Today we headed southwest outside of Tucson to the town of Tombstone, Arizona.
Many of you might be recognize the town’s name. It was the home to the famous gunfight between the Earp brothers and Clanton-McLaury gang at the O.K. Corral.
But there is so much more history that this town has to offer. And it is more than willing to share it with every visitor that enters the streets of this historic Wild West Town.
Tombstone, AZ is home to the famous O.K. Corral Gunfight.
The History of Tombstone, Arizona
Tombstone was founded in 1877 by a prospector named Ed Schieffelin. Ed liked going out to explore the desert area to look for rocks. This was quite dangerous to do, as the weather was brutal and there were Indian tribes in the area.
His fellow soldiers told him that if he continued looking for stones that the only one he would find would be his “Tombstone”. But lucky for him, within a few days, he discovered Silver.
The streets of Tombstone, Arizona are still filled with Cowboys who reenact gunfights.
And that was the beginning of the huge mining operation in this remote area. As people began to gather the town needed a name. And Ed decided that the name of the town should fittingly be Tombstone!
At its peak, it is said to have been the fastest growing city between St. Louis and San Francisco. There were over one hundred saloons, numerous restaurants, two theatres and even a large red-light district.
Bird Cage Theatre
The Bird Cage Theatre was not only a theater, but it was a gambling hall, saloon and brothel as well.
In fact, one of the most famous theatres. The Bird Cage Theatre was several of those things. It was a saloon, theater, gambling hall and brothel all in one.
Rumor has it that it was named for the round cages that held the lady entertainers inside.
And to this day, if you go inside, you can still see over 100 bullet holes in the walls and ceilings from frequent gunfight battles that occurred there.
On the streets of Tombstone, we witnessed a ceremonial Native American dance.
But that isn’t all that we got to witness today. We were fortunate enough to be there on a day when a Native American program was being performed on the streets of Tombstone.
Right in front of us there were ceremonial songs, dances, and tributes being conducted as they would have been done many years ago.
We stood and watched for awhile before we continued our stroll down the wood plank sidewalks of the town.
You can even take a tour of Tombstone via a Stagecoach ride.
Today you can still find several artifact shops, saloons, restaurants, theaters and more down Allen Street.
We enjoyed our time walking the streets of Tombstone and to see what it would be like living in a Wild West Town of years past. And it made us appreciate the fact that we don’t!
Happy Traveling! Jim and Mary
Trip Stats To Date
Day 104 of 365
States : 13 / 50
National Parks / Monuments : 16
Stayed In : Tucson, Arizona
Miles Driven : 154.9
Total Trip Miles To Date : 11,181.4
Total Gallons Used : 816.16
Biking Miles : 0.0
Biking Miles To Date : 142.5
Hiking Miles : 1.6
Hiking Miles To Date : 254.7
About Our Living Simple Tour
On September 9th, 2019, we set out in our NuCamp T@B 400 Teardrop Camper to travel to every state. You can check out all of our dates here : Dates for the States
Today we had the chance to visit and tour the Biosphere 2, just north of Tucson, Arizona.
This is the exact location and facility that was the home for 8 adults in a sealed, biosphere environment for 2 years from 1991-1993.
And because we were staying in Tucson, Arizona we both agreed that this was a visit that we must make while were were in town.
As we were driving to the remote location, we began to reminisce about what we remembered about the Biosphere 2. We both remembered facts from news broadcasts about the iconic human and environmental scientific experiment. And the funny thing is we both recalled different memories.
We tried to remember how many Biosopherians were to call this location home for 2 years. And recall how many months that the experiment actually lasted.
The Biosphere 2 had a fully stocked kitchen, but it was growing and harvesting the food that was the challenge.
So today, we were able to settle all debates about what we remembered. We got an up close and personal view and history lesson on why and how Biosphere 2 was built and maintained.
History of the Biosphere 2 Structures
During the late 1980s, Space Biosphere Ventures dreamed of building the Biosphere 2. It was a private company that began to conduct a series of small scale trials on sustainable living.
The company began planning a long-term experiment to study everything they could about human survival in a sealed, sustainable environment. They hoped to identify the effects humans had on their environment, and vice versa.
So they tried a few small scale trials of humans being sealed in various biome environments. After being successful with these mini experiments, they decided to pursue their dreams.
