Weekend in Vegas
Las Vegas. An interesting town. We stayed in a downtown hotel, with a view of Fremont Street. Beyond The Strip and all the marquee lights, Vegas seems like a seedy place. An interesting thrill for a couple of days, but not somewhere we'd want to live. Not sure what was more entertaining: the various theme casinos along The Strip, or the view while taking the bus from downtown. Bailbonds, pawn shops, wedding chapels, tatoo/piercing parlors and motels, all strung along for a mile or more. You could get out of jail, get your sweetheart a slightly used ring, marry her and get her name tattooed on your arm, and have your honeymoon--- all on the same block!
However, the museums are worth the visit. Although small and a bit pricey, we had the chance to get up close and admire the Monets at the Bellagio, and Egyptian antiquities at the Venetian. And Cirque du Soleil--amazing! We saw Mystère, but we almost wish we'd gotten tickets to one of the other shows for a different night. We highly recommend the show. Below are some photos that make us chuckle. They're Vegas hotel scenes, but we saw the real sites later in the year in Italy!		The Fremont Street Experience

"Venice" (in front of the Venetian)

Replica of the Trevi Fountain at Caesars

The Pilgrimage
But the real thrill was the adventure Diane has been planning for years: Star Trek, The Experience. The Hilton has a permanent "museum", including exhibits of clothes and devices, a complete timeline covering all series and movies, promenade shops, Quark's bar and restaurant, and two simulation rides. The Borg 4D "ride" is interesting, but the Klingon Invasion ride is awesome. Part of it you spend running through the Enterprise 1701D (The Next Generation version,) from the transporter room through the circular halls to the bridge.		The entrance to The Experience

Here's some photos of Bob and his pals hangin' out at Quarks. (He's getting a bit friendly with the Klingon babe.)
Bob and Quan		Bob and Major Kahlen

A bottle of the former contraband, blue ale

Photo at left: Romulan Ale. Yes, we know that Romulan Ale was illegal in the Federation for many years. But for you Trekkies who know your history, even Admiral Ross imbibed when he visited Romulus from Deep Space Nine. Now that the Dominion war is over, you can buy the blue beverage on the Promenade. We brought some home with us (although we never checked the Washington State liquor laws. Hmmm...not sure what they say about intergallactic imports.)

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