Friday, October 11, 2024

Semi-Random

It's a semi-random post today, because I've had another hectic week.
We visited Las Vegas the week before last, a quick and unexpected three-night trip
to visit friends of ours from various places.
So I'm sharing some photos from our trip ~ Probably more than I should.
 
Taxiing to Take Off
I love when I can catch the canopy of Jeppesen Terminal
reflected in the whale's tail of the Westin Hotel. 
Denver International Airport
Denver, Colorado, USA
September 30, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved


Back to ever-fascinating Cloud Land where golden aspen tinted the flanks of mountains.

White River National Forest
Near Gypsum, Colorado, USA
September 30, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved


I'm dreading when Southwest Airlines goes back to assigned seats.
I love snagging a window seat on the correct side of the plane
to see my favorite geological feature, the amazing Waterpocket fold
on the east side of Capitol Reef National Park and its adjacent Strike Valley.
If you're interested in the geology click here.

Waterpocket Fold
Capitol Reef National Park
South-central Utah, USA
September 30, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved

Watching the action at Harry Reid International Airport is always fun
for this airplane-junkie, as Terry and I wait our turn to exit from the back of the plane
where I found a good window seat for photography.

Southwest Terminal
Harry Reid International Airport
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
September 30, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved


It's always fun to see how Vegas hotels are decorated, although I have to say
that the Encore's lobby has one of the strangest lamps I've ever seen.

Checking in at the Encore
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
September 30, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved

Terry and I are budget travelers, so this gorgeous room in the Encore
was a rare luxury, and perhaps, the most beautiful room we've ever stayed in. 
I could get used to this ~ lol!

Our Room the Encore
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
September 30, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved





Terry Connects to the Internet
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved





Pure Luxury!
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved

The big hotels lining the Strip are filled with high-end stores,
because many people enjoy shopping when they visit Vegas.
I enjoy window shopping, although some items have me scratching my head. 
Like these shoes ~

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
September 30, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved

And these ~

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
September 30, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved



Butterflies are found throughout the Encore, like these inlaid beauties in the floor.

A Floor the Encore
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
September 30, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved

I could lie in bed and watch the ever-changing Sphere for hours.

The View from Our Room in Encore
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
September 30, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved

© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved

© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved


Connecting with friends and one well-traveled monkey, Jacques.

Catherine and Harvey, Two Good Buds from the East Coast
Andiamo Steakhouse at the D 
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
September 30, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved

We do the same things over and over, but it's always fun,
and I love the crowd-pleasing bands on Fremont Street.

Nick Burbey (lead guitar), Daniel Conway (drums) and Rich Embry (vocals)
Alter Ego
Fremont Street, Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
October 1, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved

I like to get right up by the stage where I can watch
the interaction among the band members and the roadies.
This lighting technician was playing the lightboard like an instrument.

Working the Lightboard
for Alter Ego
Fremont Street, Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
October 1, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved





DC, Daniel Conway, Takes a Bow at the End of the Show
Alter Ego
Fremont Street, Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
October 1, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved

I've watched all the resident Fremont Street bands many times,
so it's really fun when different band members substitute for each other.
Life happens to everyone, but the show must go on.

I was surprised and delighted when I found Jeff St. Germain of Stays in Vegas
substituting for Alter Ego's front man Rich Embry.
(I had just missed his band, another favorite, by one day.)

Rich and Jeff are two completely different singers, 
but both are talented and crowd-engaging show men.
It was fascinating to watch this consummate professional step in for Rich
and to see how the band members made set and song changes work almost seamlessly.

Rich Embry's Alter Ego Jeff St. Germain
Alter Ego
Fremont Street, Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
October 2, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved


And I saw one of my favorite regulars on Fremont Street ~
a street sweeper who makes his job fun and delights visitors.

Do You Think I'm Sexy ~ lol!
October 2, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved


Sometimes a flyer comes to a stop on the SlotZilla Zipline and has to be rescued. 

"What?  Me?" She Laughs
October 2, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved




To the Rescue
October 2, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved


Illyria Strakhov takes a break from balancing on top of many glasses,
as a member of the crowd demonstrates her acrobatic skills.

Wow!
October 2, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved


All too soon it's time to wave goodbye.

Leaving Las Vegas
October 3 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved

The rocks outside Vegas are phenomenal!
Just north of Lake Mead we fly by Hamblin Mountain,
the western lobe of an ancient stratovolcano that formed
during the Late Miocene, 11-15 million years ago. 
Later, faults split the Cleopatra-Hamblin stratovolcano into three large sections.

