekends. The chair lifts are open for scenic rides, there is a disc golf course, and Bristle Cone Bar & Grill. You can play corn hole, tether ball, horseshoes, etc. There is also a skate ramp that the kids had a ball running on. The season ends Sept 5. Had we known of it sooner, Frank would definitely like to play a round of disc golf, and I'd like to enjoy some beers on the patio. At least, we were able to take a ride on the chair lift ($12 adults, 12 & under, $6). Every other seat has seat belt, it takes you up to 9,300 ft. You can hop off to soak in the view, hike or walk down, but you can also stay put for a leisurely ride.











We hopped off, it was beautiful from the top, but also very steep if you tried to go higher. Many were successful, but not I, I'm afraid. My ankle isn't quite there. I made it a little ways up to check out the snow machines, which was a feat that would've been impossible a year ago, so I was pleased (and a bit sore the next day). Apparently, girls get wild up on the mountain, the trees were littered with bras and mardi gras beads. Nick was puzzled, and I'm not quite sure how it started, but it didn't keep us from keeping count and trying to spot as many as we could. The ride up, we had no seat belt. It was a bit sketchy, especially when we neared the top and they stopped the lift for those who need more time to exit. I thought it was wonderfully scenic, but my palms were sweaty. I'm never afraid of heights, but when I'm responsible for my sister's kids - Man, I sweat bullets. Nick requested we ride down with a seat belt, I wasn't about to argue. I admit, I was far less nervous on the way down. We needed to get back, and the resort area would be closing soon so we headed for home, but it was a great time. When I woke Sunday morning, I never guessed I'd be at 9,300 ft later that day, but that's just what the day had in store. I love making memories like these.

Thirteen Years in Sin City

As part of "Reading Week" at a local elementary school. I volunteered to read to a second grade class yesterday. They were very cute and inquisitive. After reading The Stinky Cheese Man and other Fairly Stupid Tales the floor was opened to questions. Most were personal in nature. They were curious about my age, my job, where I worked and how long. They were most impressed that I was not afraid of heights, followed by the length of time at my job - 13 years. "WHOA!" The kids all shouted in unison. Perspective can be a funny thing. I've been at my job for more than a lifetime in their eyes. As for me, it's gone by in a blink of an eye.

The past thirteen years have been a wild ride.

In 2003, THEhotel at Mandalay Bay just opened. Now, it's been rebranded as The Delano. One of the first projects I worked on was Le Reve, which was later renamed the Wynn. I was thrilled that I'd have a hand - however, small - in shaping the future of the strip. Over the years, I watched as the Palazzo, Encore, CityCenter, and Cosmo went from drawings on paper to casting shadows on Las Vegas Blvd. I've seen the Aladdin become Planet Hollywood, Barbary Coast change to Bill's Gambin' Hall and eventually into Cromwell, and the Imperial Palace morph into the Linq. I've seen the dreams of Fontainebleau and Echelon shatter. I've said good-bye to the Frontier, Stardust, Sahara, Riveria, Boardwalk, and Westward Ho. I've most recently worked on Lucky Dragon and the T Mobile Arena. I eagerly await Resorts World and Alon.

Meanwhile, I married. Twenty-something quickly became thirty-something. Bought (and lost on) real estate. I led the way for my mom, brother and sister to also move to Las Vegas. And now, possibly my dad. Frank and I have suffered great sorrow and profound joy. We know sickness and cherish health. Poorer. Richer. We've learned volumes and still know nothing at all. We've traveled to Europe, Central and South America and still have the world to discover. We have dreamed big and continue to dream bigger.

The rest? Is unwritten.

It's a Trailer Trash Christmas!

I'm likely on Santa's naughty list for my lack of updates. There's much to share, but I've had no time to share it. Here we are nearly mid-December. How did that happen?

In any case, let me tell you about the party we threw this weekend. We invited our friends over for a Trailer Trash Holiday Bash. We asked everyone to dress up and bring a gift for a dirty santa exchange. Reminding them you're not classy if you're not trashy.

They got-R-done!

I've never had more fun planning a party, costumes were great and all in attendance had a blast. Hilarity ensued all night long!









