2000-Oregon Vacation (Faith's 1st trip to Oregon)

This was the year we took Tim's girlfriend (and future wife) with us to "meet the family".  What we didn't know was that in afew short months, my Mom would suddenly die in her sleep.  She was in a quadriplegic state for 32 years after a car accident.  Can't imagine living like that for so long, or taking care of her like my Dad did for so long----but I'm glad she did!  And I'm glad dad took such good care of her!  They were much loved!!!  Glad I took this last group picture of us!

One of the things we always did on our summer family visits to Oregon was head to the coast for a couple nights.   This gave Mom and DAd a little break from us and all the commotion for a couple days and we got to enjoy one of Oregon's treasures.  We usually ended up around Lincoln City---about 45 minutes away from our base of Dallas, Oregon, where my family lived. 

This year we stayed at Ocean Terrace Condos.  They aren't fancy, but the views are pretty spectacular.

2000 Vegas free trip #2

 Aug. 2000 - time to take another "free" trip to Vegas.  I did try to "upgrade" this one, too, like the one last year, but this time we were told we couldn't.  Ok--so we went and it was good.

This time we were in Circus Circus.  

Wandering around at night checking out the  lights

 

Had dinner in the Mirage buffet.  Loved it.

 WAndered around the strip by daylight, too.

Not sure, but think this is the church Ken's Mom and Leroy were married at.

the aquarium background of the Mirage check in areas.

Loved checking out the insides of the casinos as well as the outsides

and the many specialty shops along the strip---like the Coka Cola World.

 

and the M&Ms, of course.

Ken modeling with a Metropolitan.  As a kid my folks had a green one that we brought back from England with us.

more colorful lights.

Siegfried and Roy statue with one of their lions

Don't remember the name of this cactus garden but it was close to the Strip by car.  I do love gardens.

Back on the Strip---back to checking out the attractions.

The Venetian waterways.

mirage

stratosphere

New York, New York

Bally's

a new casino going up

Caesars

into the Luxor

Luxor pools

time to eat again!  This time at the Luxor buffet

 We took advantage of having a car and drove up to Red Rock Canyon.

Red Rock Canyon was designated as Nevada's first National Conservation Area.  It is 17 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip on Charleston Boulevard/State Route 159. In marked contrast to a town geared to entertainment and gaming, Red Rock offers enticements of a different nature including a 13-mile scenic drive, miles of hiking trails, rock climbing, horseback riding, mountain biking, road biking, picnic areas, nature observing and visitor center with indoor and outdoor exhibits as well as a book store.

 

 Even got to see some of the famous wild burros of the area.

 Back on the strip and enjoying our last evening.

 Another great Vegas vacation, ending too soon.