This is Alpha, the first-born, when he was 2YO.
This is Beta, the second-born, when he was about 2YO.
This is Gamma, the third-born, when he was about 18MO.
Vegas Recap, Part 2
May
7
2013
Day 3
Valley of Fire
It sounds rather impressive – like it needs an announcer voice and some dramatic music after it is announced.
The kids liked it – plenty of areas for climbing.
And the view from the top of that rock was pretty good, too
And that was just at the visitor center, before we drove to any of the impressive formations.
We picked one area to hike, and then we would see how the children were doing before deciding about another area.
They were fine for the first bit:
We hiked through a canyon thingy with a sandy floor – red sand that got into your socks and shoes.
It was very hot and dry there, so everyone was tired and sweaty by the time we finished that 1-mile hike.
Actually, they were tired and sweaty before we finished the hike.
Yet another way of putting it: the kids were done before the trail was.
So we viewed the next area of the Valley of Fire by vehicle:
We stopped at one scenic overlook. My brother and I got out and took pictures, but our wives and children stayed in the comfort of the vehicles:
And then we drove through some more rock formations before going home:
Then there was evening and morning, the next day.
Day 4
Free Time
Went to the library.
Played games at the house.
Ate food.
Relaxed.
Day 5
Easter
Easter Sunday.
Church.
Dinner.
Plastic eggs.
Relaxed.
Day 6
Hoover Dam
We awoke at a decent time, got ready, and headed out the door for the Hoover Dam. We got there just around 9:30, and although it took a few minutes to find a parking spot, the traffic wasn’t too bad.
We got inside after a little bit of a hassle (note: they do not let you bring food inside and yes, they do screen you for that and other things) and got in the 10:00 powerplant tour.
We saw they had two different types of tours, but since children under age 8 are not allowed on the longer tour, we didn’t have much of a choice. We got in an elevator and went down to the power plants.
We finished the tour and then look at the museum-type displays about the history and such. Then we went outside. The older two liked looking over the railing. We didn’t give the younger two much of a chance to look over the side.
What’s almost more impressive than the dam itself is the new bridge that bypasses it. It appears very tall from the top of the dam – I can imagine it is that much more impressive looking down from that bridge to the river.
One thing I’m still wondering about is the purpose of the statues at the side of the bridge. I was interested in them only because I have read the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, in which the statues make a cameo.
We got back to the house and joined the relatives again, in time for dinner if I remember correctly.
Stay tuned for the final installment, next week.
You, O king, were looking and behold, there was a single great statue; that statue, which was large and of extraordinary splendor, was standing in front of you, and its appearance was awesome.
Daniel 2:31
This little article thingy was written by Some Guy sometime around 6:20 am and has been carefully placed in the Travel category.
May 9th, 2013 at 1:23 am
I thought that was Pizza Hut day.
May 9th, 2013 at 12:13 pm
Pizza Hut was lunch.