Pabst Blue Ribbon was theme throughout. I know y'all are envious of my glorious tree.



We had plenty of trashy eats and drinks!

Baloney and cheese skewers



Redneck sushi - dill pickles wrapped in cream cheese and deli meat



Sloppy jo's, pigs in a blanket, tater tots, variety of chips and cheese in a can. Dessert was white trash and christmas crack.



Our array of beverages included generic soda, boxed wine, boonsfarm, 40oz, apple moonshine and candy cane vodka. And a pool of beer.







Yes, that's me. Trixie-Lynn. Bubba is around somewhere...



Honey Boo Boo made the rounds and spread holiday "cheers"



Everyone else kept it classy! We were the envy of all trailer parks.



















Happy Holla-Daze!

Shadow Creek Golf Club

If you are surrounded by lush green grass, pine trees and waterfalls you might think you're in south or as far west as Colorado, but you can find just that, at an oasis right here in the Mojave. Shadow Creek Golf Course has more than 200 varieties of trees that cast shadows on emerald fairways and serene lagoons. It's hard to believe this wonderland was once barren desert. Just another amazing vision by Steven Wynn. Money was no object when Wynn hired Tom Fazio to create a course that would rival the best courses in country. Years later, MGM Resorts International inherited the course with the purchase of the Wynn empire.

This past Sunday, Frank and I, along with some friends were able to rub elbows with the rich and famous. We had VIP access for the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational. That meant all the food and drink we could handle and prime viewing on the 18th hole. We also took the time to walk the course and watch the different groups tee off and putt.

Although anyone can play the course for $500 a round and a mandatory stay at one of the MGM's properties, it is rarely frequented. Leaving the most pristine course imaginable. This was my first experience so I'm probably ruined for life, but Frank and his golf buddies were utterly impressed and they've golfed the finest courses Las Vegas offers.

Each hole is unique and no hole can be seen from another. Hills are endless and they allow you to discover treasures around every bend. There are lakes, streams and lagoons. And a slew of critters, the pheasants were such a surprise.

Oh, and there were plenty of celebrities. I knew the names of many, but only recognized the faces of Michael Jordan, Aaron Rodgers, Ashton Kutcher and Alan Thicke.









I'm told this was the home built for Steve Wynn's assistant.



And this was the one for the Wynn family.



Want more? Here's the link to the complete album.

"All you need is a dollar and a dream"

$540 Million. How would it change your life?

The cash option of $389 million is nothing to sneeze at.

Last weekend, we bought tickets for Tuesday's drawing while we were in Phoenix. I think we won a couple bucks. I hope the big pay off comes tonight. I asked my mom to go to Shoshone to buy tickets. It's not far from her, and the waits for the lottery outside Primm are three hours long or more. As long as she doesn't run off with the winnings we'll be good.

I think everyone has been thinking of what they'd do with the Mega Millions winnings. There is no doubt we'd take the lump sum and ultimately live off the interest. We'd set up the family and donate to local charities. I'd love to create our own non-profits. We want to help people with ideas and needs, and connect them with the resources to make those things happen. I'd like to open a restaurant. And I'm sure Frank would see to it that White Castle makes its way west. Even if it meant buying the empire. We'd have a few homes, but at least one would be entirely off the grid. We would travel the world. "Hmmm, I have the taste for crepes. Let's go to Paris!" "I want Chinese. Let's go to Hong Kong!"

I think the first thing I would want to do is go to the airport with passport in hand and ask for the next flight out of the US to some place tropical. Then, I'd call work to say "I quit." While I was relaxing on powdery white beaches I'd work with Frank to come up with the next step.

Wetlands Park

Did you know Las Vegas has Wetlands? That's right we do. Wetlands in the desert, it's pretty remarkable. This gem will make you feel like your hundreds of miles away when you're actually minutes from the strip. When Tropicana ends on the eastside you'll find the Wetlands Park. A good sum has been spent out there as of late. There is a visitors center that is due to open next month. Several trails and a play area for kids. It's a nice little refuge in our backyard.













Sad. Reason #177 not to litter.