Red Rock Canyon

Today Andre and I have plans to go to Red Rock Canyon.  Jackie decided to join us this morning for taking some pictures.  Red Rock Canyon is only about 30 minutes outside of Las Vegas, hard to believe all this natural beauty so close to such a big city.  The drive is set up one way around a paved road with about 11 different scenic viewing points to stop at.  They also have a very nice information centre where we picked up a map and information at the beginning.  We spent about 3 hours touring this area.

At the information center.  Map and panel shows you what you will be seeing up close.

Lots of hiking trails

Another dry river beds

Abandon quarry

Strange looking cactus

Mountains climbers

 

After the Canyon we went back to the chocolate factory so Jackie could use her groupon voucher as their bus tour earlier this week did not stop there as they had advertised.  Chance for some more free chocolate samples!

While Jackie was shopping for chocolates, I took advantage and took a few more pictures after I got my free samples

 

Next we moved on to the Premium Outlet stores for a little shopping.  The others had all taken a bus here this morning and we met up with them just after lunch.  Everyone was able to unload their bags into our car and take the bus home.  We stayed for a couple of hours to shop, harder to find bargains when you have to consider nearly adding 25-30% to everything for exchange.

Tonight Bernie, Lucille, Andre and I have tickets to Barry Manilow.  Again another groupon find, tickets for $25.  I found this while in Florida and when I asked if anyone wanted to join Andre thought he should be paid $25, not he would have to pay, this standing joke went on all week.  The concert was at the MGM Arena, a huge arena, and our $25 seats were WAY up top.  I really enjoyed the show, Barry Manilow is a real showman and I thought did a great job, hard to believe he is 71.  

You know you are not near the stage if you can rent binoculars

Opening act was also good

Barry Manilow

Rainforest Cafe

 

We had planned to all meet at the Rainforest Café following the show for supper at the MGM.  Well, Barry Manilow had an opening act that took about 1 hour, then change sets, then he started and played a lot of his hits.  We knew we would never make our reservation, but luckily for smart phones and texting we were able to let the others know we were going to be very late.  We did finally all meet up at 10:30, another late supper.  Most of the shows start at 7:30, which is too early to have supper before, but makes for very late suppers.  Oh well, in Vegas nothing really has a time does it?