The Black Volcanic Rocks of Hamblin Mountain
and the Red Aztec Sandstones Formed from Jurassic Sand Dunes
Pinto Valley Wilderness, Nevada, USA
October 3, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved


Sometimes we fly into Denver International Airport on a more southerly route.
Then, if I'm lucky, I can spot our home and our favorite Parkway Bar and Grill.

Almost Home!
October 3, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved





Where Our Garbage Goes
Denver Arapahoe Disposal Site (DADS) Landfill
October 3, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved


For Rain:  Receding Hare Line ~ I immediately thought of Rain when I spotted this in a beautiful contemporary gallery in the Wynn.  Unfortunately, I forgot to write down the artist's name.

Receding Hare Line
Eden Gallery at the Wynn
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
September 30, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved




For Tom:  The Spirit of Aloha 
Sharing Dinner with Fun Friends 
Andiamo Steakhouse, The D
Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
October 1, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved



For Nicole:  Sacked Out Face ~ I visit Tembe Elephant Park in Egmangusi, South Africa, almost every day.  I am determined to visit it for real!
Lazy Lionesses
Emangusi, South Africa
September 24, 2024
© Barbara MacBeath. All Rights Reserved


Have a great weekend! 


 Till next time ~
 Fundy Blue
 
Standing Into Danger                                    https://selkiegrey4.blogspot.com
 Copyright ©2024 – All rights reserved.

My next post will be 
Friday, October 18th 🤞 

On the Bay of Fundy
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved



    

15 comments:

  1. I would lie and watch that ever changing globe for hours too. Thanks for taking us with you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You bet, Sue! I love being able to share some of the fun things I see and experience. Enjoy your weekend!

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  2. Wow! You really could see your house from there.
    Great view from your hotel.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We really enjoyed that view, Alex. I am constantly staring out a window if I snag a window seat on a plane. It is endlessly fascinating for me. Terry is a generous guy, because he has yielded window seats to me and settled in the middle seats throughout our lives together. Have a great weekend, my friend!

      Delete
  3. A whirlwind visit to Vegas -- what fun! Love your photo of the zip liner being rescued.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Debra! Something is always happening wherever you are in Vegas. Tha's what makes it so much fun. I hope you have a fun and relaxing weekend!

      Delete
  4. ...Las Vegas is too glitzy for this simple dude. I would be on sensory overload. Take care and be well, Louise.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. At least half the time I'm in Vegas, I'm on sensory overload, Tom. What I've loved about it over the last fifty years is that it completely grounds me in the present moment. The worries and the demands of my regular life fall away, and I'm unstressed, even relaxed. Wishing you and your Sweetie a serene and quiet weekend, my friend!

      Delete
  5. Spontaneous trips can be fun. Yours sure sounds like it was. You took some gorgeous pictures. I could never do the zip lining. I'm scared of heights.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Natalie! I did the Slotzilla Zipline and loved it! I was terrified waiting for the wall to open and my ride to start, and I discovered as I dropped down to fit under the canopy, that it was exhilarating and fun. I've been battling a fear of heights throughout gym life, and I've come a long way. Enjoy your weekend!

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  6. That Sphere is really amazing. Wow, not only did you have a great room for a switch, but I could sit there and watch the sphere for hours. I'm a budget traveled too, so your room looked amazing. What a fun trip. And I love those views from the plane. I always love looking out the window and love it when I can see the land below. Have a super weekend and Thanksgiving if you celebrate the Canadian one. hugs-Erika

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love that you love looking out the window of a plane, Erika! Our world is so beautiful. I know longer celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving, but the rest of my family does. I'm always trying to remember to send them Thanksgiving greetings. I am very much an American now. Have a great week!

      Delete
  7. I am exhausted just thinking about your trip. Loved the Encore room and that alone would be worth the excursion. Great pictures. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Annie! Sometimes I feel like a stone skipping on water, but I really love to travel and fly. I hope that next week is a great one for you!

      Delete
  8. Hotel had a great view indeed. Seeing the ball change would be neat as it scrolls through it's various forms. Sure one nice room too.

    Lol that would suck to get stuck on the zipline. Did you go on this time? Great how the band members substitute when need for one another.

    What? You didn't want shiny shoes and whatever that fluffy feather thingy is lol

    ReplyDelete

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