You can take a look inside the Biosphere 2 where each individual resident had a 400 square foot, townhouse that held a desk, couch and a Murphy bed.
They continued to build the Biosphere 2, and in late 1991, the first 8 residents entered the sealed building.
But it just wasn’t any building. This 150 million dollar structure was home to 5 different biomes including a rain forest, ocean, desert and more!
The scientific experiment focused on how humans can interact successfully within various environments that are found on earth. And that meant that they had to be totally self-sustainable in regards to food and water consumption.
Although they were sealed in the building, visitors had the opportunity to talk to them through a window and a direct phone line.
Although the crew surpassed the expectation to complete the time period of 2 years it wasn’t easy or without struggles. The actual time spent in the building was 2 years and 20 minutes.
The Struggles of Biosphere 2
There were several issues with being sealed in for two years. The bees died due to the lack of natural light. And subsequently they were unable to pollinate the farm crops.
So the crew had to hand pollinate and tend to all the crops which meant spending 12 hours a day working on the farm. There was constant hunger and fighting among the crew and it proved to be a very difficult 2 years.
Although all 8 individuals made it through the entire timespan, the unexpected amount of farming that it took to harvest enough food for everyone was exhausting.
And not only were they tired. This left little time for actual scientific experiments beyond providing the basic needs of the residents.
On the working farm there were also chickens, goats and pigs inside the sealed building.
Then of course there is the natural drama of living with 4 men and 4 women. Of course, being hungry didn’t help the social interactions and most likely spurred the riffs that developed amongst the crew members.
Although there was a separation of unity between the two groups that formed, in the end, there were 6 couples that developed after being together for so long. And as of today, they are still together.
The New Era
So you may be wondering if the Biosphere 2 is still a sealed, self-sustaining facility for adults. And the answer is No, Absolutely Not.
After one more attempt at having another crew live inside, there was a change in management and the scientific experiment was aborted early.
Columbia University leased the facility and changed the focus to environmental scientific research from 1995-2003.
The Ocean Biome where scientific research is being conducted on how to help corral reef survive the ever changing pH levels of the ocean waters.
They also added several buildings and walkways in hopes that one day it would also become a tourist destination.
The facility was sold to a private investment group and in 2007. And the University of Arizona began to revamp and run the facility.
Today’s Environmental Experiments
And today, it is the largest research facility for Environmental Scientific Research in the world.
Although it doesn’t house any residents, and it is no longer sealed, the scientific studies that are conducted at this facility are amazing.
An aquaponic experimental garden being conducted as research for sustaining growth without soil.
Right now the Rain Forest team is conducting a massive research project on droughts and it’s impact on the environment.
And then there is the Ocean Biome where corral reefs are being studied. The focus is to modify them for long term survival in the ever changing ocean environment.
However, that is just the tip of the ice berg. From gardening practices to feed the ever growing population and raising crops on Mars, to making soil from lava rock crumbles, it is all being done at the Biosphere 2.
The one of only two Mars Garden experiments. A garden growing in a sealed environment, just as it would be required on Mars.
The research that is being conducted in this remote site that once was called home to several individuals, is incredible. In fact, it is truly life changing.
We have been on several tours during our time on the road, but this one, by far, exceeded all expectations!
If you are ever in the Tucson area, or if you are a scientific, human, or environmental junkie, this is the place for you!
Here are the LEO domes which are the newest and largest experimental project focusing on the rain water impact on a mountain slope environment.
We would highly suggest to take not only the General Admission tour but also the History tour.
The information, questions and answers was well worth the admission price!
Happy Traveling! Jim and Mary
Trip Stats To Date
Day 103 of 365
States : 13 / 50
National Parks / Monuments : 15
Stayed In : Tucson, Arizona
Miles Driven : 105
Total Trip Miles To Date : 11,026.5
Total Gallons Used : 804.85
Biking Miles : 0.0
Biking Miles To Date : 142.5
Hiking Miles : 3.3
Hiking Miles To Date : 253.1
About Our Living Simple Tour
On September 9th, 2019, we set out in our NuCamp T@B 400 Teardrop Camper to travel to every state. You can check out all of our dates here : Dates for the States
All it takes is a visit to the Tucson Botanical Gardens to find some serious beauty in the high desert. In fact, so beautiful, that Reader’s Digest name it as the Best Secret Garden in America!
