It's like Mars, I imagine

Saturday, Darren came out with us for a day filled with off-road fun. We started with the trails off Ute Rd north of Moapa Paiute Indian Reservation.



We had rode the Hawkins trail to its terminus at the Railroad tracks and on the way back, Darren spotted a bighorn sheep. I've known they are around but I've never seen one myself. We spooked the herd (two females and one male) they booked down the trail and up the mountain.





They flew up the mountain in 30 seconds flat. It was incredible.





They blend in so well, you can hardly spot them. It's no wonder I've never seen them before.



We rode through the bowl and covered all the ground in that area except for Matterhorn a popular spot for rock crawling. We need skid plates before we can take on those kind of obstacles. We loaded up the trailer and headed to the end of the road determined to find our way into the Logandale Trail System which runs along Valley of Fire.



Just past an abandoned quarry we were able to ride down to the western trail system, but first we had to cross one obstacle.



Darren and I hopped out to keep the load light and spotted Frank down the cliff. Then, we were off.



Soon, we entered a whole new world.







Yes! We hit dunes. I had no idea they were there. It was our first time playing in sand. It's lots of fun, but it eats up the gas very quickly.



We rode through and came upon a picnic and staging area, which we realized is the proper entrance to the Logandale Trail System. We had been out all day, water and gas was low so we headed back to the truck.



Going up the cliff, we snagged the hubcap on a protruding rock. It popped off and bent a bit. It was nothing that couldn't be fixed. It was funny, though, because on our way down, we found a polaris hubcap in the same spot. We picked it up, and Frank has since found its owner on the RZR forum.







We made it back, otherwise, without issue. We loaded up the trailer and headed for home. It was a fantastic day. The RZR is just loads of fun and I love exploring. It amazes me how much changes in a relatively short distance. Logandale and Lovell Canyon are less than 2 hours apart and they are completely different worlds. I simply love it.

Weezer & More

Frank had a head start to his weekend, he golfed in Primm with his buddy, Josh. Afterwards, he picked me up and we had dinner at Amore. Few things are better than getting a taste of Chicago without ever leaving home. Yummy eats and good conversation. Josh will be in San Diego the same time as us, La Jolla is his hometown so he's gonna show us around a bit. I'm looking forward to the eats and secret beaches. On a whim, I told Frank to stop at Lee's Liquor on our way home, they were giving out free shots of cazadores, and we actually found Baltika 9. It's a Russian beer we had in San Diego, last year, that we enjoyed, I've looked for it since. Perfect for International Beer Day.

We ended up with an extra ticket to Weezer, because Shane hurt his back and cancelled his plans for a visit. Our friend, Darren, originally turned us down... to stay at home. So, when we headed out for the concert, Frank called and told him he was going. Life would pass him by if he sat still. Dramatic, much? But it worked, we swung by, picked him up and we were off to Red Rock. It was a sold out show.

The venue was pretty crummy, the pool kept everyone from getting near the stage. Other pools and hot tubs are scattered about so the lay out was haphazard. The sound was muffled. Still not as bad as Hard Rock's pool, though. So that's something. They covered two songs, one was just bizarre and the other was "Pumped Up Kicks" by Foster the People. Every other song was one of their hits, but the crowd was pretty low energy. It gave me a really weird vibe, Frank didn't sense it as much. But I'd say 85% of people were there for a night out, rather than the band. They were busy taking self pics, texting, chatting. Granted we weren't first or third row like most of the shows we've seen in recent years, but at SOAD we were way back in the balcony and everyone still went nuts. Just odd. Either Weezer fans, in general, are pretty low key or the audience was just uninterested. It was cool that Rivers jumped into the pool toward the end of the show. The radio show this morning said what a great show it was. They've been there every Friday all summer, Weezer was the last of the summer concert series. Maybe it was just me?

We went to Yard House after the show. We enjoyed a couple Kronenbourgs to celebrate International Beer Day. Then, it was back home to rest up for our off-road extravaganza weekend.

44 Days? Sign me up.

You gotta check this out! Go ahead, watch it. It'll only take a minute.

MOVE from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

Are you in awe like I was? It's the first of three short films. Click Rick Mereki above for links to Learn and Eat. Move really struck me. I have such a strong desire to travel. I haven't longed for anything more since wanting Las Vegas to be home. This short film actually brought tears to my eyes. One day when I look back at my life, I can imagine a flashback similar to this, only with Frank by my side.

