the trip

Have you ever been outside in 117 degree heat before? Well let me explain what that feels like. As soon as you step out of your car, the hot wind slaps your face the way it does when you open an oven. Your eyes burn immediately, and that's the first thing you notice. Next you can feel the sun beat down on your head and you swear god is holding a magnifying glass up to the sun, the way little boys do to burn ants because there's no way the sun could actually be that hot. You begin to wonder if your hair is getting singed by the heat. Then you notice your feet. You can actually feel the heat radiating off the ground, the way it does in one of those old floor heaters. You also notice your movements are slow because it's actually uncomfortable to breathe in the hot air, and you feel as though you are walking through a furnace. That was the first day we arrived in Vegas. Thank god for air conditioning. We stayed at Excalibur. Right after check in we went down to the pool and had a much needed swim. Doug tried to get Jared to go down the waterslide, but he didn't want any part of it. I think it was intimidating to see the big kids come down and land with a big splash into the salty pool. I'd like to think it was salty because of the chemical treatments needed to sustain a pool that large, but it was probably all the sunscreen and sweat, not to mention the pee from all those little kids in there. You KNOW at least SOME of them peed. But, it was basically a public pool, so that's what you get. Yeah, yuck, but it was really fun and it felt nice to cool off. Later that night we went to our favorite Mexican restaurant at Circus Circus, and then headed over to the Bellagio to watch the water show and see the conservatory.

The next day we dragged ourselves out of bed and went down to the buffet in which we gorged ourselves senseless on everything from pancakes to enchiladas. Knowing full well it was hotter then Hades outside, we took the indoor moving sidewalk from Excalibur to the Luxor next door, and then on to Mandalay Bay where we spent a couple of hours at the shark reef where Jared got to pet some reef sharks and see jellyfish like in Nemo, and see sharks with jagged teeth which scared him a little. We took our time there, and enjoyed the air condition and the aquatic life. Later that night we headed over to Treasure Island to see the outdoor pirate show. And what I mean by "pirate show" is a bunch of hot half naked women provocatively dancing on a pirate ship accompanied by loud cannons, fire explosions, fireworks and a sinking ship. It's every man's fantasy, and I have to say I'm a little surprised it's open for public viewing because it was reeking of sexual innuendos. Years ago when I saw the show it wasn't nearly as raw, or as entertaining. Still, it was a good show for the most part. It was fun to watch, I'd have to admit.

The last day we checked out, and headed over to the Mirage to see the dolphin exhibit where we did indeed see dolphins, along with tigers, lions, and elephants. The sucky part about that was it being outside, and over 100 degrees. They did have those mister thingies you see at amusement parks to cool you off a little. Jared really liked this part of the trip because the dolphins swam right up to him and he could have touched one if he reached his hand out to it. Those animals are so awesome to watch. I think I want to swim with one sometime.

After the dolphins Doug and I got some frapacinos, and Jared had lemonade. We sat down inside the Mirage to cool off and relax. The boys then played in the arcade for an hour or so, and Jade and I went onto the terrace and watched the hotel guests relax and play in the pool. We then piled in the car and headed home. The kids were restless towards the end of the 4 hour drive, and when we finally got home I was glad to sit down on my own couch and sleep in my own bed. It was a great trip.