Of course, gardening is one of our favorite topics of all. And we have been so fortunate to see some great garden displays on the trip so far. See : Sunken Gardens ; Dan Walt Gardens
So as we rolled through Tucson, this little gem was at the top of our list to see.
The Tucson Botanical Gardens are located on the former property and home of Bernice and Rutger Porter.
This rose was simply stunning as it unfurled its pinkish, cream and yellow petals. We were both surprised at just how much color there can be in a high desert landscape.
The couple ran a successful landscape nursery back in the day, and then donated the house and grounds to become a lasting monument to the beauty of the high desert.
We thought for today’s update, we would share a few of our favorite photos from our visit.
Our Day At The Tucson Botanical Gardens
The grounds are filled with pathways that lead to new discoveries around every corner. With temperatures near 70 and sunny skies above, it was a perfect day to spend outdoors. The Cox Butterfly & Orchid Pavilion was a sight to behold. Inside the temperature controlled environment, hundreds of butterfly species flutter around at will. There is also an impressive plant collection of sword ferns, orchids, hibiscus, and bromeliads.With Christmas just around the corner, the Tucson Botanical Gardens were decked out in holiday attire. The garden hosts a luminary tour during the Christmas season, bringing it all alive in the evening as well.This grapefruit tree towered above us along our walk, and was absolutely loaded with fruit. We were both surprised to learn that everything from limes to lemons can be grown here.The bright red berries of the Firethorn bush. These berries are a big source of nutrition for birds, especially in the winter when food is scarce. And not to be left out, there were some beautiful cacti all around. This Oregon Pipe variety was one of our favorites.Flowering Kale is on full display at the gardens. We have visited several gardens now that have used this plant for beautiful fall and winter color – and we can’t wait to try this back at home in our own flowerbeds as well.
One thing is for sure, we could go on forever with the photos!
In fact, we both had to finally download a few thousand photos today from our trip just to have room to take more! Happy Traveling – Jim and Mary
Trip Stats To Date
Day 102 of 365
States : 13 / 50
National Parks / Monuments : 15
Stayed In : Tucson, Arizona
Miles Driven : 223.4
Total Trip Miles To Date : 10,921.5
Total Gallons Used : 786.625
Biking Miles : 0.0
Biking Miles To Date : 142.5
Hiking Miles : 3.5
Hiking Miles To Date : 249.8
About Our Living Simple Tour
On September 9th, 2019, we set out in our NuCamp T@B 400 Teardrop Camper to travel to every state. You can check out all of our dates here : Dates for the States
Wherever we go, there is always something new to see or do, and that was certainly the case in the sunny Phoenix today.
We have actually been blessed with great weather for the last two weeks. And we will take all we can get!
We did however, make one costly mistake today, and I will get to that in a bit.
We spent a lot of time exploring the communities around the Phoenix area, like Old Town Scottsdale. One thing remains constant wherever we go, it seems to always be sunny in the Phoenix area!
Montezuma’s Castle
Our day started off with a short one hour drive from our Phoenix campsite to Montezuma’s Castle. This National Park / National Monument is really a treasure to behold.
It is amazing to think that the ancient Sinagua people were able to create an amazing multi-level home into rock. Especially when you consider it is built into a massive, soaring limestone cliff!
It is easy to see why the Sinagua chose the location to build with a river nearby. Rivers are hard to come by in this region!
To see it in person really made us realize how much of an architectural marvel it was to create some 600 to 800 years ago.
Taking In Sunny Phoenix, And A Hike We Won’t Soon Forget!
If you have followed our journey, you know that we both love to hike. Luckily, there are some really great trails right around the Phoenix area we could take advantage of.
It just so happens, that on this leg of the trip, we had our son Wes with us for a few days. And he loves to hike as well.
The hike had a bit of altitude and steep paths, but the views were amazing.
For some yet unknown reason, we thought it would be great idea to let him choose our hike for the day. Maybe that was a little bit of a mistake, at least for our legs!
At 22, Wes loves to take on some great hiking challenges. And of course, is in just a bit more shape to do these said hikes.
So there we were, on Piestewa Peak Summit trail, trying to keep up with someone that is less than half our age. Perhaps the funniest part of the hike was that he did not want to show us the route or elevations on his phone tracker.
It seemed like every time we would reach a summit, there was another one lurking ahead.
