A Report on a Return to Traveling in two parts: the trip and travel impressions.
Our recent trip to Las Vegas was our first plane trip since October 2019—for frequent fliers that’s a long time between trips. The trip to Vegas was a nervous trip because we had spent so much time trying to be careful and safe. All the data said we should be fairly safe, but the crowded airport and boarding line-up were a tad unsettling.
We felt a little better after the Southwest attendant unceremoniously told one passenger to pull his mask over his nose and he quickly complied. The preflight announcement reminded all of us that more than 30,000 passengers have been banned from flying in the US by the airline industry.
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| Worldmark Las Vegas Blvd |
Our lodgings for the six days were at Worldmark Las Vegas Blvd. (timeshare), a large resort facility. Contactless registration got us to our one bedroom apartment which was super clean.
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| Our Patio |
For the most part masks were worn and social distancing was observed by staff and guests. We had only two encounters with people without masks and they were either coming or going to a pool.
One of our biggest joys was eating again in restaurants. We had good experiences recently at the Oregon coast, but found Las Vegas dining to be less controlled in many cases with regard to social distancing. We ate mostly in casual diners—Black Bear Diner and The Omelet House were favorites.
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| Black Bear |
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| The Omelet House, Boulder Hwy |
The famous buffets are still closed and we didn’t opt for anything fancy, but we did visit other casino eateries such as Coronado Cafe at South Point and the Noodle House at Red Rock Casino.
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| Coronado Cafe, South Point Casino |
The casino restaurants had made only token efforts to space diners out, but did follow mask mandates. We got more comfortable with the situation as the week went along—possibly that’s not a good thing.
Although we did spent time in the casinos, they weren’t our main recreation. We played golf twice during our stay.
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| Wildhorse GC |
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| Desert Willow GC |
Golf has been a safe haven throughout COVID-times and it was also in Las Vegas. At Wildhorse GC and Desert Willow GC, both in Henderson, we were paired with locals who were interesting and friendly.
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| Playing Partners Dave and Nick, Desert Willow |
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| Golfers' Handshake, the Fistbump |
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| Starbucks Stop after Golf |
Even though quite warm, the Vegas golf was enjoyable.
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| Visitors' Center |
We also spent half a day at Red Rock National Conservation Area just east of Las Vegas. The rock formations
—colors and texture—
made good subjects for my cameras.
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| A Chucker |
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| Maybe a Climber Chuck |
I had also planned a morning at Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve, a 140-acre water reclamation area (nine ponds) with paths around the ponds.
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| Yellowheaded Blackbird |
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| Marsh Wren |
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| Ruddy Duck |
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| Tino the Tortoise, a Local Celebrity |
We saw a variety of wildlife including hawks, roadrunners, ducks, geese, small birds, and even a tortoise, but good photos were hard to come by—too hot. Our last outing was to be a day in the Valley of Fire State Park, but that day the temperature was a hundred in Vegas and hotter in the desert.
Much nicer to sit around the pools.
There are two special photo moments I’d like to share. First, on our approach into Vegas I got a good shot of the plane’s shadow on the ground.
And second, on our flight back to Oregon I photographed a Glory
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| Photo Not Enhanced |
—an atmospheric phenomenon where a shadow of an object is circled with a rainbow-like halo—hard to see and harder to photograph.
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| Back in Portland |
Now for some impressions and reflections:
Travel for me is possible, if…
* I am more than two weeks past my second shot,
* I am aware that a few won’t be concerned with others’ safety,
* I realize I have to adapt—can’t work in my favorite coffee shop, have to pay a reservation fee now where I didn’t before (Red Rock Park), wear my mask,
* Plan ahead more than usual,
* Learn to plan to do less than usual (learning my limits, or as Anne says, we’ve lived a very active life, and now we’re paying for it),
* No more air travel with golf bags—too heavy and awkward--glad I've got clubs in Scotland, and
* I make informed choices.
Next: I’ll be as surprised as you.
