Being an Arizona family, each winter we search for snow with the express purpose of playing and freezing our butts off. Mount Charleston (outside of Las Vegas) had a record 8′ of the fluffy white stuff, but accommodations on the mountain were nil. Santa Fe Station Casino offered the closest lodgings, plus online reservations were a cinch!
We arrived at the “Designated Snow Play Area”, got the kids suited up, and hauled them in their little Christmas sleds towards a hill.
This run looked good…
…but veered towards a tree!
Both girls were fine, and eventually steered their sleds straight.
We ate snow,
tried to build a snowman,
took lots of pictures,
and enjoyed the scenery.
Ninety minutes later, we were heading down the mountain to thaw and check into our room. The girls chose their bed, then ran to the bathroom to check out the toiletries. They would have tested the lotion, shampoo & conditioner immediately, but we distracted them with the mention of dinner.
Steakhouse, Mexican, Sushi, Buffet, Fatburger, Chinese, Wings, Pizza, or Coco’s Restaurant & Bakery ~ so many choices! Coco’s won us over with their extensive menu, and we all dined happily.
After dinner, we bowled. Tom and our youngest daughter had something in common. It was their first time bowling! How does a 49 year old man go through life without bowling?
I left my camera in the room, so I tried to spruce up these phone shots with photoshop filters.
When our summer temps reach 120º F / 48.89º C, we’ll be wishing the snow was still on the mountains.
• Snow: Love or loath?
• Cabin or Casino?
• Which restaurant would have enticed you?
Comment By: Anita Henderson
January 13th, 2011 at 6:00 pm
Awesome! I would have chosen a casino, I hate snow!! And CoCo’s looked delish!
Comment By: Jean
January 16th, 2011 at 11:58 am
Hi Anita! Thanks for commenting. We really enjoyed the casino, and would stay there again even if the lodge wasn’t full. 😀
Comment By: Marian
January 13th, 2011 at 6:06 pm
That looks like so much fun! I love all of the pictures! Your girls are just darling!
Comment By: Jean
January 16th, 2011 at 11:58 am
Thank you so much, Marian! I wonder if you visit any nearby snowy destinations?
Comment By: Sherri
January 13th, 2011 at 6:11 pm
Jean, how does one 49 year old man EVER not experience the thrill of bowling? Mind boggling.
I was just thinking about bowling while I was at work today. I have no idea why, it just popped into my mind.
Despite your camera mishap I feel like you captured the essence of the bowling alley with your phone as it was meant to be viewed!
PS…at first I thought one of the girls were knocked out behind the tree! Thank the sledding gods they were fine.
Comment By: Jean
January 16th, 2011 at 11:59 am
OMgosh, Sherri. Tom must have been hiding under a rock all these years for him not to have bowled!
Ha- it does look like the girls had a pile-up by the tree.
Comment By: Sunny
January 13th, 2011 at 7:56 pm
Snow = Love 🙂
Cabin
I would have chosen sushi but probably would have been left eating alone. (Would have to pull the “I’ll buy you a sake bomb!” card…)
Looks like a great time had by all! Glad you got that tree route straightened out. And how come Tom’s never bowled? Hmmm…. LOL
Comment By: Jean
January 16th, 2011 at 12:00 pm
We’ve never been able to stay in those cabins. I wonder how far in advance one needs to book?
Sake bomb? Ok, I’m game!
Tom says he’s played candlepins or some such game. The balls had no holes and are much smaller. Must be a Mass. thing.
Comment By: Heather
January 14th, 2011 at 6:37 am
What a fun story and photos! 🙂
We love snow, but would rather drive to it than have it dumped into our driveway. I would say that ‘we’ also like the casinos, but my hubby has never been to Vegas. So I guess that means just I love casinos. 😉 There’s also something really heart-warming about staying in a warm, cozy cabin with a big fireplace and a puzzle. And I’m with Sunny…I’m a big fan of sushi, but no on else in my fam likes fish.
Comment By: Jean
January 16th, 2011 at 12:01 pm
Thank you, Heather!
Yes, driving to snow is much preferred!
There are great deals in Vegas right now. They are hungry for tourists.
I like California roll and cooked eel… and sake. 😀
Comment By: Sedate Me
January 14th, 2011 at 10:43 am
Snow: Love or loath?
Vegas ain’t exactly the best place in the world for snow. I’ve had 2 metres of snowfall so far this year. If you want snow, come to my place…and bring a shovel.
Although, I admit I still love that cold, white, shit. Better than broiling to death in some Godforsaken desert.
Cabin or Casino?
Casinos have no appeal for me. The only possible exception would involve searching out pretty girls with gambling addictions and floating them some “credit” if you know what I mean.
Cabins sound great, but aren’t usually worth the pain in the ass to visit for a weekend. I’d rather live in a cabin in the middle of nowhere where I can manufacture pipe bombs in complete peace & quiet.
But how about a fully stocked, off-the-grid, bomb shelter? Or maybe even one of these ultra-deluxe babies?
http://survivalcondo.com/documents/new_construction.html
Not only to I like it, I’m sure it will probably come in handy soon enough.
Comment By: Jean
January 16th, 2011 at 12:03 pm
Sedate Me, we do broiled to death here in the summer. I have to tolerate it as I don’t see us moving.
I hear Ted Kazynski’s place is on the market.
Nice silo! Geez! How many floors is that?