Dive In

You've heard of the Drive In, but how about the Dive In? Each Monday, the Cosmopolitan hosts a viewing party at the Boulevard Pool that features a movie on their strip sign. We're always up for something different so we decided to check it out this past Monday.

The movie was Ferris Bueller's Day Off. We got their early enough to secure a couple loungers in the pool that offered a great view of the screen. It was pretty neat! It was relaxing being completely surrounded by water, the glow of the strip was all around, you could see the hotel towers hovering above, you could hear bellagio fountains cracking, all while watching the film on Cosmo's jumbo strip sign. I'd definitely return to catch another flick.



After the movie, we stopped at the hidden pizza joint for a couple slices. Frank had white pizza and I had sausage with pepperoncini. We hadn't tried it, again, since actually visiting NYC. The verdict? They do have authentic slices. Better than many we tried. Only Bleeker St, Spumoni Gardens and Patzeria Perfect were better.

Playin' in the Rain

Sunday, I woke up and it was nearly pitch black. I glanced at the clock and 8:24 blinked before my foggy eyes. I thought maybe it was 5:24 so I gave it another look. Nope, I saw the time right. Where's the sun? Hiding behind thick storm clouds. Yuck.

We made plans with new found friends from New York to go off-roading around 2 o'clock and then grab dinner at Casa Don Juan afterwards. They're actually friends of a friend, and we've become friendly in the last few months by discussing their plans to relocate to Las Vegas next year. They're out this week scouting neighborhoods and house hunting. When I learned that they have toys of their own, I wanted to show them fun beyond the strip. They were game.

I was worried that the rains would foil our plans. I checked radar every 15 minutes. At first, it looked like it might clear up by 2, but then it was 3 and ultimately it was 4 o'clock before the clouds began to break. Fortunately, they were troopers and we took our chances with the rain once it began to taper off. The drizzle was light so it wasn't uncomfortable. The only issue was the bugs. I've never seen swarms of bugs out in the desert before, but the cool air and rain must have brought them out. In droves. Without a windshield we served as the bug graveyard. It was really gross.

The rain was done by the time we made it to the cave trails. The clouds cleared and the sun finally peaked through about 5:30. We were able to enjoy the rest of the ride and take in the beautiful sights.











30 minutes after that last photo was taken - It's Red Rock but the red is hidden in the shadows - we were downtown at Casa Don Juan noshing chips, salsa and fresh guacamole. Yeah, Las Vegas is pretty great. I think our new friends are more eager than ever to make the move.

Useless Trivia

Here's one to stump your friends. On second thought, they probably won't much care. Unless they are Vegas geeks like me or in need of a charge.

Do you know where the first public hybrid/electric car charging station is?



There it is. That's it. Not that it provides any hints.

You'll find this first station, that was dedicated July 7, 2011, at Mandalay Place.

Yeah, I'd never guess there either if I hadn't seen it myself. But there you go, particularly notable for any Nissan Leaf owners.

Dinner and a Show

After a full day of cleaning and running errands Frank and I were off to Mandalay Bay. First, we stopped at Ri Ra the Irish bar at Mandalay Place. I wanted to check out their draft selection. There was one that piqued my interest, Delirium Tremens. A Belgium pale ale. We both had one, I loved the pink elephants on the glasses and tapper. The irony was fun, it was good strong beer to boot 8.5% abv. Frank also had a Weihenstephan, I had it before in Chicago and didn't care for it, but it was right up his alley. No Irish beers for us, but we found another Irish bar that was a winner.

We left to make our dinner reservations at Border Grill. Their chips were excellent two of the four salsas were good, we requested hot and we like the tomatillo. Our $49 meal deal from travelzoo came with house margaritas that weren't very good. We had an appetizer platter (chosen for us) to start. That had taquitos, empanadas, and sweet corn tamale. The taquitos were the best, we only wished we had known they were coming because Frank ordered the entree so he was stuck with more of the same. I had beer battered fish tacos which were tasty. I liked that they lacked the creamy slaw that so many places like to add. For dessert, we shared Tres Leche cake. It was drier than those I've had before, but still good. Service was attentive, the meal was ok. I'm glad we got it at a discount, but I see no reason to return.

It worked out perfectly before the concert, though. We were able to walk out from the patio, hit the bathroom, and we were right at the line to enter the pool. We were among the first inside, we grabbed a spot in the shallow end of the wave pool so we were front row. The water was bit more than ankle deep.

Us, waiting for the show to start.



