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Monday 8 October 2012

Wonders Of The Golden West Part 6.....

After a good night's sleep and a hearty breakfast we departed the hotel to go to a nearby airfield where this


was waiting to take us on our ride through the Grand Canyon.     We'd seen the Canyon from the rim but were now going to descend below the rim and follow the Colorado river on it's journey through the Canyon.

I'm not nervous about flying in a plane but a small helicopter holding six passengers and the pilot was a little daunting.    Pushing my hesitancy firmly away I climbed into the helicopter with MWM and the other four passengers, one of whom sat in the front with the pilot and we took off.   I was surpised at how smooth the take off was and had soon forgotten all my nerves and was enjoying the view trying to capture it with my trusty camera.





Then the battery on my camera conked out and I didn't have a spare!!!  Luckily MWM videod the whole thing but as it was a two hour trip I will just share the actual ride through the Canyon as we followed the Colorado River on it's journey, look out for the boat.

 


We actually landed in the Canyon to refuel and MWM was able to sit in front with the Pilot for the return journey - he was thrilled - I stayed in the middle of the seat in the back, that was close enough to the windows for me.   The Canyon is even more amazing when you get below the rim, the whole experience was fantastic and has left us with fabulous memories.    

Back in Vegas we went for a quick lunch then decided to explore Caesar's Palace.









and even stopped for a drink in one of the bars in there.




before heading back to the hotel for a rest.  

I watched the lights of Las Vegas coming on through our hotel window




 before getting ready for our evening out 


to see 'The Rat Pack is Back' at the Rio Hotel.  It's a fabulous show and the artistes were very believable as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, if you ever get to Vegas I can thoroughly recommend the show.  We couldn't take any photographs inside  but you can see the promotional video here.

After the show we were booked in to sample the 'Carnival World Buffet' at the Rio Hotel too.   OMG I've never seen so much food!!  From pizza to omelets, sushi to teppan yaki, fresh carved meats to Asian barbecue, homemade pies, cakes and pastries and a whole lot more.   I defy anyone to come away from that buffet hungry. 

Full to overflowing it was time to go back to the hotel and go to bed, ready for another full day and a visit to Hoover Dam on our last day in Vegas.   Join me next time for Wonders Of The Golden West Part 7.


20 comments:

Cloudia said...

Hooo-WEEEE! You are two dynamos! Enjoyed your aerials

Aloha from Waikiki,
Have a sweet week
Comfort Spiral
=^..^=

> < } } ( ° >

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

your trips are fabulous! keep going, i wish we had gone more often!

smiles, bee
xoxoxooxxo

Ron said...

"I'm not nervous about flying in a plane but a small helicopter holding six passengers and the pilot was a little daunting."

Yes! I would have been DAUNTED too!!! I've never flown in a helicopter before, and am scared to try it, but I still want to try it some day.

STUNNING shots of the Canyon, m'dear! They're breathtaking! As well as the video!

LOVE the photos of Caesars Palace! Isn't it faaaaaaaabulous? Now THAT'S a hotel I've been to when I lived in Vegas. In fact, my parents ALWAYS stayed at Caesars when they went to Vegas. It was like a tradition.

Wonderful Part 6! I look forward to Part 7!

Thanks for sharing!
X

P.S. Btw, you look smashing in that dress!

Winifred said...

My what a brilliant time you're having. My husband has always wanted to ride over the Grand Canyon but like you I'd be nervous. Maybe next year!

You look fabulous in that posh frock!

Travis Cody said...

Some say that the buffets in Vegas are the real 8th wonder of the world. Sounds like you had a good one.

Adam said...

thats so cool that you'll got to go on a helicopter ride

G-Man said...

Did you do anything that "Stayed in Vegas"?

Commander Zaius said...

Sounds awesome!

I've heard some wild stories of the Vegas buffet tables.

Valerie said...

Spectacular scenes, Pearl. Loved the video; at times it looked like the canyon was moving instead of the helicopter. I am envious of several things now, your description of the food got my mouth watering,the ride in a helicopter, and Caesar's Palace. I went to a CP once, but not THAT one. Looking forward now to the next lot of pictures to drool over.

Daryl said...

ah Caesars ... the shopping mall in there is hard to find your way out of ... i do believe its on purpose ...

Sandi McBride said...

OMG...you are amazing...don't know that Iwould have climbed into that toy coptor lol...loved the photos, hope your trip was perfect!!!
Sandi

katie eggeman said...

I think it would be wonderful to fly in the Helicopter along the river. Since I can't remember the GC, I was surprised the river was so muddy looking. We saw it when we crossed the Rockies this time and it was fast and clear. It must really pick up the dirt thru the canyon. Where we cross at CA and AZ it isn't as muddy either. Very surprising to me.

A Lady's Life said...

You are truly having a wonderful time and I love your dress.:)

Flowerpot said...

WOW!!!!

Akelamalu said...

We try Cloudia ;)

Well I'd rather run out of money than run out of time Bee! LOL

I'm so glad I did the helicopter trip Ron, I wouldn't hesitate to do another one now. Caesar's Palace is amazing! Thanks for the compliment, xx

Oh do it Winnifred, you won't regret it honest! Thanks for the compliment.

I must say I can agree with that Trav!

Yes it is Adam, it was expensive but worth it.

Now that would be telling G-man LOL

It was Beach. What stories?

So pleased you enjoyed the helicopter video Valerie, it doesn't do it justice really but it's the best I can do.

Caesar's is so huge it really is hard to find your way out I think Daryl

I really had to pluck up courage to do the helicopter ride Sandi but I wouldn't hesitate again, it was fabulous!

I was surprised how muddy it looked too BankerChick especially as the water in Lake Mead was so blue and clear. As you say it must pick up the mud from the canyon.

We did have a wonderful time Lady's Life - been back nearly four weeks now so it was a while ago. Glad you like the dress.

I know Flowerpot that's what I kept saying all the time we were there! LOL

Glad you enjoyed it James

cheshire wife said...

Absolutely stunning!

Lea said...

Thank you for taking me with you :)

Melanie said...

So cool! Now I really REALLY want to go!

Akelamalu said...

It was Cheshire Wife :)

My pleasure Lea :)

You msut Melanie x

Anonymous said...

You sound like your are having a wonderful time. Nice pictures. I remember the water line that you see at the dam, in 1983 the lake water was at that line. The lake was going over the dam spillway. We went out to see it. There was water spray coming off of it and you could see a lot of fish going into the spillway. Now the water is so low.