Chick update

I'm guessing we won't have too many more days before the baby Mourning Doves leave the nest. They're too big for June or Ward to sit on now and they no longer look like some primitive variety of teradactyl, just wee doves. I'm not sure what Gray will do for a hobby once they've fledged - probably go back to sleeping away his day.

The Cleaver family

Back on April 30th I noted in my blog that we had a mourning dove nesting above our front door. Well, time has passed, spring is moving on and we have two newly hatched chicks in residence. I was lucky enough to catch the two shots below during a feeding session. Why is there always an errant twig in the way?! That's nature for you.

We've named them the Cleavers, as in June, Ward, Wally and the Beave. Dad Ward faithfully relieves Mom June in the morning and she returns to the nest late afternoon for the remainder of the 24hour period.

This video was shot yesterday during meal time. I've learned at lot from The Cornell Lab of Ornithology about mourning doves, their mating and nesting habits and habitats. There's also an interesting article on the New Hampshire Public Radio site about how they feed their young with "milk".

A milestone in Vegas

When we started thinking about how to mark our 25th wedding anniversary on May 14th, Geoff said "how about Las Vegas?" Enroute to the very hot city we flew over the snow capped Rockies.I'd never been to Vegas and Geoff's visit 17 years ago was to a city that looked very different than it does today. Few of the current hotels existed in '91 and the ones that did have changed a lot. We talked with Lisa, our travel agent at Robert Q here in Woodstock and we decided on the MGM Grand. This modest kitty graces the lobby.

Not exactly a modest lobby, this is the registration desk.

I think it was rather appropriate that we met a newly married couple from Louisiana in the casino in the Grand our first evening there.
We also met with Sean, son of our friends Terry and Nancy. We had two cans of Quebec maple syrup for Sean from his parents and he had two tickets for Spamalot for us.
My first (but not last) go at the slots. The slots won.
Some geological trivia on the area: The valley is a broad sedimentary basin at the southern end of the Basin and Range tectonic province, composed primarily of alluvial deposits weathered out of the mountains that surround the valley. The valley is geographically bounded by the Spring Mountains and Red Rock Canyon to the west, Frenchman Mountain and Lake Mead to the east, the McCullough Range to the south, and the Sheep and Las Vegas ranges to the north. At least eight faults lie beneath the valley. The hills seem a little surreal in the desert light.

How many times have I seen this pose in the past 25 years?!
If you look carefully, you'll see Seigfried and Roy lurking in the shrubbery.
The interior of The Venetian - and a blurry tourist.
The phrase "Disneyland for adults" sure rings true.

Las Vegas - it's in the details

This you'd have to see to believe. What appears to be a photograph on the mirror over the bathroom vanity in our room, is actually a television. I kid you not. You can check out Al Roker and the weather while you dry your hair.
This modest set up is in the ladies restroom at the MGM Grand Casino. You can feel rich even if you're not winning at the slots.
This detail is from the covered driveway at Treasure Island.....just in case you look up as you're getting out of your limo.
In retrospect, this Tonga Toast from The Rainforest Cafe looks gross. Trust me when I say it didn't taste gross. Cinnamon French Toast with strawberries, banana and bacon. Yum!
These details aren't outrageous, just sublime. The on/off dimmer switches for the tubular lights on the night stands were on the top outside corners of the padded leather headboard.

Las Vegas moments

At The Venetian Hotel and Resort you can float beneath bridges, beside cafes, under balconies and through the Venetian streetscape with a singing gondolier on the Grand Canal.

Tuesday evening we went to The Wynn to see Spamalot - it was a hoot.
"King Arthur" John O'Hurley and cast taking their bows.
The Showcase Mall looks more than a little like a spaceship.
The Rainforest Cafe is one of 15+ eateries at the MGM. There are automatronic animals and a thunder storm every 22 minutes.

We had our breakfast at the Rainforest Cafe Wednesday and Thursday mornings and enjoyed watching the fish in the aquarium watching us while we ate.

This hulk urges you to Rescue the Rainforest.
The pool area at the MGM Grand.
The not so understated lobboy of Caeser's Palace. Wednesday we were off to see Cirque du Soleil's "LOVE", their Beatles show. No photography allowed in the show of course, but here's a view of the gift shop. We sat next to a great couple from Eugene, Oregon during the show and all four of us were struck dumb for most of the evening. Bar none, the best enterainment event I've ever attended.

A little bit of Paris on The Strip.
The entryway of F.A.O. Schwartz in the Forum Shops at Caeser's Palace is just a tad overwhelming.

Many of the "regulars" have their own gift shops. Here's Elton John's, Cher and Bette Midler share a shop.

Las Vegas fini

This gives some idea of the scale of the MGM Lion at the entrance to the MGM Grand complex. Just a tad bigger than the one in the Lobby. This was taken Thursday morning when the temperature was heading towards 95 farenheidt.


The New York, New York hotel and casino is directly across The Strip from the MGM - linked by a convenient skywalk - note the roller coaster. Thursday evening we ate at Emeril's, one of approximately 17 eateries at the MGM. The food and service were both superb and Geoff even managed to find an "Emeril" necktie. This brings his collection to around 200......

A view of the bar in the center of Emeril's.

It's unfortunate this is so dark but hopefully it gives a general idea of the layout of the Hollywood Theatre at the MGM where we saw -

Yes! Tom Jones. Photographs during the show are a big non-no so I restrained myself. His voice is still in prime form and the ladies are still throwing underwear at him! This was the promo shot just outside of the theatre entrance.
The rather spectacular facade of the Excalibur at night.
Lady Liberty herself as seen on the corner of the New York, New York complex Thursday evening.

Friday morning came way too fast. A distant view of the moon from my window seat.

And a little closer view. It was a wonderful vacation and a great way to mark our Silver Wedding Anniversary.

Three years ago, when it was announced that Toyota would be building a plant in Woodstock, the local VON became a beneficiary of the auto giant. The site that Toyota purchased to build on contained, among other things, a 12,000 sq. foot mansion on substantial landscaped grounds which they then donated to the VON for future use as a hospice. In order to prepare the hospice for effective use funds in the range of 2.5 million dollars will need to be raised in the next two years. One grassroots fundraising method that the organizers have been using for awhile is an annual Hike for Hospice. Geoff and I took photos for the organizers and had a great day, here are some of my shots.
This past Sunday's event raised in excess of $50,000, including over $8,500 raised by Myrtle Jouffret and her team - entered in memory of her late friend Leah Harmer. Myrtle is joined in the photo above by committee member, Marlene Fewster and Woodstock Mayor, Michael Harding.

Geoff is never thrilled to be the subject of a photo - too bad. I think this a a good shot of the working photographer.
My co-worker, Al Fewster who walked as part of the Hawk's Angels team (great t-shirts) in memory of his late brother.
The humble, former family home, which will be renovated to become Sakura House (hospice).
Tasha, one of the goofier hikers (Labradoodles just can't help themselves...).