He would just occasionally tell us that we were doing well, and only had “one more” summit to climb before it was “all down hill” from there. Of course, we heard that a few times!
The real key is that we pulled through, and somehow managed to survive the hike. All kidding aside, it was an incredible day to spend hiking with him, and enjoy all sunny Phoenix has to offer.
It won’t be long we will be leaving Arizona to head to New Mexico!
Happy Traveling – Jim and Mary
Trip Stats To Date
Day 101 of 365
States : 13 / 50
National Parks / Monuments : 15
Stayed In : Phoenix, Arizona
Miles Driven : 109.2
Total Trip Miles To Date : 10,698.1
Total Gallons Used : 786.625
Biking Miles : 0.0
Biking Miles To Date : 142.5
Hiking Miles : 6.5
Hiking Miles To Date : 246.3
About Our Living Simple Tour
On September 9th, 2019, we set out in our NuCamp T@B 400 Teardrop Camper to travel to every state. You can check out all of our dates here : Dates for the States
Today we are celebrating 100 days on the road! We can’t believe that we have been gone for over 3 months and are now visiting our 13th state!
So for today’s update, we will share a few pictures from each state, in chronological order, from our trip so far.
Nebraska
In the middle of Lincoln, Nebraska sits Sunken Gardens. A beautiful annual garden filled with more than 10,000 flowers planted by volunteers. One of our first hikes was to Scott’s Bluff on the western edge of Nebraska.
South Dakota
Within miles of getting into South Dakota we ran into a real roadside Rodeo. And we couldn’t resist getting a picture with a cowgirl posing in front of our camper. No trip to South Dakota would be complete without a visit to Mount Rushmore. Our first National Park was the Badlands in South Dakota. Absolutely stunning views wherever you looked.
North Dakota
Spending a day in Minot, North Dakota with some Vikings at the Norsk Hostfest. A tribute to Teddy Roosevelt in Medora, ND gave us a reminder of the impact that he had on preserving our beautiful nation.
Montana
While in Billings, Montana, we took some time to hike the Rim Rocks which gave you stunning views of the town below. We simply enjoyed the peace and serenity on the banks of the Yellowstone River.
Wyoming
The views in Yellowstone National Park did not disappoint! The stopped at the world’s largest hot spring and sat in a hot spring water bath for the very first time.
Colorado
We made it to the top of Pike’s Peak. Even though we may have had wobbly legs, we were able to walk the entire summit to enjoy the breathtaking views. One of the best things about this trip is the opportunity to stay at some really neat places. Like this Alpaca farm in Colorado. And this photo says it all!
Utah
We headed tp Arches National Park in Utah and saw the skyview arch and many others as we drove and hiked the park. Canyonlands National Park was absolutely breathtaking and we have determined that it’s nickname should be “the red rock Grand Canyon”.
Idaho
Shoshone Falls in Idaho was gorgeous and we can only imagine what it would be like in the Spring. We stopped along the Snake River in central Idaho to spend the night in nature.
Washington
Our first stop in Washington was Snoqualmie Falls, the famous waterfall from the television show Twin Peaks. As we were on a whale watching tour, we had the chance to see both Orca and Humpback whales. On November 7th we reached the Pacific Ocean and drove our truck and camper on Long Beach.
Oregon
Silver Falls State Park in Oregon was the best hike yet! You can see 10 waterfalls within a 7 mile hike. Bullards Beach Lighthouse in Southern Oregon.
California
As you can see, it was a tight fit but we made the drive through. This is one of only 3 Redwood trees that you can actually drive your car through. Glass Beach in Fort Bragg, California. When the tide rolls out, you can search the beach for the sea glass. The lighting was a bit dark, so it turned out a bit blurry, but this will remain one of our favorite nights of the trip! An evening with Chef Michael Chiarello.
On our way to San Francisco we made sure we were able to take the route that lead us over the Golden Gate Bridge.
Nevada
The view from the Hoover Dam allows you to get a fantastic view of the Memorial Bridge that spans over the Colorado River. The fountain show at Bellagio is a sight to see. Watching it brought back some great memories from our wedding there.
Arizona
The sunset in the Sonora Desert – a beautiful Arizona sight that everyone should see.
Happy Traveling – Jim and Mary.
