Desert Snow

A lot was going on this weekend. On Friday, we have spent a nice evening on the Las Vegas Strip which included meeting some friends, having dinner and a few drinks. Ultimately, we ended up staying until the wee hours of Saturday morning. Something we rarely do. One will see the most curious people out and about in the casinos and on the Strip around 3 a.m.

The view of the Las Vegas Strip from the MGM Grand’s Signature Towers around 2 o’clock in the morning. Still lively and sparkly. Las Vegas truly is a city that never sleeps.

Despite our long night out on the Strip we got up fairly early on Saturday morning. But we couldn’t believe what we were seeing when we looked out the window. It was snowing. Were we still dreaming? Nope, there was actual snow falling in Las Vegas. In the desert. In April.

There’s a German saying: “April, April, der weiß nicht was er will” (April does not know what it wants). It basically means that weather wise anything and everything is possible in the month of April. Which is more than true for German weather during April. However, in the Mohave Desert it’s usually already nice and quite warm this time around.

And while the rest of Saturday was turning out to be a rather cold and dreary looking day weather wise, it would eventually turn into a rather inspiring and entertaining day cultural wise. That evening, George and I went to the Las Vegas Academy Theater to see “Dream.” It was a new play with music, loosely based on Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The metaphors of the current happenings in politics and society of today’s America were just gushing throughout the whole play. It was a very clever and well executed piece of theater.

An ad for “Dream,” the play we saw at the Las Vegas Academy Theater.

We were planning to check out a new bar but had it call it quits after the theater as we were just simply spent from the night before.

Sunday was spent rather leisurely. I suppose we needed to recuperate from all the excitement. Except for our walk in the park, some household chores and a little cooking it was a beautiful and quiet day.

First snow, then blooming cacti...just another day in Las Vegas. We saw many of these cacti at Pueblo Park in Summerlin.

I wonder what next weekend will have in store for us. Only four and half days to go to find out.

When It Rains It Pours...

The weekend before last we spent in Los Angeles again. We had theater tickets for Saturday evening to see the musical stage version of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” at the Pantages in Hollywood.

It was also planned to meet up George’s brother Thomas on Sunday to spend the day at Six Flag’s Magic Mountain. Well, that plan fell through as Southern California happened to experience record rainfalls that day and the next.

Instead of riding some of the fastest and most insane roller coasters in the world we decided to take in some culture. The three of us braved torrential rains and gusty winds and drove into downtown L.A. to see and hear a live orchestra perform at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Having always marveled at this architectural masterpiece by Frank Gehry, we have been planning to see a symphonic concert there for years.

This particular Sunday afternoon the Los Angeles Philharmonic would be playing symphonies by Mozart and Beethoven, directed by their star conductor Gustavo Dudamel. Guest pianist Jeremy Denk accompanied the orchestra. It was quite an astounding recital and was well received by the audience.

A concert review by the Los Angeles Times can be found here.

Afterwards we thought we would visit the huge L.A. Live entertainment complex but continuing rains and winds, along with ridiculously high parking fees, put a damper on this plan. So we ended up driving back to the Pasadena area, where George and Thomas grew up, and have dinner at a traditional local staple, the Clearman’s North Woods Inn restaurant. The two brother’s reminisced childhood memories while all of us enjoyed a delicious and hearty dinner.

The next day, we stocked up on our beloved Peet’s Coffee at their coffee house on Lake Avenue before heading back home to Las Vegas. Just as we entered the I-210 freeway, the floodgates in the dark clouds opened and a deluge of water came crushing down. It was raining so hard that I could barely see the car in front of me. At times, the winds were again so strong that it felt like we would be blown off the road. But as soon as we’ve reached the high desert the rain would subside and eventually stop. We made it back to Las Vegas without further delays or disturbances.

Although it was a rather wet weekend we still had tons of fun. Come rain or shine, we always seem to have a grand time in the City of Angels. And it looks like we’ll be back again sometime in April.

We still need to cash in those rainchecks for Magic Mountain. We’ll ride those darn roller coasters yet...

These palm trees just scream L.A.

On Hillhurst Avenue in Los Feliz, after we had the most scrumptious dinner at the Alcove. The blackened salmon I had was out of this world. We love that place.

The main reason for our trip to L.A. this time. George has never seen "Beauty and the Beast" before and I'm up for any opportunity to go back to the Pantages again. I love this theater.

Starstruck in Hollywood? George admiring some of the architecture along Hollywood Blvd.

Hollywood Boulevard at Vine Street, with the Hollywood sign on top of Mt. Lee in the background.

This is actually a relatively new neon sign but I love the retro feel of it.

This is one of the most famous murals that can be found in many of the side streets off Hollywood Boulevard. This particular one has been featured in countless magazines and is described in every imaginable travel guide and photo book published around the world.

The entrance of the relatively new W Hotel in Hollywood, right across the Pantages Theatre.

What would Hollywood be without a grand staircase? Inside the lobby of the W Hotel in Hollywood.

The lobby area of the W Hotel.

The bar inside the lobby area of the W Hotel.

The neon marquee of the Egyptian Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard. This iconic movie palace from 1922 was recently renovated and is again open to the public.

The ornate chandelier inside the auditorium of the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. I love art deco and this theater is art deco in its purest form.

I took this photo of George right after the theater. It was a fabulous show.

I took this picture of the iconic Los Angeles city hall tower the next day. I love this photo. It was also rather hard to take photos with all this rain and strong winds. We actually enjoyed the rain since it basically never rains in Las Vegas. Angelinos didn't quite share our enthusiasm though.

