We Got Off The Strip!

It looks like this blog has ended before it could really get going! We moved away from Las Vegas, so it looks like we'll put this blog on hold for a while. We've moved to and from Las Vegas a couple times already, so you never know, we just might be back someday.

In case we don't get to write any more of these posts, please take this advice: Las Vegas is a great place to visit. The casinos have some great entertainment, but there a LOT more things to see all over Southern Nevada. All you have to do is Get Off The Strip!

Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort

This past weekend we made our way to the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort. Our whole family had been there before, but not together. A few years ago DeEllen had taken the kids with a group of home-schoolers, and I went there with a friend that was visiting from out of town.

The first flag that flew in Las Vegas.

We figured it was time we visited the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort as a family. On our way there, DeEllen noted that this was going to be our first "real" family outing we could write about on this blog, and we were going to the place where Las Vegas started. I thought that was a great observation. I wish we had planned it that way!

For those that don't know, the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort was built in 1855 and it was the first settlement in the Las Vegas valley by non-native people. It is located at the corner of Las Vegas Blvd. and Washington Ave. The fort today is owned and operated by the Nevada Division of State Parks. 

There is a portion of the original wall still standing today, and other parts of the fort have been reconstructed. Along with the walls, a ranch house that was built on part of the foundation in 1865 is still standing. Inside the ranch house are several displays and photos depicting life in the Las Vegas Valley in the late 1800's. Along with the history of the fort itself, you can also learn about the history of early Southern Nevada. There is a short film you can watch in the visitor center, and there are several more displays, photos, etc...

I won't tell anymore of the history of the fort, I encourage you to go and visit in person! Here is a link to the website: http://www.parks.nv.gov/olvmf.htm

By the way, one of the best things about visiting the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort is the cost, it's only $1.00 for adults and kids under 12 are free! So, if you're looking for something fun to do with your family that won't cost a lot, GET OFF THE STRIP! ...and go to the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort.

The Family That Shoots Together...

The view from "Base Camp"

We got off the strip today and took the kids out shooting. We went with three other families out to a safe place where it is LEGAL to shoot. We drove North on I-15 to the US93 turnoff. From there we drove about 8 or 9 miles then left the pavement. Once we were on the dirt road we only drove about 5 minutes and found a nice place to stop and set up a "camp". I have to say, we had a great time! There were about 20 people there, including all the kids.

Before we started shooting, we got everyone together and had a talk about shooting safety, just so everyone was one the "same page". That was a smart thing to do... we didn't have a single instance of anyone "breaking the rules" and no one was put in any danger.

Sarah shooting the BB gun

 Sarah stuck to the BB gun this time. I think next time we'll get her to shoot the 22's a few times.

John shooting an FN Five-seveN Series Handgun

 John loved shooting the hand guns.












 After we shot for a couple hours, we took a short break and the kids looked for Easter eggs. It was a great time!

Hunting Easter Eggs!

The best part of the day was just spending time together as a family and with friends.

For the most part this little excursion cost more than we like to spend on day trips, but once in a while I think it's ok to spend a little extra cash. We took four cooked chickens from Smith's as our part of the "Pot Luck" lunch, and those cost about $20.00 total. We took some bottles of water and few other little snacks that set us back another $10.00 or so, and then there was the ammo. The ammo was a little expensive. I don't know exactly what we spent, so I won't include that this time. But overall for less than $100 we had a great time with our great family and some great friends.

And best of all, WE GOT OFF THE STRIP!

What to do? What to Do?

When you don't live in Las Vegas, sometimes it seems like all there is here is Casinos. Not true. There are MANY things to do that won't have you sitting in front of a slot machine for hours on end.

Before moving here in 1989, I visited Las Vegas at least twice every year since I was born. My family on my Mother's side has lived here since the late 1930's, so coming to Las Vegas wasn't a trip to see the bright lights of the strip, it was a visit to Nana's (Grandma's) house. In fact, we rarely went to casinos except to eat at a restaurant or buffet.

We did stuff out of the casinos and off the strip. We went to Lake Mead to feed the fish. We went to Red Rock to *feed apples to the wild burros. We went to Mount Charleston and the Valley of Fire.

In other than words, we GOT OFF THE STRIP!

In the coming weeks and months we plan on visiting these and other places with our family. We will take take lots of pictures and share them here with you! We want to show there are lots of things to do, especially with families, if you Get Off the Strip!

*Feeding the wild burros is now illegal and we do not feed them anymore! We do not recommend you feed the wild burros!