April 2016, Las Vegas, Speedway & Family Events

April 1st, 2016

Yesterday, the ranger knocked on our door at 9:15am and asked us if we were getting ready to leave.  We told him, no, as we had paid for another night when we arrived yesterday. That was ok, but we thought it was a little early to be checking on us, as you don't have to leave until noon on the day of departure.

This morning, we were up earlier than normal and about to bring the slides in so we could head out, when the ranger appeared again to check we were leaving.  Again it was just after 9am!!!  Anyway, we told him we would be leaving soon and he was fine.

We left River Island State Park shortly after, and headed to Desert Eagle RV Park in Las Vegas.

Crossing the Nevada border from Arizona

Not long after crossing the border, we stopped for lunch at a rest stop just before Searchlight.

Eventually we saw the Las Vegas Strip in the distance.

We arrived at the campground which is a military campground on the base.  We got a nice site that had some shade and got set up before relaxing for the night.

Fortunately, we didn't encounter any April Fools!!!

April 2nd - 12th, 2016

We spent our time in Vegas catching up with our health check ups, getting haircuts, visiting friends and old work places. Bryan also took Tilly, our Malibu, in for a check up.  She was good!!!

LeeAnn, our eldest granddaughter, competed in Special Olympics again. She got Silver for 50m Dash and Bronze for Shot Put, which she hadn't entered before.

Well Done LeeAnn, we are very proud of all you have achieved.

April 6th was the 24th anniversary of my Dad's death.  Still seems like yesterday, strange how some memories never fade.  Fortunately, I have more happy than sad memories. 

Here's a picture of Dad with Ian & Jimbo the night before our wedding in Scotland in 1991.  

Bryan went to the Speedway to watch the races.  Unfortunately, it got rained out and he only saw part of one race.  He did meet some of his old workmates there.  There have been a lot of changes but then it's been over 15 years since he worked there.  They told him they would find him a job if he wanted one!!!!  

Here's some pictures of Trystan.  He is growing so fast, hard to believe he will probably be walking the next time we see him.

Daddy reading to Trystan

Mommy & Trystan

We saw this sign at a Target store in Las Vegas.  Guess this must have become a bad area.  A special parking spot for police cars by the entrance!!!!

April 13th, 2016

Trystan is 7 months old today.  Time is just flying by!!!

 April 14th - 18th, 2016

We have to stay in Las Vegas a little longer so Bryan can have some tests done.  Last year it was my turn for tests, this year it's Bryan's turn.  One of the problems with getting older but best to get checked out thoroughly.

We got some nice family pictures.

Love the way Trystan is looking at them in this one.

Hmmm, excuse me

April 19th, 2016

Ryan's ship left on deployment.
                                                         

Just gone under Coronado Bridge

Bye San Diego

Sailing Out

It's a big ocean out there!!

Here's a news report/video of the departure.

April 20th - 22nd, 2016

Trystan sleeping with his daddy doll.  This has a message from daddy recorded in it that plays when you squeeze it.  How clever is that!!!

Aimee got straight A's and perfect attendance.  Well done again Aimee.

I bought a beautiful freesia plant.  Mum & I both loved freesia and the fragrance was wonderful.

April 23rd, 2016

Bryan went to the Speedway.

Speedway Safety and EMT's setting up before the racing began.

Midget Sprint Car heat race.

Some of the Local First Responders that showed for First Responders night at the speedway.

Super stock heat winner.

Bandelero Heat winner.

Thunder Car Roadster Heat race.

Sprint Car Main.

Full moon over Nellis AFB

Bomber Heat race.

This picture of Ryan was taken aboard the ship.  This ship seems to take a lot of pictures which is good as you can see that they are busy and are doing ok.

Ryan on board the ship

Look, the end of the rainbow is at Ryan's ship.  Love this picture.

Here is a VIDEO of Christina showing Trystan a book that Daddy had recorded for him.  It is adorable, he is grumpy and as soon as he hears daddies voice he is all smiles.  It brings a lump to your throat, and tears to your eyes.

April 26th, 2016

Today would have been my Dad's 90th birthday.  Happy Heavenly Birthday to you Dad.  Bet you're having a good party up there. We love and miss you.

Dad in his mid twenties

We went to Wetlands Park Nature Preserve today.  See the blog HERE.  It was a lovely day.

April 27th - 28th, 2016
Here's some more pictures of Trystan

Trystan got a new couch, especially for him.

Look at that mischievous face!!

Planes flying over the campground.

April 29th, 2016

We returned to the Wetlands Park Nature Preserve today to explore some more.  I have added this to the blog we did.  See the link above on the 26th.

April 30th, 2016

Today is Aimee's 9th birthday.  HaPpY HaPpY Birthday Aimee.

She had a haircut, looking good

Brenda made her this awesome cake

We were supposed to have been in San Francisco today.  We had booked a three day stay in the city and a trip to Alcatraz as an early celebration for our 25th Wedding Anniversary in September.  We would have been in a park close by but unfortunately we had to cancel it as we are still in Las Vegas. Not to worry, we will get there one day.