Day 100 of 365
States : 13 / 50
National Parks / Monuments : 14
Stayed In : Phoenix, Arizona
Miles Driven : 213.8
Total Trip Miles To Date : 10575.2
Total Gallons Used : 777.59
Biking Miles : 0.0
Biking Miles To Date : 142.5
Hiking Miles : 8.3
Hiking Miles To Date : 239.8
About Our Living Simple Tour
On September 9th, 2019, we set out in our NuCamp T@B 400 Teardrop Camper to travel to every state. You can check out all of our dates here : Dates for the States
Day 99 had us heading out of Nevada and into Arizona, right through the arid landscape of the Sonora Desert.
We have been fortunate enough to see nearly every type of landscape in our first 99 days on the road. Mountains, badlands, oceans, farmlands, forests, lakes, rivers, prairies – and even a rain forest in northern Oregon.
And no matter where we go, there is always something magnificent to see. And that certainly includes the desert of Sonora!
As we left Nevada, we had to cross over the Memorial Bridge at Hoover Dam. It made for a great stop to get a picture with the camper.
The Sonora covers a huge swath of land in the southwest. It reaches from the southeast edge of California, all the way through Arizona and deep into Mexico.
And with over 100,000 square miles and 2000+ types of plants, it is filled with life.
As we rolled through, we were amazed at how much there really is to see. The wide open skies serve as an incredible backdrop to the rich and surprisingly stunning landscape.
The beauty of the Sonora Desert.
Rock cropping appear out of nowhere. And of course, there are those beautiful Saguaro Cacti.
The Sonora Desert’s Saguaro Cactus
The Sonora Desert is probably most known for it’s famous cactus, the Saguaro. They are actually exclusive to the Sonora.
Probably most well known as the cactus on the Tombstone Pizza package, the Saguaro is simply majestic. This species of cacti can live to be 200 years old, and can grow as many as 20 “arms” or more from their main column. And do they ever grow slow!
The Saguaro has a beauty all to it’s own.
Although they can grow to 40 feet or more, it can take a Saguaro seven to ten years to grow to just 2″ tall. We were both surprised at just how numerous they are throughout the desert.
The cacti made for some pretty stunning pictures as the sun set off to the west. Just one more beautiful landscape to log into our mental memory books.
One of my favorite photos of the day, this was taken ri
As for the next few days, there will be plenty of hiking, biking and sightseeing in the sunny skies of Arizona.
But with reports back home of a few inches of snow on the ground, I would say we are more than okay with that! 🙂
Happy Traveling – Jim and Mary.
Day 99 of 365
States : 13 / 50
National Parks / Monuments : 14
Stayed In : Phoenix, Arizona
Miles Driven : 309.6
Total Trip Miles To Date : 10361.4
Total Gallons Used : 767.51
Biking Miles : 0.0
Biking Miles To Date : 142.5
Hiking Miles : 2.5
Hiking Miles To Date : 231.5
About Our Living Simple Tour
On September 9th, 2019, we set out in our NuCamp T@B 400 Teardrop Camper to travel to every state. You can check out all of our dates here : Dates for the States
Spending time with family is something we have always cherished.
Whether we are hanging out at home with our adult children watching our favorite sports team play on television, or attending a holiday event with our extended families, we realize that each and every one of these moments are truly special.
In fact, like many of you, the only thing that we ever ‘ask’ for at Christmas is to spend quality time with our loved ones.
The camper with the Welcome To Las Vegas sign.
And now that we have been away from our family for over 3 months, we were ready to spend some much-needed quality time with them.
And this week, we had our first family member visit us while we are on our 1 year journey across the country.
Our First Chance To Spend Time With Immediate Family
On Thursday we had the chance to have both lunch and dinner with Bob, Jim’s brother. He flew out to Las Vegas to not only meet up with us, but also to celebrate his birthday.
Jim and Bob taking a minute to call Mom so they could talk to her together.
It was fantastic to see him and to get caught up on what was happening back at home. We enjoyed a slow, leisurely lunch, laughing and sharing stories.
Then we met him again later that evening for dinner and to celebrate his birthday. Finally we capped off our first night spending time with family by attending a Comedy Show at the MGM Grand.
What a fun night it was! But lucky for us, there was more to come.
On Friday, we convinced Bob to go hiking with us at Red Rock Canyon. I think all 3 of us enjoyed the afternoon hiking up the red rocks enjoying the views and working off the meal that we ate the night before.
