The behemoth sight of The Sphere, taken from my ride on The High Roller. 

After my last visit to Vegas back in 2018, I thought the city had everything and the kitchen sink. Sprawling buffets, 24-hour weed dispensaries, replicas of the Eiffel Tower and Brooklyn Bridge, fountain shows at the Bellagio, light shows at Fremont Street, and “Elvis” posing with families on the Strip sidewalks while trucks advertising near-nude escorts drive past. I guess I underestimated Vegas and its penchant for excess for they added more things since my last visit, namely The High Roller and The Sphere. Sooooo many more things to see, and yet…

…with a view like this from my room, it was kind of tough getting out. (That’s how much of a slut I am for pretty views from my home.)

By the way, after seeing more Trump ads on those digital billboards and on every other street corner, I think the next time I visit Vegas, it will be on a non-Presidental election year. It’s bad enough the convicted felon’s hotel is there, although it was also easy to miss since other buildings caught my eye. (In fairness, there were more Kamala ads around, including one on that big-ass Sphere.) 

This was taken from observation deck at The Strat (more on this later), and I found out earlier that day that her ads would be featured on that Sphere. So glorious! 🥹

Not so glorious but amusing is seeing a gold-plated eyesore pull up to the Dollar Tree, of all places. Only in Vegas. I’d say people who voluntarily buy those abominations on wheels (after all the batshit crazy things its creator has said and done) have Dollar Tree morals, but that would be insulting to Dollar Tree.

How my first full day in Vegas started…

…and how it ended!

Yup, I did it. Of course I would. Riding The Big Shot has become a Vegas tradition of mine and has been so since 2003. It’s just not a Vegas trip without risking my life while being shot up into the air on a thrill ride 1000+ feet above the Strip! What’s funny (and sad) was that when I wanted a pic of me on the ride, they had none because the windy conditions that night messed with the cameras. I felt bad for the couple that rode with me since, going by their British (or Aussie?) accent, they traveled far for the ride and couldn’t get a souvenir pic. 

View of the Vegas strip from The Strat’s observation deck. Look at the Sphere getting into the Halloween spirit! And there’s the hotel I’m staying at, too!

Speaking of the Halloween spirit, I learned that only in Vegas does it extend past October 31st. 

Spotted at the Fremont Street Experience on November 1st. Hey, it’s Xtina!!

Also found at FSE: attire for the demure flower in you. 

Bellagio’s annual Fall Harvest display, titled “The Garden Of Time”. I first learned of Bellagio’s autumn tradition in my last Vegas trip six years ago. 

The world-famous Bellagio fountains, with Paris Las Vegas and The High Roller in the background. I liked how the fountains danced to Elvis’ “Viva Las Vegas”. (Side note: I would’ve had captures from the Eiffel Tower replica, but they were closed during my trip.) 

I legit thought this Ross on the Strip was also a Museum Of Illusions. It would’ve been quintessentially Vegas if that was truly the case. 

Just a typical step count whenever I walked the Strip. 

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Because I didn’t want my trip to be all city lights and lurid surroundings, I also had fun out in nature, too. 

The top three pics are from the Hoover Dam. First time visiting the place, and I didn’t realize how close it was from Vegas (like a 40-45 min drive). I also didn’t know I’d get to cross another state line while there (Arizona). Who knew I’d drive through three states on my trip?

Captures from Red Rock Canyon National Reserve–always a feast for the eyes. I’m glad I went there the day I did, because I would find out the entire scenic drive would be closed for a special event the next day. 

Alas, when night fell, so did the good taste of my surroundings. 

Outside the Heart Attack Grill at FSE. 

I didn’t expect this entry to get so long, nor did I expect a series to come out of this, so there will be a Part Three. Hopefully I’ll post it sooner than the time it took me to finish Part Two here.