Category Archives: Nevada

Booze, a Dog and a Tongue – Las Vegas

On the bus...
On the bus…

 

 

 

 

Yesterday, I took the bus from Sun-Coast Hotel & Casino thirty minutes away from the strip, to yet another “traveling on a budget” adventure, to check out some cool and weird destinations around downtown Las Vegas, Nevada. Little did I know Booze, a Dog and a Tongue would be the guiding force…

The Pub
The Pub

 

 

 

The one hour bus ride through the Vegas concrete jungle was a perfect excuse to stop at a great watering hole in the shopping center of Aria Hotel & Casino downtown. The stout (I think it was), stronger than braided horse hair, brought me into a wobbling hypnotic state in a very short time…

Tripped out carpet
Tripped out carpet

 

And, near the brink of hallucinating, I staggered down multiple hallways in a casino where tripped out carpet and other weird things on the walls and ceiling had my head spinning.

 

 

 

Turning the corner of the hallway, my eyes squinted, because suddenly, there was a pack of dogs sitting in a circle and chatting.

Lord of the Dogs
Lord of the Dogs

Bizarre as it sounds, I listened carefully. The leader, Lord Dog, spoke softly to the others then, suddenly turned toward me and said-LICK!

Instantly I darted away from the pack terrified and within moments everything around me began to change. It was like running through Alice and Wonderland, an Adult Disney Land of sorts.  I think the Lord Dog put a “Mo Jo” on me.

The Floor
The Floor

 

 

 

 

The hallway I was running down was actually the  back of a giant prehistoric dinosaur looking thing. And, there was water flowing between all of its scales as I hopped between them like crisscrossing a river.

 

Flower Sky
Flower Sky

 

 

 

Staring into the imaginary sky I heard music in the distance. What seemed far away was a flower garden, with an array of colors, butterflies and birds, music drumming into my ears from ancient tribes before the time of man.

The Garden
The Garden

 

 

 

 

Floating through the garden, I began to think about Lord Dog and the meaning of the word LICK?

 

Suddenly, it hit me!

Should I be fearful of this for crying out loud? NO, Lord Dog seemed like an old soul! I should take a chance. Hungry, I devoured everything I put my lips on. And, I put my lips on a lot!

The Lick Shop
The Lick Shop

 

 

EVERYTHING WAS SOOOooooo SWEET AND DELICIOUS!

I couldn’t help myself and LICKED everything!

And, I couldn’t help but think that Lord Dog guided me this way for a reason, but, what could it be?

 

 

 

Surely this was not just for entertainment or some joke? As I ate the last piece of candy, “POOF” a mysterious and magical force created a travel map inside my head, like a GPS of where to go, what to write and photograph. It was amazing, I could see the map so clearly in my head and instantly, I knew that Lord Dog was responsible for all of this. After-all, the things I’d done up to this point was all on the road map. The only way to find out new surprises would be visit each and every one of the locations on the map inside my head.

World's Largest Chocolate Fountain
World’s Largest Chocolate Fountain

 

 

The Worlds Largest Chocolate Fountain, a Guinness Book of World Records holder, a  behemoth that circulates 2 tons of white and dark confectionary grade chocolate at a rate of 120 quarts per minute was instantly in front of my eyes!

 

Suddenly, everything seemed normal again but, was it really? I mean, is this normal, a chocolate fountain four times the height of an average man?

 

 

I was getting weak and needed another piece of chocolate to press on. Of Course Chocolate is the necessary fuel to write a  nutty travel piece, so down the sweet sensation went…

Eiffel Tower
Eiffel Tower

According to the road map, the bus stop located at the base of The Eiffel Tower would whisk me away to yet another attraction!

Downtown Shadows
Downtown Shadows

 

 

Oh by the way, reflections and shadows cast within architecture in Las Vegas is stunning if you pay attention.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lou Ruvo Center
Lou Ruvo Center

The Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health is a “Museum of the Mind,” a community auditorium and one of my favorite pieces of architecture in the United States. Founded by Larry Ruvo who started the foundation in memory of his father Lou Ruvo along with Bobby Baldwin, CEO of Mirage Resorts, who both lost their fathers to Alzheimer’s Disease.

Lou Ruvo Center
Lou Ruvo Center

Opened in May 21, 2010 and designed by the world-renowned architect, Frank Gehry of Gehry Partners in Santa Monica, California.

Gehry’s best-known works include the titanium-covered Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain;

Lou Ruvo Center
Lou Ruvo Center

MIT Ray and Maria Stata Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts; Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles; Experience Music Project in Seattle; Weisman Art Museum in Minneapolis; Dancing House in Prague; the Vitra Design Museum and

 

 

 

 

MARTa Museum in Germany; the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto; the Cinematheque Francaise in Paris; and 8 Spruce Street in New York City. But it was his private residence in Santa Monica, California, which jump-started his career, lifting it from the status of “paper architecture”-a phenomenon that many famous architects have experienced in their formative decades through experimentation almost exclusively on paper before receiving their first major commission in later years.