I had no clue who was headlining Dirty Heads or The Wailers. With the ties to Bob Marley, I thought it might be the latter, but I was wrong. The Wailers went first. They were good, but straight up reggae gets old fast. I much prefer dub and reggae rock. It was hotter than hades and humid as can be. I went to get water, they were price gauging $8 for a liter of Fiji. $16 later we were refreshed and rehydrated. Dirty Heads took the stage and the place came alive. It was the largest crowd we've seen yet at a DH show. Good to see. They played three new songs, two we heard at the San Diego show a couple weeks back.

Before they went on, we were talking to this guy (Eric) who saw them in SD and the night before in Catalina (I tried to win tickets to the show, he actually did). He was chosen to go on stage and perform the Buenos Noches rap. They've never done it at the shows I've been to, but my brother told me they did it at the one in Chicago. Anyway, we thought that was cool. Then, last night we learn that the guy is a friend of Frank's friend in California that went to school with the DH's in Huntington Beach. Small world. Frank found video of Eric rapping at the Catalina show.



Awesome show, but liked the one in SD better. So I'm glad we caught it. Weather mainly affected that. I hope they come back soon, and don't wait another year to return.

Google Earth Porn

It's right up with with food porn and real estate porn. Unfamiliar with Google Earth porn? It when you travel the world with a click of the mouse. You stalk out locations using GPS coordinates. You paint pictures of places you've never been. It's really quite fascinating.

Frank's been seeking out OHV trails and he came across one in Valley of Fire that looks amazing. The flyovers made you feel like you were there. I can't wait to get out to the trails and experience it first hand.

We just made plans for a trip to Brian Head, UT. A co-worker is kind enough to let us use his condo there. Since Frank had Google Earth up and running, I had him take a look at the condo and surrounding areas. Cedar Breaks National Monument looks like a must see.

I'm not sure how, exactly, but from Brain Head we went on to Hawaii. Then, Xpu-ha and down to Tulum and over to Sicily (even stopped to search for any of Frank's family in Gaeta on Facebook, came up empty) then up to the Almalfi Coast, Venice and Rome. Next, we went over to Croatia and Russia since that rounds out where Frank's family is from. I teased that you have to go way up here (imagine me pointing to the top of the monitor) to get to where I come from, up here, where it's cool and the sun rarely shines. Hence, my fair untannable skin... Sweden, Scotland, Ireland and Germany.

Technology sure has come a long way. I can remember sitting in my grandpa's office twirling a globe round and round, realizing that the world was a much bigger place than I ever knew, but I was never able to visualize it like I am able to do today. Kids today probably sit with an iPad and travel the globe by touch. How wild is that?

Our DINK Life

I can't recall the first time I heard the phrase "DINK", it must have been six or seven years ago. However long ago doesn't matter as much as identifying with it immediately. Frank and I enjoy our Dual Income No Kids lifestyle quite a bit and we see no reason to mess with it. We have had 14 amazing years together and we love being us. We don't have kids. We have toys and take vacations. I don't think our lives are any less fulfilled because of it. We all have the right to choose our priorities and having a family is just not one of ours. Much to the dismay of our friends and family.

They mean well. They do, but I must admit I cringe a little everytime I hear that dreaded question “So, when are you two going to have a baby?” As I get deeper into my 30's I hear it more and more. I can't help but give it thought, that window of opportunity is getting shorter, afterall. I love kids, I have no doubt Frank and I would be amazing parents, but this does not mean I want to be a mother. Everytime, Frank and I re-evalute our plans for the future. We are firm that we want to continue our DINK life. We never made a list stating reasons why, there was never a need. Then, yesterday I came across this list of The 11 Best Things about Being a DINK and it totally rang true. So true, in fact, I could have written it myself.

Who knows in a few years, I may feel differently? Maybe I won't. In the meantime, we'll be us and you might remember? I love us.

Ebb and Flow

Time has actually slowed this week. Monday and Tuesday dragged. It feels like we should be a lot closer to Friday than we are. I suppose I'm just excited for the weekend.

We'll be dining at Border Grill for the first time. I've always been curious, but especially so after watching Top Chef. Travelzoo's $49 dinner for two sealed it. We'll grab dinner there before the Dirty Heads concert at Mandalay Bay Beach.