Well, that's it for another month.  Hopefully we will get back on the road next month.

Wetlands Park Nature Preserve, Las Vegas

April 26th, 2016

We went to the Wetlands Park Nature Preserve and walked some of their trails.  It is located on the East side of Las Vegas, off of Tropicana Avenue, behind Sam Boyd Stadium.

There is no entrance fee and parking is also free. We parked by the Nature Center.

Here is a Trail map that shows you the different trails and areas that are available to explore.  There are a lot of different options here.  We picked up a more current version at the Nature Center.

After a quick look I decided to start on the East side and we took the outer loop past Vern's Pond and over Beaver Bridge.

Beautiful plants and flowers

Beaver Bridge

We continued North towards the Las Vegas Wash.  The view towards the mountains was superb.

Las Vegas Wash stream

Here's a VIDEO where you can see and hear the strength of this stream.  I was surprised there was so much water in Las Vegas, a lot of this is reclaimed runoff water, although we had had some rain a couple of days prior to this.

I can watch water forever, it fascinates me.  I'm not sure why, as many of you know I have a fear of getting my face wet and can't stand being under water or getting splashed.  This has stopped me from learning to swim.  I feel as though I have missed out on a lot of fun because of this but it is what it is. I did ask Mum if she had tried to drown me at birth but she denied it, ha!! ha!!  I think a more reasonable explanation is that I was a witch in a prior life and I was dunked.  I do have some witch like tendencies at times. So, for me to love being around water is strange.  My ideal home would be with a view of the ocean and we are hoping some of our campsites this summer will give us that.

These coots were fishing as the water went over the ledge.

                           
                           
                           

There were informative signs on the pathways.  Most of the park is easily accessible for strollers, and wheelchairs.  Bikes are not allowed in this section but there are miles of trails where they are allowed.

 

 

   

   

The Stratosphere Tower in the distance

   

    

Weir Bridge (Big Bridge)

Can't you just hear the water going under the bridge.

                              

We walked westwards towards the inner paths across Cottonwood Crossing.

The sun shining through the trees.  It was a beautiful day.

     

       

This reminded us of an animal as it sat on the pathway. It was a piece of driftwood.

       

We then headed back south along an inner pathway which was bordered by a small stream, past the Middle Ponds.

       

       

       

       

We had a short rest at Cottonwood Grove.

         

Past the Fire Site where there is still evidence of a fire in March 2014.

         

          

Sue playing peek-a-boo!!

We spoke to a ranger who asked what we had seen and was telling us about the park.  She was very helpful and when I said I had been looking for turtles and frogs but hadn't seen any she told us to look at the Boardwalk Pond.  This was on the west side of the park that we had already discussed about coming back to visit.  She told us it was only about a 5 minute walk from the car park and so we thought we might go and take a look today.

We continued to walk back toward the Nature Center and car park through Gooding's Willow Grove.  Bryan finally managed to get a picture of a rabbit.  They had been alluding us all day.  This one was busy eating a reed.

                        

         

         

           

This bird nest was in a tree by the car park.

           

When we got back to the car park we decided to go home and come back to the Turtle Pond on another visit.

We really enjoyed this park in the middle of Las Vegas.  It was truly a nature escape.

 April 29th, 2016

We returned to the Nature Preserve and took the North West pathway on the left side of the restrooms by the parking lot.

               

We found the Boardwalk & Turtle Pond.  This black crow welcomed us, squawking loudly.

                 

 
                                     

Then we spotted this turtle who also came to say hello!!!  We saw several turtles here and stayed and watched them for a while.

                   

                   

There were koi fish here as well.  These have been placed here and are not natural for the area.

                    

                     

                     

                     

                     

We carried on walking north.  The mountains and the clouds were beautiful in the distance.

                     

                       

There was a stream by the pathway.

                        

                         

We went west on a smaller pathway to the West Upper Pond. The ducks were here.

                         

                           

Can you see the dragonfly on the stone?

                           

                           

We walked around the pond and headed south back to the Boardwalk Pond

                           

Not sure what this bird is with a thin beak.

                          

Which path shall we take.  The short route back or the slightly longer one.

                           

Our noisy crow was still hanging around.  He told us to take the slightly longer route which we did!!!

                          

                          

I liked the shadows on the mountain.

                           

                           

I took this picture of Bryan taking a picture.

                          

                          

This quail was running around under a tree,

                           

and these rabbits were playing close by.  They were cute as they would keep jumping over each other and running around.

                            

We finally got back to the car park.  These bushes were at the car park.

                            

We didn't walk so far today but still saw a lot of great things.  We still need to do the Northern part of the Nature Preserve.  We will save that for another time.  Of course, there are four other trailheads, a bike trail and a neighborhood park here as well.   Lots to see and all free!!!!