We haven’t been on any big, new trips recently, but we have a good solution for that: local exploration.
Here are some pictures I took from around town this last weekend. I hope you like them!
The Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve
The Henderson, NV Bird Viewing Preserve
The Henderson, NV Bird Viewing Preserve
The Henderson, NV Bird Viewing Preserve, with the Las Vegas Strip in the distant background.
The Henderson, NV Bird Viewing Preserve
For more information about the Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve, here is their website.
Lake Las Vegas
Lake Las Vegas
Mike at Lake Las Vegas
Mike, at Lake Las Vegas
Lake Las Vegas
Lake Las Vegas
Lake Las Vegas
Mike at Lake Las Vegas
Lake Las Vegas
Lake Las Vegas
Lake Las Vegas sure is beautiful, but the site has experienced a lot of problems over the years, which are ongoing. For more information about Lake Las Vegas, in Southern Nevada, you can check out TripAdvisor reviews. Additionally, here is their website.
I’m happy to answer any questions or comments you might have.
Living in constant sunshine, a dry desert climate, and blue skies most days of the year does something strange to my husband Mike, and me after a while. We actually start to seek out a few clouds with a bit of rain to wash away the arid dust of the desert, and even, at times, we wish for cold, snow-white weather.
Lately, we’ve been daydreaming of sitting around a crackling fireplace, sipping hot cocoa, while looking out the window at beautiful snow-capped mountains.
At our house, we have neither a fireplace, a tree over five feet, or even a cloud to be seen in the bright blue sky. Therefore, Mike and I decided it’s a fitting time to mix things up a bit and head up to Mount Charleston for the day.
The best hope of finding a little corner of blustery winter weather in Southern Nevada is to take a short drive towards the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area. In this area, sits the Mt. Charleston Peak, which is 11,916 feet (or 3,632 m) high. Mt. Charleston is only about 30 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip.
Mike and I were not disappointed with our trip up to the mountain. It was so nice to breathe in the chilly, fresh pine air, to see tall green trees soar up into the sky, and to witness just a little snow on the ground. Although the sun was shinning as bright as ever, and most of the scenery had very little snow cover, it was still refreshing to get up into the mountains and trees for different “feel” for the day.
We sat down in the old lodge near a fireplace, with floor to ceiling views looking out towards the mountains. I ordered a very tasty “Nutty Irishman” cocktail (pictured). The Mt. Charleston Lodge makes several specialty drinks. They all looked so yummy!
Mike and I were pleasantly surprised by the food as well. Mike ordered the turkey melt on rye bread and I had the vegetarian pizza on flat bread. Both meals were delicious and flavorful, albeit a tad expensive (my Nutty Irishman drink was $9.00 for example).
Perhaps next time we visit the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area and Mt. Charleston Peak, in the late spring or summer, we’ll go on a hike and/or take our travel trailer camping for a weekend stay at Hilltop Campground. We hear that’s supposed to be a great place to stay. There are many trails and campsites to choose from.
Stay tuned for that review! ♥
To find out more about Mt. Charleston, here is a website with a lot of information for visitors to the area.
In the meantime, we headed back down the mountain, to the desert, to enjoy beautiful Joshua trees on our way home.
Tara, left, and Kristin, right, in Australia, 1999.
My wanderlust kicked into full gear fifteen years ago, when I was twenty years old. My friend’s family invited me on a month-long trip to Australia. It was the first time I ever flew on a plane and the first time I left North America.
To this day, Australia is one of my all-time favorite travel experiences. In my mind’s eye, I can still picture the dazzling beauty of the Great Ocean Road. I can almost taste the delicious Flake we ate, and I’ll never forget the kindness, friendliness, and hospitality of the Australians we spent time with. The tropical, laid back, beach-y, and yet urban vibe of big gorgeous sunny cities like Melbourne, and smaller areas of Warrnambool, solidified and further ignited my love of travel.
The Funny Little Memories That Stick Out
I remember how the Australians fondly called us “Yankees,” and teased us about our American accents. Before that visit, I did not realize that I spoke with an accent (that was other people, I naïvely assumed); another reason traveling is important. It made me think about myself in a new light.
I also recall being invited to a large Australian farm in the outback. A group of us was sitting on some hay in the back of a pickup truck as the farmer was taking us on a tour of his beautiful land. I was enjoying the tour very much, until I looked down and saw several disturbingly large brown furry spiders about the size of my hand crawling around in the hay we were sitting on. I couldn’t believe my eyes. My friend Tara and I started yelling that there were spiders, but the farmer just laughed it off. Looking back on it, even that experience was such a fond memory. When will I ever be on an Australian farm again? Probably never.
One more memory that sticks out in my mind is the time I was sitting in the back seat of the car and looking up to notice that my friend Bud was driving on the wrong side of the road in the middle of the crowded city of Melbourne.
I gently, almost in a singing tone informed him that, “Bud, you’re driving on the wrong side of the road.” He hastily moved the car to the proper lane. Then everyone in the car laughed crazily because I was so polite about the predicament. Luckily, there were no accidents, just a scare and lots of laughter.