Bob decided to join us off the strip for some hiking at Red Rock National Recreation Area. Here he sits for a minute to take in the magnificent views!
After a day spent together exploring life off the strip, it was time to say our goodbyes.
Although it was hard, we knew that we would be talking to him again soon, and eventually see him again when we make our way back to Ohio.
And lucky for us, we had a second family member coming to visit the very next day!
The First Visit From One Of Our Children
Many months ago, when we knew that this trip was truly going to happen, we made a deal with our kids.
We would fly each one of them out to meet us somewhere on our trip. With their very busy schedules, they were to let us know which state that would work best for them to come and visit.
Our first visit from one of our children. Wes joined us in Las Vegas and will head to Phoenix with us later this week.
Some visits might last up to a week, and others may be closer to a long weekend getaway.
Whatever state they would choose, we would make it work. But the funny thing is, they all chose Hawaii!
We quickly clarified, that the visit must occur within the continental 48 states.
And this week, our first visit came from Wes. He is a Senior at Ohio State University and just finished his semester finals and started his Christmas break.
Wes was amazed at the beauty of the architecture and designs in Vegas, and especially in Caesars Palace.
He flew into Las Vegas for the very first time on Saturday. We met him at the airport and I am sure it was longest and hardest hug he has had in a long time.
An Unexpected Gift From Home
Before we headed out for the evening, he had a little surprise for us. He bought us a gift from one of our favorite local restaurants, roasted cashews.
He knows that Tom’s Ice Cream Bowl is one of our favorite places to get not only ice cream, but hot, roasted nuts as well. And to have a little taste of home while we are thousands of miles away was incredible!
Tom’s Ice Cream Bowl has some of the best roasted cashews and we were so happy Wes brought us some to enjoy!
After an eye-opening visit along the strip, a ride on a roller coaster, and multiple strolls through various stores, we finally had a chance to catch up.
Although we talk to him a few times per week, there is nothing like having a conversation in person. It’s amazing how much more emotion you can see and feel when you can watch someone’s body language.
With walking over 35,000 steps today, it was time to treat him to a delicious Vegas style buffet!
This was Wes’ first trip to Las Vegas, and of course in the casinos.
What a wonderful week it has been spending time with family! Lucky for us, Wes will be with us as we move on to our next state, Arizona. He will hang out with us for a few more days before heading back to Ohio.
And with a 5 hour drive ahead of us as we head towards Phoenix, we will have plenty of time to talk, reminiscence, and probably drive him crazy!
Here is to spending time with family, and loving it!!!
Happy Traveling! Jim and Mary
CURRENT TRIP STATS
Day 98 of 365
States : 12 / 50
National Parks / Monuments : 14
Stayed In : Las Vegas, Nevada
Miles Driven : 0
Total Trip Miles To Date : 10051.8
Total Gallons Used : 742.36
Biking Miles : 0.0
Biking Miles To Date : 142.5
Hiking Miles : 12.7
Hiking Miles To Date : 228.5
About Our Living Simple Tour
On September 9th, 2019, we set out in our NuCamp T@B 400 Teardrop Camper to travel to every state. You can check out all of our dates here : Dates for the States
Our time in Nevada has been filled with mountains, hiking and sightseeing, – but it just wouldn’t have been complete without spending a day on the craziness that is the Vegas Strip.
And, while at it, revisiting the very spot we were married at Bellagio.
There is nothing quite like the bright lights of Las Vegas. Especially when it comes to walking down Las Vegas Boulevard.
I think the thing that always strikes us both is just how far it is to walk to each building on the strip. The structures are all so massive, and it seems they are so close to one another.
But then you walk. And you realize that it takes a really long time to get from building to building!
We spent the day walking everywhere on the strip. One of our favorite things to do while there is stroll through interior “streets” of Caesars Palace and the Venetian. The painted ceilings are simply amazing.
One thing if for sure, by the end of the evening, our legs and feet were exhausted. To the tune of 32,000+ steps according to Mary’s health tracker on her phone.
A Visit To Our Wedding Spot – The Fountains Of Bellagio
For those that don’t know, Mary and I were married in Las Vegas. Right in the center overlook patio, peering out at the famous fountains of Bellagio.