The Dorothy Chandler Pavillion across from the Walt Disney Concert Hall. It's L.A.'s opera house, but many Academy Awards ceremonies were held here before the Oscars moved to its permanent home at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood just a few years ago.

The Frank Gehry designed Walt Disney Concert Hall is a true architectural masterpiece. That very morning we decided to see the L.A. Philharmonics, hoping to still get some tickets. Conducted by Gustavo Dudamel with guest pianist Jeremy Denk, they played Beethoven, Mozart and a little Charles Ives. An interesting mix.

Another exterior detail shot of the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Lots of wooden paneling inside the lobby areas of the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Indoor detail photo of the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Another interior detail shot of the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

The Walt Disney Concert Hall auditorium. We were lucky to find three seats together as the concert was nearly sold out.

A dark and rainy downtown Los Angeles. To the right is the Bonaventure Hotel with its massive atrium, which was used in countless movies. All of downtown has been used for films and TV shows for that matter.

The Simon brothers at Clearman's North Woods Inn in San Gabriel, an old restaurant that's been around for ages. George and Thomas had fun reminiscing the good old days.

George and I after having way too much food at the Clearman's North Woods Inn Restaurant. I think those cheese breads alone had over 10,000 calories, lol. But it was so good.

George and I stopped at Peet's in Pasadena on Lake Avenue to stock up on coffee for the next few weeks. A luxury we'll never let go. Here's George enjoying some freshly brewed Peet's coffee. It's just simply the best coffee around. I also found my new favorite pastry there, a Chocolate Cream Cheese Muffin. Yum!

Low clouds hanging over the San Gabriel Mountains, near George's old neighborhood. It's usually on the way and we almost always are getting gas here since it's one of the cheapest in the greater L.A. area. Pssst...don't tell anyone. ;) Besides, it is really beautiful here and always worth a stop. You should see it when it's warm and sunny.

On our drive through the Mojave Desert back to Las Vegas. While still in Los Angeles we were almost washed and blown off the 210 freeway. I thought the ocean was coming down. When it rains in California...it rains!!! Once in the high desert, we had snow, rain, sun and high winds. It's never boring along I-15.

Somewhere in the middle of the Mojave Desert, on the I-15 freeway. In the higher elevations it was snowing and some views of the mountains were just beautiful.

A Tale Of Sharks And Some Jets

George and I will drive to the City of Angels again tomorrow afternoon to spend another fun-filled weekend there.

Our primary reason to visit this time is to see this...

...at this wonderful gem on Hollywood Boulevard. We’ve seen a lot of great theater at the Pantages lately.

Along the way we will most likely get a glimpse of this skyline....

...but more than likely not since the weather forecast predicts a rainy weekend. Because you know...”it never rains in Southern California.”

However, it doesn’t matter how the weather might turn out to be because we will still have a great time. In addition to the theater we will visit friends and enjoy fabulous food.

Then we will return to Las Vegas for a short work week due the upcoming holidays and finally...finally!...some much needed vacation.

And another big adventure...

What A Circus!

On Friday evening we went to the Onyx Theatre to see “Mommie Queerest.” We haven’t laughed so hard in the longest time. My tear ducts are still recovering. If you want a truly good time and experience a whole new slapsticky twist to the campy 1981 movie “Mommie Dearest” with Faye Dunaway, you have to go and see this stage production. Gotta love those wire hangers.

Just when you thought camp like this couldn’t possibly be made even campier.

But how’s this for campy? On Saturday we saw Britney Spears at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. Yes...that Britney Spears. Never in a million years would I have even considered seeing her. Then one day George suggested we should go because they had reasonable tickets. And we should see her one last time before she ends up as some burned-out has-been on one of those crappy reality shows. So, why the heck not?

Her “The Circus” tour made a two night stop in Las Vegas and I have to admit that we both liked it. It was quite the spectacle. Clever in fact. The show, the acrobats and dancers, the costumes were really something to behold.




So did the Mistress of Ceremony, Ms. Spears herself, dare to actually sing live? What do you think?
No, of course not. Not one bit. Every song was lip synced and every one of her moves was robotically choreographed. She even had a double performing her part for the last bits of the “concert.” Not that it mattered anyway, because we expected as much and everyone around us was completely oblivious to that fact and really couldn’t care less. We didn’t regret going however. Despite some flaws we truly enjoyed this whole “circus” act.

Yesterday morning we decided to treat ourselves with a Shakshouka-style breakfast. Lots of fresh tomatoes, spicy herbs and eggs, nicely broiled and served over sourdough bread. Yum, yum and yum!

Otherwise we just messed about the house, the backyard, chatted with friends on web sites and on the phone and caught up on some television shows that we’ve taped over the last few days. We also worked out and did our usual walks and jogs through Pueblo Park. Most of the photos below are from our walk in the park yesterday early afternoon and what we usually see along the way.

All in all, another great weekend.

Yesterday morning started out with some Shaksouka

Later we walked in Pueblo Park, here is the section closest to West Lake Mead Boulevard

Along the Pueblo Park, with the Spring Mountain Range in the background

It rarely rains in Las Vegas, but when it does you don't want to be caught here during a flash flood. They can form within minutes and turn into a ravaging river.

More of the park

There are plenty of yuccas, ocotillos and other desert flora

The red rock, the only one in all of the park

There are also plenty of critters to observe. Squirrels, rabbits, tarantulas, snakes, bats...

And then there are these critters...

Still blooming, even in all this desert heat

There are lots of recreational facilities, barbeque areas and play grounds

The land of the free...with tons of regulations

The driveway to the parking lot from Lake Mead Boulevard

Afterwards we just had to reward ourselves. Marble cake with whipped topping and chocolate syrup. That's right, we live the good life!