Viva Las Vegas

Dave, Nate and I went to Vegas last week for a bike conference. We had a great time seeing the sights.... (this view's via sunroof...nice!)

We rode the train between Treasure Island and Mirage about 4 times without getting off since Nate was actually sitting still and having fun (and Dave too).
At Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat, Nate loved matching up the animals to the brochure. We saw rare lions and tigers and got up close to some dolphins. The white lions are in a very deep sleep here....I think they just had a big lunch.
zzzzzzz, another big lunch.
Some of the animals looked like they wanted to eat us, haha. I think I would have a heart attack if I saw one of these in real life. They are gigantic!

Beautiful Bottlenose Dolphins.



Giant fish tank at the Mirage
Nate and I ventured out to Red Rocks Canyon one morning. They have a great interpretive center with views looking out to the canyon. I can't wait to go back and do some of the hikes.




Only in Vegas
Our hotel had lots of games, so we spent some time here to entertain Nate... and we didn't even have to put any money in!


bucket of Red Stripe

The best show I've ever seen (last trip)... Beatles Love. We had to go back to let Nate run around on the color changing floor.
The arcade at the Nascar restaurant

Nate had a great time in Vegas. We sure did get our exercise following him around. The bike conference was great... endless vendors with thousands of ideas for business inspiration and connections. Dave and I even got a break from everything.... we found a childcare and got a night out in the Palms hotel. I wish I had gotten some pictures because the views from this hotel were amazing! Back to reality now... no trips for a while.... although, I'm kind of used to being on the road and could do it again soon!

Woodies at Moonlight Beach

Nevada City, CA

By far, the highlight of the trip for Nate was riding this tractor.
Nate walked up a big hill in downtown Nevada City, while eating a homemade mint chocolate chip ice cream cone, and discovered this giant pumpkin at the top!
Nate, Dave, and Jordan having fun at the Yuba River. We spent most of the day lounging, swimming, looking for frogs, climbing rocks, and watching people pan for gold (it's still found in this historic mining town).

Yuba River


look at that smile! He got to go on two tractor rides with Jordan while we were here!
He wanted to run around outside as soon as he woke up.
Dana and Jordan get great sunset views. Too bad the picture doesn't do it justice.
The dogs wanted some mac-n-cheese too!

We had a great time visiting Jordan (Dave's good friend from college) and his fiance, Dana. Nevada City is historic and beautiful. It's about 2 1/2 hours northeast of Napa Valley and 1 hour west of Lake Tahoe.

Sequoia Nat'l Forest

Wading in Hume Lake. This is just north of Sequoia Nat'l Park and on the way to King's Canyon. We camped here for 2 nights last week before heading up to Nevada City, CA for a couple of days.
feet in the water, cold beer, nothing to do but look at the scenery... what could be more relaxing?

View of King's Canyon on the way back from the Boole Tree. I think there was a fire while we were there so it's a bit hazy.
Top of the Boole Sequoia tree (above right from the spot on the picture). The tree is 269 ft. tall and has a 113 foot circumference! Largest tree in any National Forest. A few larger trees are in Sequoia National Park. The largest Sequoias in the National Park are roped off so it was nice that we could walk right up to this tree.
I couldn't get the whole base in the picture but here are Sadie and Nate to show scale.
Nate wanted to be in the backpack for the whole 2.5 miles. He is not light!
Sadie and Dave walking up to the Boole tree.
Eating lunch at the trail head while Nate was napping in the truck.
He looks like such a little camper! We put a glow necklace and bracelet on him so we could see him running around in the dark.
Nate and I found this crawfish on the beach. Dave boiled it and ate it!!
He had so much fun at the lake!
Hume Lake
Hume Lake
Sadie loved traveling with us. Here she is waiting for us to load up the truck with firewood.
Gathering firewood
Nate loved helping

After we went to the nature center (previous post), we stopped by Shelter Island to see the Parade of Sails (historic tall ships sailing through the bay).

Chula Vista Nature Center

Nate and I love looking at animals. This time, we ventured down to the Chula Vista Nature Center, just south of downtown. The showcase of native Southern California animals (except for the Iguana below) was fun to explore.

What a sweet baby boy Toby is. Congrats, Lee and Brian!! (We loved holding him!)