And standing there watching the magical display tonight, it got us talking about one of the funnier stories from that special day.
The fountain show at Bellagio is a sight to see. Watching it tonight brought back some great memories from our wedding there.
A few hours before getting married, someone had told us you could actually pick your song for your wedding time at the fountain. But of course, with a fee.
But when told that supposed “fee” was in the thousands, we decided most definitely to take our chance at whatever song came up!
As we were next in line, the couple before us had the great fortune of being married to a rock song with anything but “marriage-like” lyrics. I could only imagine what it was going to be for us.
One of my favorite photos from our wedding night back in 2012. These characters just happened by, making for a perfect impromptu photo.
But as luck would have it, as we walked up to the fountains for our moment, not only did the water show begin, but the theme song from Titanic came on.
It honestly couldn’t have been any better if we had paid the fee!
As we often say, always good to have a little luck on your side. Especially when in Vegas on the strip! Happy Traveling – Jim and Mary
CURRENT TRIP STATS
Day 97 of 365
States : 12 / 50
National Parks / Monuments : 14
Stayed In : Las Vegas, Nevada
Miles Driven : 30.0
Total Trip Miles To Date : 10051.8
Total Gallons Used : 742.36
Biking Miles : 0.0
Biking Miles To Date : 142.5
Hiking Miles : 5.3
Hiking Miles To Date : 215.8
About Our Living Simple Tour
On September 9th, 2019, we set out in our NuCamp T@B 400 Teardrop Camper to travel to every state. You can check out all of our dates here : Dates for the States
Today we had another opportunity to use our America The Beautiful Pass. If you are not familiar with that term, you might recognize it the ‘National Parks Pass’.
We were headed to Red Rock National Canyon just outside of Las Vegas, Nevada.
And even though it is not considered an official National Park, it is a National Conservation Area. And yes, the America The Beautiful Pass will get you in the gates for FREE!
2000+ Parks Where Admission is FREE…
Although Red Rock Canyon is not a national park, your pass will still allow you to get in for FREE!
We first bought our pass way back on the second week of our trip. We were entering The Badlands National Park in South Dakota.
It was going to cost us $25 to drive through the area. So instead, we decided to spend the $80 to buy an annual National Parks Pass.
And we are both so happy that we did! Since then we have used our park pass in just about every state that we have visited. Which in turn, has saved us hundreds of dollars.
As we were buying our pass at the Ranger Station in Badlands, a bison was standing right next to our car, welcoming us!
In addition to the Badlands we have visited both popular, and lesser known parks, recreation areas and monuments where our pass gets us in for free.
From the Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota, Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Nevada, to the famous Rocky Mountain, Yellowstone, and Yosemite National Parks, we have had a chance to visit them all without paying an additional penny.
Once we arrived to Yellowstone National Park, the snow on the mountains was thicker. This made the pine trees look even more majestic along the banks of the lake, which again, was clear as clear could be.
And if you qualify as a Senior at the age of 62+, an active military personnel, or have a permanent disability, you can receive a significant discount or even a FREE America The Beautiful pass!
America The Beautiful Pass Gift Option
So this year, when you are thinking of giving or asking for a gift, you might want to consider the National Parks Pass.
First of all, the cost of the pass helps to support the preservation of our National Parks System. With the admission cost, you are directly providing additional funding to keep these parks beautiful and open for generations.
Without the purchase of the American The Beautiful Pass, we probably wouldn’t have seen these amazing Petroglyphs that are preserved in Red Rock Canyon.
Second, who wouldn’t appreciate a gift that gives you unlimited opportunities for experiences and memories.
I know for us, and for many others, once you visit one of the America The Beautiful Parks, you will never forget the visit!
Plus, with over 2000+ parks on the free admission list, there is something for everyone to enjoy!
We had never heard of Arches National Park in Moab, Utah and now it has become one of our favorite National Parks that we will remember forever!
Gift Card Option
And just in case you are wondering if the person that you are thinking of might already have a pass, or is a Senior, there is another option.
You can buy them a America The Beautiful Parks Pass Gift Card. When they are ready to renew, or if they want to purchase something in the gift shop, they can use the gift card!
And no, we don’t get a kickback from the National Parks for writing this recommendation.
Although not a National Park, we were able to gain free admission to the Golden Spike National Historical Park as well! Here we laid the commemorative ‘Golden Spike’ to connection the first transcontinental railroad.