One of Las Vegas’ most important charity initiatives and a key participant in the national fight against Alzheimer’s disease; since its inception the event has raised more than $20 million towards achieving its goal-the realization of the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health.

While, there are critics of the architecture, it was built to mimic the human brain.

It was kind of weird seeing all of this after being key witness to a talking dog earlier in the day.

 

Anyway, kudos to all involved in this project and other charities.

Fremont Street
Fremont Street

 

 

 

 

Traveling around Vegas, chipping away at my road map list of attractions from Lord Dog, I realized that there’s so much more to see and experience than the ole’ “Sin City” – the World renown adult entertainment hub. Like Binion’s “Licker” bar, of course. After-all, it was on the list.

 

 

 

Fremont Street
Fremont Street

 

And, on the way home, I stopped at old Fremont Street where the World’s largest TV screen is located. See the big upside down “U” looking thing in the photo.

 

 

Old Neon Sign
Old Neon Sign

 

 

 

And, got to check out some of the old Neon Signs left from back in the day…

 

 

The city has done amazing things to revitalize this area of history.

 

 

Luv-It Frozen Custard
Luv-It Frozen Custard

 

 

 

 

 

Well, its time to say goodbye. I’m down to the last attraction on Lord Dogs list and I’m wanting to LICK something delicious. When you have a chance, you should too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once Upon A Time – The Old Mill

View of the mountains on our way to the old mill.
View of the mountains on our way to the old mill.

This month, I’m back in Nevada for a jaw dropping scenic tour that ultimately led to an old timber mill in the high desert. Located at 7400 foot elevation, the mill operated during the Gold Rush and supplied the town of Belmont and surrounding areas wood supplies to build homes and business and was the fuel that kept everyone warm.

Cactus Rock
Cactus Rock

There’s so much to see in the desert and while it appears to be just miles and miles of sand and devoid of life, there’s lots of history here and an interesting and intriguing place.

Climate…

Nevada is the driest state in the United States. It is made up of mostly desert and semiarid climate regions and daytime summer temperatures sometimes may rise as high as 125 °F (52 °C) and nighttime winter temperatures may reach as low as −50 °F (−46 °C). While winters in northern Nevada are long and fairly cold, the winter season in the southern part of the state tends to be of short duration and mild. Most parts of Nevada receive scarce precipitation during the year. Most rain that falls in the state falls on the lee side (east and northeast slopes) of the Sierra Nevada.

 

 

Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree

The average annual rainfall per year is about 7 inches (18 cm); the wettest parts get around 40 inches (100 cm). Nevada’s highest recorded temperature is 125 °F (52 °C) at Laughlin on June 29, 1994 and the lowest recorded temperature is −50 °F (−46 °C) at San Jacinto on January 8, 1937. Nevada’s 125 °F (52 °C) reading is the third highest temperature recorded in the US just behind Arizona’s 128 °F (53 °C) reading and California’s 134 °F (57 °C) reading.

ETYMOLOGY:
Legend has it that the Mormons named the yucca brevifolia the Joshua Tree : (from the resemblance of the tree’s greatly extended branches to Joshua’s outstretched arm as he pointed with his spear to the city of Ai (Joshua 8:18) .

Old Wood and Sod House
Old Wood and Sod House

To see historical settlers homes still standing for nearly 150 years is amazing considering the extreme conditions in this desert region.

On the way to the Old Mill
On the way to the Old Mill

Driving along dusty and rocky back roads, there’s snow-covered mountains with small hills in the forefront. If you notice, there are hundreds of small vertical looking brown rock things.

 

These are called hoodoos. ‘Hoodoos’ are tall skinny spires of rock that protrude from the bottom of arid basins and “broken” lands. Hoodoos or Goblins as they are called are one of the most spectacular displays of erosion. They are geological formations, rocks protruding upwards from the bedrock like some mythical beings, conveying the story of hundreds and thousands of years of weather erosion. 

Hoodoos
Hoodoos

 

Most Hoodoos are made of sandstone, sand-sized particles cemented together by calcite, silica, or iron oxide. They are created by erosion. Rains, running water and strong sand winds slowly chip away the material from the bedrock.

 

As some parts of the sandstone are stronger than others, uneven shapes of remains begin forming.

 

Most of the time Hoodoos have a very hard rock on the top, called the Cap-rock which protects the softer sandstone layers beneath it from further erosion. That is why Hoodoos usually appear as ‘spikey’, ‘human’ looking formations ranging in size from that of a human to that of a ten story building.

 

Old Mill
Old Mil

 

The old mill was still standing despite removal of all its timbers, steel lintels, wood doors and windows throughout the years.

 

Snapping a few photos from the leeward side of the sunset as shadows cast on the backdrop of Table Top Mountain was truly a site to see.

 

Old Mill
Old Mill

 

It was dead quiet inside the mill and for a moment, I thought I heard voices…

Maybe, it’s because Belmont’s a Ghost Town, or maybe, just maybe, it’s because, I was standing there alone and the fantasy of how it use to be a thriving town of 15,000 people played back in my mind, a place of opportunity full of stories back in the day …

Whatever it was, the panoramic view from the old mill paints a vivid picture, that once upon a time mountains surrounding this desert valley was filled with trees and Belmont was a very prosperous wild west town to live in.