We've been trying not too spend money this week, since July was a such a costly month. My car needed a new water pump for its 5th birthday. Registration was due, and let's not forget that car payment. We prepaid our hotel stays for San Diego and Anaheim. Bills are at their peak this time of year with high power, water and gas bills. We also bought the RZR. If I were to drop a coin in the piggy bank all I'd hear is an echo.

We need to spend on RZR accessories and Restaurant Week is coming. Tightening of the purse strings is in order, the timing just sucks. Football is right around the corner. Soon, Frank will go back to Mon/Tues off and we'll no longer have a shared day off. Time off is tricky during football season and we've already chosen our days. That's the time it's easier to save our pennies. Not now, I just want to enjoy what little is left of summer.

Don't get me wrong, I'm forever grateful for all that we are able to do. I know how fortunate we are. We work hard to play hard, it's all ebb and flow.

Closer to home

Sunday, we stayed closer to home for our off-road adventures. Without the extras we need, we wanted to stick to trails that we know. Especially, since it was pretty hot outside. You don't see many passerby's in the heat of summer. Only nuts like us (and two others on dirt bikes). Most people head for the hills, mountains really, where temperatures are significantly cooler. Like Lovell Canyon and Indian Springs, locally.

We started out near the southern most foothills in the valley, these trails open up and run along the train tracks and powerlines, they take you out past Sloan and along I-15.











Monsoons chased us home, while there we went for swim to cool down, and when the storms cleared a bit we hit the trails around the Spring Mountains. These trails offer stunning views of the valley and Red Rock. They are among my favorite and the best part? They are just a couple blocks from home.

Wow!

Saturday, we hit the trails at Lovell Canyon. My mom joined us for our maiden voyage. She met us at the Lovell Canyon turn off, it worked out well since it's about the half way point between us.

We set off for the trails about 1 o'clock. It was the hottest part of the day, but I was prepared for being in full sun. I wore long sleeves and jeans to protect as much as my skin as possible. I lathered my exposed skin in 70spf sunblock amd I reapplied a couple times throughout the day. The dirt stuck to me like a magnet, which was gross, but I'm happy to report I did not burn - Way to go Coppertone Sport! We rode the trails for over 3 hours and racked up about 80 miles.

I could not believe how well the RZR handled the trails. I was in awe. I had suspected it would be a fun ride, but nothing could prepare me for how much fun it truly was. I had a grin from ear to ear, until we picked up speed (we got it up to 60 mph). Then, I kept my mouth tightly closed to keep from swallowing any bugs. It got quite buggy in Trout Canyon. The ride was fantastic and the views were spectacular. Our money was well spent and this was just the first of MANY more adventures to come.

Let the adventures begin

"It's like the Firebird and Jimmy had a baby." This is what I told Frank when he parked the RZR 4 in the garage. It's so shiny and new, all I want to do is go out and get it dirty.

The sun was already setting when we got it home from the dealer. Frank was tempted to take it out, but I told him to wait since darkness was coming soon. Sure, there are headlights, but it wasn't insured so I'd rather not take any chances.

Today, I got the insurance all set. So, we're ready to ride... the easy trails. We need a few accessories before we really put it to the test. We need a roof, this fair skinned redhead needs all the protection from the sun I can get. We need to install skid plates. We also need helmets. Frank ordered his, it's due in soon. I haven't found one yet. There's a motorcycle helmet I like, and it's a great fit, but I'm concerned about that the visor isn't enough protection from dirt and dust. I think a dirt helmet is the smarter way to go, but I need to find one that fits. I found a couple stores, Sam's Cycle Supply and Cycle Gear, both are known to have a good selection so I'll be checking those out.

All day long I've had that "Bang on the Drum" song stuck in my head.

I don't want to work.
I just want to play in the desert all day.

Seeking Yummy Chinese

We are on a quest to find a Chinese restaurant that's tasty enough to be a regular haunt. Have a favorite? Let's have it.

In Chinatown, we've been to Joyful House, Cathay House, Emperor's Garden, a couple others no longer in business, and Ping Pang Pong, nearby. None have fit the bill. Reviews for Harbor Palace have never been great so it really wasn't on my radar. We only stopped in because I've driven by it hundreds of times and curiousity had finally gotten the better of me.



We had eggrolls, sweet & sour chicken, eggplant in garlic sauce and then oranges with fortune cookies followed for dessert.









The eggplant was really good, the veggies were fresh and crisp and the sauce had a bit of kick. The rest of the meal was fine, but far less memorable. Service was lackadaisical, but I suspect the language barrier might have something to do with it. Needless to say, our search continues...