Fun Times Forever Etched in My Mind
Those were just a few of the precious memories from a very extraordinary time in my life. I had such a blast in Australia. It was something special. It opened my eyes and my heart to a bright new world. I wanted to experience what else was out there. Australia was just the beginning.
What Else is Out There?
Wondering ‘what else, and who else is out there’ has been on my mind ever since the journey to Australia. I hope exciting and enriching journeys are in my future. The wanderlust that was ignited in me from that first international trip across the world is still alive and strong.
Someone once said that Las Vegas is like a theater show—it changes all the time. Downtown and the East Fremont District are prime examples of positive transformation occurring in the city. According to the locals who live in Las Vegas, the area is rapidly turning into one of the most enjoyable places to visit in the Las Vegas area; often times, it is even preferable to the world-famous Las Vegas Strip.
Downtown Las Vegas – It’s More than Just the Fremont Street Experience
The Santa Run in 2013, with the Fremont Street Experience in the background.
When you imagine Downtown Las Vegas, you might picture the Fremont Street Experience. As grand and impressive as the attraction is, there is so much more to do downtown.
Thanks to revitalization efforts over the past few years, Las Vegas’ downtown is showing clear signs of a vibrant and walkable-livable neighborhood community feel, but with a Vegas twist.
Imagine your favorite downtown neighborhood—with condominiums, restaurants, and a grocery store, and then add in neon lights and bold signs, casinos, and a fire-shooting praying mantis. It sounds weird, but it is actually a wonderful mix of diversity, creativity, community, excitement, and entertainment.
The food, drink, and entertainment options are terrific in Downtown Las Vegas. There are many talented local small business start-ups cropping up, from restaurants, to bars, to the tastiest donut shop. It is also easy to get around, whether by car, bus, bike, or foot.
East Fremont District, Downtown – Artistic, Hip, and Genuine
The East Fremont District is so much fun; it is a treasure trove of cute bars and eateries. Local business owners build their spaces with love, creativity, and care. The drinks—often inventive and unique concoctions that you would not find anywhere else—are fun and delicious. The prices downtown are reasonable too (and not disturbingly inflated, as they usually are in the mega casinos on the Strip).
Downtown Is the Place to Be
In Downtown Las Vegas, you will find authenticity and quality. You will find locals hanging out after work. You will find diversity. You will find creativity, passion, and enthusiasm. It is the true, bona fide center of the Las Vegas population. Therefore, if you want to experience the city as a real place—besides just a grand playground for the millions of tourists around the globe—then head downtown.
If Downtown and East Fremont sounds like places you would like to visit, below are a list of examples of good local businesses worth checking out.
Local Businesses worth Checking Out in Downtown Las Vegas
Atomic Liquors – This is the oldest freestanding bar in Vegas. They used to watch the atomic bombs explode from the rooftops here. They have impressive drinks. They know their stuff. Try the Strawberry Fields and the sour beers.
Park on Fremont – The best ambiance is out back, where the patio is enchanting and delightful. They have gone to great lengths to decorate the space with lights, plants, trees, paintings, and an outdoor fireplace, to name a few features of the locale.
The Griffin – Such a cozy atmosphere with fireplaces and a cave like atmosphere. Try a Black Russian cocktail.
Pizza Rock – Pizza Rock makes excellent, award-winning pizza. You can choose to sit at the bar for a comfortable setting near the wood burning pizza oven.
O Face Doughnuts – The most delicious doughnut in the world is the Rosemary curd at O Face. The coffees are smooth and delicious.
Container Park – This is a unique Park where small businesses run their operations out of containers. In the middle of the park, there is a playground for kids and a stage where live music entertains the patrons.
MTO Café – This diner serves quality food, refreshing vegetable juice drinks, exceptional customer service, all in a cute and comfortable café.
The Neon Museum – This distinctive museum is a place where you can learn about the history of Las Vegas’ love affair with neon signs.
Banger Brewery – Banger Brewery is a local brewery near the Fremont Street experience. Try the Jalapeño Hefe.
The Beat Coffeehouse and Records – You’ll likely find artists, telecommuters, and music lovers at the Beat Coffeehouse. Step inside and relax in an inviting and intellectual space.
Thank you to Kimberly C. for contributing pictures to this article. You can find more of Kim’s pictures on Instagram. All other pictures are by Highway to Hoeftland.
In order to add some personal touches and comfort to our little travel trailer, I purchased several small throw pillows from Target for our trailer’s bed. I think it adds a nice touch! It looks like a day bed now, which I like.
We chose a cotton comforter, in a vintage style, to compliment the type of camper we have, as well as the colors of the trailer, pillows, cupboards, and bedding. We love it!
Decorative hand towels and a towel bar compliment the kitchen area.
Matching cotton bath towels hang on the door in the bathroom.
Added specialty soaps for more of a “glamping” style of camping.
Eventually, I’d like to figure out how to remove the blinds and replace them with curtains, but that’s an ambitious project for another day.
Also, at some point, I’d like to add about ten or more pillows. (Just kidding!). 😉
What else can we do to spice up our little interior space? Do you have any ideas or suggestions?
Highway to Hoeftland 