Table Top Mountain
Table Top Mountain

 

 

 

Once upon a time…

Back in the day…

***TO ENLARGE PHOTOS – “CLICK” WITHIN GALLERY BELOW ***

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nevada’s Desert & Mountains

Highly Classified Military Zone
Highly Classified Military Zone

 

 

Another journey…

On the way up to Belmont, Nevada to visit my dad, mom, sis, nephew El and I passed a military base (area 51), about one hour or so from  Las Vegas. While officially there’s no primary purpose, it appears it’s a site used for experimental aircraft and weapons development and is also famous for various conspiracy theories and UFO sightings. Separate from Edwards Air Force Base in the Mojave Desert, it’s within the United States Air Force vast Nevada Test and Training Range.  The name area 51 is officially used by the CIA as well as other names such as Dreamland, Paradise Ranch and others. This isn’t a normal base since it’s used for highly classified military-defense programs which all are unacknowledged by the government. Everything that happens here is classified as TOP SECRET. This area isn’t even shown on government maps.

Alien Cow Thing
Alien Cow Thing

About an hour drive later there was snow on the ground. I took a photo of this alien cow looking thing  and thought to myself, “Who in their right mind stops in the middle of nowhere in frigid conditions to take a photo of a cow? LOL

 

 

 

 

Belmont
Belmont

Anyway, when we arrived in the old Ghost town of Belmont a couple hours later, I just knew there was a story here and plenty of opportunity to take some fantastic photos! In Colorado Springs, we haven’t had a cold winter and no substantial amount of snowfall to speak of for years. It was so beautiful!

 

Mom and Dad
Mom and Dad

There’s only a dozen or so residents living in Belmont year round and Dads one of them.

 

 

 

 

My parents and I are similar in some ways, driven by challenge and thriving on adventure, givers of the heart. But, … I’m the black sheep, not one for the weak and timid and get bored easily. So… I keep on moving… Intrigued by the human condition and happy to be able to document life’s experiences…

Old B & B
Old B & B

Mom likes living in the big city and dad seems to like the hermit lifestyle devoid of electricity, gas stations, Mc-E-Dees, Snack-a-Bell or for that matter  grocery stores. The people in Belmont get their power from the sun and propane, so there’s definitely a challenge living there. But, dad loves it and I’m happy for him.

There’s a nice B & B and a couple of bars for the wandering few during summer time but, that’s about it. It’s a barren place to be during the winter but, when you open your eyes, there’s so much to see…

Dad and Stanley
Dad and Stanley

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And, I like my dads friend Mr. Stanley. He’s a character. After-all, there’s only a few other people living in Belmont during the winter and sometimes, it’s a tough place to be alone.

 

 

Snowmobile tracks
Snowmobile tracks

 

 

 

 

 

But, it’s a peaceful place in the mountains and, it’s easy to see why dad likes it so much.

 

 

Snowwoman & Alien Babies
Snowwoman & Alien Babies

 

My sister lives in the metropolis of Chicago where the elevations slightly above sea level but, Belmont’s located in the high country at over 7400 feet and takes a while to acclimate to the change.

 

 

Belmont View
Belmont View

And, boy did the elevation change affect my sister and El! They got a case of altitude sickness and were a little cranky being cooped up in the cabin in the frozen tundra for those few days!

None-the-less, you can see we were all having a great time!

El, Mom and Dad
El, Mom and Dad

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We even built  “Snowwoman & Alien Babies”! LOL

Dirty Dicks Saloon
Dirty Dicks Saloon

 

 

 

The next day, El took me on an adventure in the Polaris to see cool places I’d never been before. Like, Dirty Dicks Saloon!

I know he’s only 13 but, what a cool kid! After-all, we weren’t drinking in Dirty Dicks, we were only taking photos!

 

Old Miners House
Old Miners House

When sis and El use to live in Vegas, they’d hang out with mom and dad in Belmont.

 

 

El knows where all the cool places are!

 

 

 

Dad & El
Dad & El

 

 

 

 

Here’s a photo of dad and El making another run up the hill in the Polaris. El was super excited to go sledding!

 

 

 

 

El Sledding
El Sledding

 

And, there he goes down Mr. Stanley’s driveway

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr. Stanley
Mr. Stanley

 

 

 

Even Mr. Stanley got in on the action!

 

 

 

 

Old Truck
Old Truck

 

 

The time in Belmont was an unforgettable experience of quality time with family and Mr. Stanley. And, spending it in a place that hasn’t been jaded by modern technology, something that most of us truly believe we can’t live without, is what made the trip even more memorable.

 

 

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON BELMONT, NEVADA, CHECK OUT THE WEBSITE BELOW…

http://www.westernmininghistory.com/towns/nevada/belmont/

The Belmont Courthouse

The Belmont Courthouse

 

Stay tune for more of Tony’s World…