Viva Las Vegas!

Mexican Bird of Paradise

Last week, I was in Las Vegas, NV for a few days.  My daughter flew in from Minnesota.  I drove down from Idaho.  It's an 8 hour drive and I arrived at the Vegas airport to pick her up around 7pm.  We had 3 great days there.   The next day, my sister and family flew in from Pennsylvania.  That afternoon, we walked over 5 miles!  We pulled a 20 hour tour of the strip that night.  Four miles the next day....how do I know?  My daughter always carries a pedometer in her pocket.

Our daughter lived there for 3 years and knows her way around town pretty well.  However, our first stop is always the Ethel M. Chocolate Factory.  Ethel M is owned by Mars Inc. and was named after the mother of Forrest Mars, Sr.

Of course, the chocolate tour includes a sample at the end of the short tour.  Over the years, I have noticed that the samples are getting smaller and smaller....hmm...  But the highlight for me is the Botanical Cactus Garden that is on the property.  I have been there 5-6 times and it still fascinates me.

Mexican Bird of Paradise behind rocks

Cow's Tongue

Dwarf Joshua Tree

Mojave Yucca

Nevada Ephedra

 

Baja Cholla

Boojum Tree

Saguaros 

I didn't have a ruler with me, but when I got home this pen cap measured 1.5 inches.

It's a beautiful exotic place!