Vegas! Part 1: Overview

I know "What happens in Vegas, stay in Vegas," but I'm going to share anyway. I was with a group of 2-6 people (total of 7 different persons) including myself for all of what I will describe here. Three of the people were locals (Air Force or dependants), and four (including me) had never been to Las Vegas before.

July 3rd, late afternoon: Flew in from SEA. Ate dinner at a Greek place, drove down Las Vegas Blvd.

Thoughts:
Middle of Nowhere, population 2,000,000, plus tourists.
Azel protect us, there are slot machines 20 feet from the gate.
Everything may be bigger in Texas, but EVERYTHING is bigger in Vegas.

July 4th (Independence Day!), morning: visited Red Rock National Park (gorgeous, but way too hot to hike in for long). Ate brunch at "Hash House a Go Go" (no, I'm not making that up) and had a Snicker's Pancake (a pancake about a foot in diameter, no I'm not kidding, with pieces of Snicker's Bar cooked in).
Afternoon: cooled off in a swimming pool.
Evening: BBQ and watched the fireworks at Nellis AFB. It was a mere 90 degrees outside.

Thoughts:
Zarth, 105 degrees in the SHADE?
Dear Azel do I miss being associated with the military. It really means more to toast to 'absent companions' with people who understand.
Must go to Red Rock again... when it is, oh, 80 degrees or so.
Why am I not surprised that the perimiter security at Nellis are contractors?

July 5th, morning/early afternoon: Window shopping at the Forum Shops (attached to Caesar's Palace). Exotic chocolate and good but overpriced gelato. Watched a guy tickle a ray (the fishy thing) under the chin.
Evening: Spamalot! Vorpal Bunny Slippers! The Lady of the Lake and her Laker Girls!

Thoughts:
FAO Shwartz is planning to attack someone with that 2.5 story tall Trojan Horse.
"Remember, what happens in Camelot stays in Camelot!"
[Sings] I'm not dead yet...

July 6th, morning: Valley of Fire(s?) State Park. I've never seen purple rock before, have you? Red rock, yellow rock, golden rock, brown rock, grey rock, black rock, yes, purple rock, no. The car tour was probably sufficient, though hiking/riding there would be fun to do when it is a lot cooler.
Evening: The Bellagio Fountain (watched two shows), amazing and fun. The chocolate artist (confectioner doesn't give the right impression) at the Bellagio. Fantastic and novel deserts and quite reasonably priced. And a chocolate waterfall. Did I mention the chocolate waterfall? The themed display in the main lobby was really nifty too; trains! Oh, and giant baby eaglets and lots of other stuff. Checked into the Luxor for one night (host had to work the next day, but I got a great deal - $65).

Thoughts:
At 110 degrees, it no longer matters that "its DRY heat!"
"If you maintain a pyramid properly it will last 6,000 years. Please excuse our appearance during construction."
MMM... chocolate art. I didn't know you could write on chocolate with edible ink.

July 7th, morning: attended a presentation on timesharing on Las Vegas Blvd. Didn't buy, but got some nice comps and free food.
Afternoon: The Star Trek Experience. I was kidnapped by aliens! Shot at! Tractor beamed! And... um... nothing to see, move along folks, just a weather balloon and some sunspots... :-)
Evening: Yes, I gambled in Vegas (roulette at the Luxor from one of the comps from the morning presentation; 22 Black never came up). Lost what I expected to loose, would like to try it with less of a rush next time. Got to the airport, and returned to SEA.

Thoughts:
Hotels on the Strip are designed so you have to go through/past the Casino to get to anything. Signs will lead you on the shortest path to your destination... that takes you through the casino. Security will direct you to your destination... by way of the casino. The buffet at the Luxor is good... its just past the casino.
The Monorail should run to the airport. No, really, its RIGHT NEXT TO the Strip, and maybe a mile from the current end of the line. The Monorail should GO TO THE AIRPORT. Yeesh. Some moving walkways in the airport terminal wouldn't be a bad idea either.
Live long, and prosper.