Las Vegas

Steps for Sunday were 8, 151 - a bit disappointing to be honest.

Monday is day 40 of the GCC walk and it started with a walk for Millie. Steps to the top of the street and back = 5253 and the walk took about 55 minutes.

More about Las Vegas. The name means "meadows" in Spanish as the town is an oasis in the Nevada dessert.

Population = 478,434

Yes, it is true, there is a drive through wedding chapel in Las Vegas. The Tunnel of Love Drive-Through Wedding Chapel was originally created to make it easier for individuals who have difficulty walking to get married but the idea took off as a novelty way to tie the knot. If you do here's hoping you have better success than the locals - Las Vegas has the highest percentage of divorced residents and the highest rate of suicides in the US.

There are more than 35 wedding chapels. In the first five months of 1995, there were 44,104 wedding licenses issued including 158 in Laughlin. In 1994, 99,310 wedding licenses were issued in the Las Vegas area, with 79 in Laughlin. $35 license fee; Marriage License Bureau hours are 8 a.m. (0800) to midnight (2400) Monday through Thursday; 8 a.m. (0800) Friday to midnight (2400) Sunday; 24 hours all legal holidays in Nevada. On Valentine's Day weekend in 1994, 2,353 marriage licenses were issued. A license can be purchased in Laughlin 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Justice Court Clerk's office in the Regional Government Center, 101 Civic Way.

Some of the local attractions that I could try while here are listed below - however my next destination is the Grand Canyon. Sad as it is I can remember when the Brady Bunch went to the Grand Canyon! This went to air in the US in September 1971, later in Aus. If you are excited by the connection (loose though it may be) there is an Encyclopaedia Brady.

MT. CHARLESTON -- 35 miles (56 km.) from Las Vegas, highest elevation 11,918 feet (3,615 meters), winter skiing, picnicking, hiking, horseback riding, tours available.
BONNIE SPRINGS OLD NEVADA -- An old western town in Red Rock Canyon 16 miles west of Las Vegas with a motel, shops, activities and western shootouts.

DEATH VALLEY -- 135 miles (216 km.) from Las Vegas, 40 minutes by plane, lowest elevation on North American Continent at 280 feet below sea level (84.93 meters), Zabiske Point, 20 Mule Canyon, Scotty's Castle, tours available.

ETHEL M CHOCOLATE FACTORY -- Self-guided tours available for factory and outside botanical garden and cactus display.

GRAND CANYON -- About 300 miles (480 km.) from Las Vegas, 1 1/2 hour flight by plane, tours available.

LAKE MEAD NATIONAL RECREATION AREA -- Closest point 25 miles (40 km.) from Las Vegas, more than 550 miles (880 km.) of shoreline, swimming, water skiing, camping, boating, fishing, six marinas, tours available.

HOOVER DAM -- 34 miles (54.4 km.) from Las Vegas, 726 feet high (220.00 meters) from bedrock, wonder of the modern world, tours of inside and outside of dam available; in July 1994, the 30 millionth visitor toured the dam since it opened. Visitors touring the dam totaled 279,205 in the first five months of 1995 and 712,130 in 1994. Black Canyon River Raft Tours available below dam.

RED ROCK CANYON -- 15 miles (24 km.) west of Las Vegas, 3,000- foot (910 meters) escarpment produced by thrust fault, Bureau of Land Management visitors center, scenic area of rock formations and desert.

VALLEY OF FIRE STATE PARK -- 55 miles (88 km.) from Las Vegas, scenic landscapes of hidden canyons and unique rock formations, petroglyphs and remains of ancient Indian civilization, Nevada Park Service visitors center, tours available.

BIRTHDAY -- The city of Las Vegas celebrated its 100th birthday on May 15, 2005. The events celebrated the May 15, 1905 auction in which 110 acres of downtown Las Vegas laid the foundation for the city we know today. The celebration began on December 31, 2004, and lasted throughout 2005.

Gotta stop now, slice still to make - stats from Sole Sistaz tomorrow.