Happy Travels: Las Vegas: A High School Reunion and Sidetrips Outside of the Strip

Back in November 2012, our high school class met in Las Vegas, Nevada to celebrate our batch's 19th anniversary. Yes, oh how time flies. I can hardly believe that it has been so long since we left St. Scholastica's Academy to pursue college. But it was such a welcome event to rekindle old friendships and catch up with old friends. Of course no reunion will be complete without looking at old photos and trying to guess who is who in our childhood photos.

As my husband and I were planning our trip to Las Vegas, we both decided that to make this trip different, we will visit areas outside of the strip. The trip was also nostalgic for us since this was the first time we will be visiting Las Vegas after our beloved Lola passed away. Lola brought us to Las Vegas for our very first trip to this oasis and boy did we miss her during this trip.

Our trip brought us first to Hoover Dam. Once known as the Boulder Dam. It was our first trip to this magnificent civil engineering feat. My husband being a civil engineer was in awe. I was thinking of all the environmental issues related to it but don't get me wrong, I had a grand time identifying assets and pretending I had to do a fixed assets survey for Hover Dam. The most fun I had in Hoover Dam was crossing the Nevada - Arizona border and gaining/losing one hour every time. (Disclaimer: as an only child, I can easily amuse myself).

Aside from doing a side trip to Hover Dam, we also took a side trip to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area - which is around 20 minutes away from the hustle and bustle of the strip. The day we visited the canyon, the temperature had dropped to below freezing and the night before there was snow. In some areas in the canyon, snow was still on the ground. Seeing snow on an otherwise dessert environment was so spectacular for me. I was disappointed though that we didn't see any wildlife. The magnificent colors of the rocks more than made up for the cold, shivering weather and the lack of wildlife.

Aside from attending my high school reunion at Wicked Spoon, I also had the opportunity to celebrate my birthday with my cousin and his friend at Stratosphere. We had a good time talking and catching up and reminiscing our childhood. Dinner on our last night was spent with an old friend and her family. It was a lovely evening meeting her daughter and husband and her parents. My husband and I ended the night with a stroll along the strip and enjoyed ice cream at the Palazzo.

We have often heard that there is so much more to Las Vegas than the strip. If you would like to see something different, a side trip to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Hoover Dam and other natural parks, etc. in the vicinity is highly recommended. Of course, one's first trip to Las Vegas will not be complete without a visit to the casinos, numerous buffets and restaurants, and a stroll along the strip.