It is gift that we had never considered giving before this trip. And since we now have had the opportunity to use it, we strongly believe in the value of the pass.
So here is to supporting and benefiting from our National Parks, Monuments and Recreation Areas!
Here is a link to purchase a pass or gift card online: USParksPass
Happy Traveling! Jim and Mary
CURRENT TRIP STATS
Day 96 of 365
States : 12 / 50
National Parks / Monuments : 14
Stayed In : Las Vegas, Nevada
Miles Driven : 92.7
Total Trip Miles To Date : 10021.8
Total Gallons Used : 742.36
Biking Miles : 0.0
Biking Miles To Date : 142.5
Hiking Miles : 3.2
Hiking Miles To Date : 210.55
About Our Living Simple Tour
On September 9th, 2019, we set out in our NuCamp T@B 400 Teardrop Camper to travel to every state. You can check out all of our dates here : Dates for the States
A few days back, we certainly had no idea we would have the opportunity to visit a Las Vegas neighborhood mini-farm. Even better, get to meet and make two wonderful new friends in the process.
But that is exactly what happened as we rolled through Nevada the past few days.
And quite honestly, it is the unexpected treasures we find and the new people we meet along the way that really do make this trip everything we thought it would be!
A Chance Encounter On The Road With The Gonzalez Family
Whenever we are traveling with the camper in tow, it’s not too uncommon to get a few strange looks. After all, the teardrop design and colorful wrap do tend to stick out a bit!
No matter where we travel, the trailer does tend to stick out.
We had just crossed the California border, and were about to head into the Las Vegas area. All of course to get a photo of the truck and trailer with the famous “Welcome To Las Vegas” sign!
And so it was when the Gonzalez family gave a honk and a wave as we traveled along Interstate 15. As they drove by, the couple rolled down their window and gave us a big thumbs up sign.
It is something that whenever it happens, always brings a big smile to our face. But then the story grew from there.
What a wonderful evening we had meeting Alex and Melissa Gonzalez. Their mini farm is complete with chickens and baby goats!
A few hours later, we received a wonderful email from the couple. In short, simply saying they loved the story of our trip. And, in similar fashion, had a mini-farm of their own, right in the Las Vegas area!
They finished the email by graciously offering a tour if we had any time during our stay.
The family dog was also smitten by the new addition of the baby goats to the farm.
There was just no way we could pass up seeing a mini-farm in the middle of Vegas. Especially one that had a chicken coop and miniature goats!
The Gonzalez Mini Farm
And so it was that we took a little road trip to meet one of the most genuine and wonderful couples around, Alex & Melissa Gonzalez.
I can’t begin to tell you what an amazing evening we had. There, smack in the middle of a wonderful neighborhood, was Melissa & Alex’s beautiful little mini-farm.
As we talked with the chickens roaming around, it brought back memories of our own little farm back in Ohio.
We talked about everything from chickens & goats, to following dreams and everything in between.
It brought back so many memories of building our own little farm. Right down to even raising a new batch of baby chicks in the garage. And those baby goats – simply adorable! If you don’t believe us, just watch this little nine second clip of them below 🙂
Definitely going to have to get a few of those for the farm when we get back! (By the way, Melissa just started her own Instagram about the farm, so you can follow and see more here : https://www.instagram.com/farmsteadgonzalezlasvegas/ )
One thing is for sure, it never ceases to amaze us how many wonderful people there are in this beautiful country. This trip certainly continues to teach us that every single day.
Some farm fresh eggs – certainly a welcome sight on the road for us!
As we left for the evening, the Gonzalez family even sent us away with some farm fresh eggs. Now that is a taste of home we won’t soon forget!
Happy Traveling! Jim and Mary
CURRENT TRIP STATS
Day 95 of 365
States : 12 / 50
National Parks / Monuments : 14
Stayed In : Las Vegas, Nevada
Miles Driven : 27.3
Total Trip Miles To Date : 9929.1
Total Gallons Used : 740.98
Biking Miles : 0.0
Biking Miles To Date : 142.5
Hiking Miles : 2.5
Hiking Miles To Date : 207.35
About Our Living Simple Tour
On September 9th, 2019, we set out in our NuCamp T@B 400 Teardrop Camper to travel to every state. You can check out all of our dates here : Dates for the States
