Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Black Canyon and Jabbawockeez

“Random acts of tourism” is a phrase that I have become rather notorious for in my travels. Being in Las Vegas, there is so much to see and do that it can become a sensory experience that feels crowded, overwhelming and frantic. There are choices to be made over shows, dining experiences and those street entertainers trying to earn a living. Having said all that, Las Vegas feels very subdued, well at least as subdued as Vegas ever gets. The night before, we wandered the streets with ease and without hassle. This was unusual. Perhaps this is Las Vegas at its best.

But this is me you are travelling with. While I can see all the bright lights and shopping, gambling and dining, and the show advertising beckoning, there is a larger pull. A draw that is irresistible enough to get me out of bed at 4:30 am. (And I am soooo not a morning person!) Blearily eyed, we stumbled to the elevator and crossed to the door to wait for our 5 star driver to arrive. Thankfully, he was late enough that the Starbucks had opened and we were able to get coffee for the drive. What was the draw? Oh yes, the 5 star helicopter tour to the Grand Canyon.

The tour was phenomenal. Captain Mike flew us over Boulder City to the Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, Fortification Hill and then swooped down into the Western Rim of the Canyon. It was amazing. The rugged cliffs and the Colorado River. The captain also kept up a steady flow of information. I was fortunate or unfortunate enough to have the middle front seat in the ‘copter. I was able to see absolutely everything, but I had to sit diagonally with my body so as to not impede the pilot. Women have hips, it would be wise to acknowledge that or take out that seat. Trying to describe the canyon will not do it justice and really, it is foolish to try and describe beauty that has to be experienced.

We landed at the top to visit the Gift Shop and snack bar. Shivering, we took pictures and huddled indoors to get warm as the wind was furiously nipping at our core. It is 8:00 am. Then, we flew back to the base and got dropped off at the Hacienda Hotel.

 Our tour at this time was taken over by Black Canyon River Adventures. Oh yes, we might be cold but we were not done! We drove out and visited the Gold Mines at El Dorado. This might be a new favorite stop as I was fascinated by the people that lived there and the site itself. Alarmingly, we were warned of rattle snakes, tarantulas and cactus plants that like to attach themselves to you. All this before we had to board the bus and get off to walk down a path to the Lake. Wow. The cliffs rose above our heads and the sun was brilliant off the water. We boarded the raft and got handed our lunches. It is a good thing that we ate right away as the wind picked up water and soaked us down. So much so that we had a beach stop and pulled on rain ponchos for the sole purpose of staying dry. The spray was clear and cold. But, this was so worth it. The black canyon was glorious with the lava rock formations, green waters and white sand beaches. We floated all the way to Willow Beach, Arizona.

(For those that are wondering, I have no idea why I travel to one state and wind up visiting another while there. It does seem to be a random act of tourism habit.)

Boarding the bus, we headed for home. Until our driver suggested that we could go shopping. That led to the Premium Outlets South where I shopped gleefully and purposefully. Christmas shopping is almost done! I just don’t know how it is all getting home again. It will take a bit of strategy on my part…since of course I over packed to get here…another bad habit~!

Three hours later and with enough stuff to fill another suitcase, we cabbed back to the hotel. Got changed and headed back to the strip. We found Tickets 4 Tonite and bought show tickets for Jabbawockeez. This show is wonderfully funny and entertaining, knowing that you are seeing Hip Hop dancers at their best. The humor and messaging through-out the performance makes it worth seeing. In addition, I have taken notes and have a lot more learning to do myself… We had dinner at the café before that. The food was amazing but the staff…and the service at the Monte Carlo as a whole…between the box office and the wait staff we were nearly late for our show. Just a heads up, get your tickets from the Concierge well ahead (hours!!) and eat somewhere  that respects the show times and can be honest as to whether or not you have enough time to eat. We asked and were assured that there was no problem until….there was a problem. My friend never finished her food as a result. Crazy.

Afterwards, we gambled and wandered the strip home. 1:30 am is bed time….lol. And now, for something different…sleeping until 8:00~

Arizona on Dwellable