Comment By: Sedate Me
January 17th, 2011 at 8:04 am
Looking at the cross section of the Survival Condo will probably give most Canadians (or K-Tel fans) a flashback to the unforgettable Patty Stacker/Patti-Chef. http://www.ktel.com/classics_products.php?id=157 Younger folks will probably think of the Teletubby house.
There are 5 floors for living quarters and 7 other floors for shared facilities and utilities. While it’s a tad out of my price range, I’m saving up to buy an entire silo, as I doubt I can live trapped in a building with other people for long without wanting to murder them.
Although, I might offer a couple of floors to the prettiest survivors I see banging on my fence, providing they fulfill certain obligations, if you know what I mean.
Comment By: Galit Breen
January 14th, 2011 at 12:12 pm
I LOATH snow. Seriously L O A T H! But you do it well! Looks like a wonderful time had by all! 🙂
Comment By: Jean
January 16th, 2011 at 12:04 pm
Thanks, Galit! We enjoyed it, but didn’t play long. Didn’t even make it back up the mountain the following morning.
Comment By: The Girl from the Ghetto
January 16th, 2011 at 6:56 am
Looks like you had a great time, Jean. I’m happy you found your snow getaway!
Now, you’ve bummed me out a little, because I got to thinking about Vegas food … Fatburger & In N’Out, as well as the fact that I never went to Mt. Charleston when I lived in Vegas! Darn you, lol!
Comment By: Jean
January 16th, 2011 at 12:05 pm
Ahhh, those burger joints are great! I’ll bet you’ve got some tasty treats out your way that we don’t have here.
Mt. Charleston awaits your return. They even have ski runs!
Comment By: Nadezhda
January 16th, 2011 at 11:20 am
Love
Cabin
Chinese
The picture of you two is so cute 🙂
Comment By: Jean
January 16th, 2011 at 12:05 pm
Thank you, Nadezhda!
I need to swing by your blog. It is great that you are back. 🙂
Comment By: Tony
January 17th, 2011 at 1:26 am
Great photos of a fun outing. The 3rd & 4th photo reminds me of a beach Boy’s song
“And she’ll have fun, fun, fun till her Daddy puts a tree in the way”
Comment By: Jean
February 1st, 2011 at 9:46 pm
Hahahahahaha, Tony, you are so clever! I must pop over and visit you as well. Shame I’ve been all work and no play lately.
Comment By: Tony
February 15th, 2011 at 5:44 am
I have gone back to my WP.com site as I found that Self hosting for me was too time consuming. There were too many things to fascinate me & to fiddle with.
Comment By: Angie
January 22nd, 2011 at 10:53 am
I love all of your pictures they are so gorgeous! Winter is one of the most beautiful seasons 🙂
Comment By: Jean
February 1st, 2011 at 9:45 pm
Thank you, Angie!
I’m sorry your comment landed in my spam folder. All remedied now. On my way to visit your blog.
Comment By: classycareergirl
January 22nd, 2011 at 6:38 pm
What fun for the kids! I bet they had a blast! hope you are having a great weekend!
Comment By: Jean
February 1st, 2011 at 9:45 pm
Thank you, Classy Career Girl! They girls do look forward to our annual snow trek. I hope you’re doing good!
Comment By: Jason
January 23rd, 2011 at 2:08 pm
Snow, love or loathe…I used to love it but after my experiences driving back from Cardiff last month I have come to loathe it!
You looked like you all had great fun Jean…only slightly jealous that the scenery is better than what we have here!
Comment By: Jean
February 1st, 2011 at 9:44 pm
Thank you, Jason. I hope the snow has let up and allowed you to drive around safely. I must pay your blog a visit! I’ve been working exceedingly hard, but see a break in the near future.
Comment By: gareth
January 25th, 2011 at 5:32 am
Is the guy above from Cardiff , uk? or cardiff california ?? if the uk totally agree . You try to find the snow, we try and escape !!
bowling is always good, though after a few beers you think you are kingpin, when atually you end up bouncing the ball from side to side !!
all the best Gareth
Comment By: Jason
January 25th, 2011 at 10:28 am
Hi Gareth…indeed Cardiff UK.
Glad to see spring on the horizon for sure!
Comment By: Jean
February 1st, 2011 at 9:43 pm
Jason – sorry your reply to Gareth ended up in my spam folder. 🙁 All corrected now.
Comment By: Jean
February 1st, 2011 at 9:43 pm
Hi Gareth – Yes, Jason is from the UK. You should visit his blog. He’s quite charming. Oh, I mean, his photography is excellent and his stories entertaining.
Kingpin sounds like a totally fun game!
Comment By: Mama Mary
January 29th, 2011 at 11:01 pm
Oh that steak looks so good!!! I’m starving! Looks like you had a great time!
Comment By: Jean
February 1st, 2011 at 9:42 pm
That steak was delish, Mama Mary! I don’t recall ever eating at a Coco’s before.
Comment By: Charlotte
January 31st, 2011 at 9:46 pm
These are such wonderful pictures–looks as though you all had a great time! I can’t believe your hubby’s never bowled before but I’m glad you got to share that with him and the kiddies. 🙂
Comment By: Jean
February 1st, 2011 at 9:42 pm
Thank you, Charlotte! I was stunned too that hubby hadn’t bowled. I think he looked a lot from Wii bowling because he still managed to break 100.
Comment By: Posky
February 4th, 2011 at 12:18 pm
Some of these photos make it look like these children had several brushes with death during their time spent sledding.
Comment By: Jean
February 6th, 2011 at 1:18 pm
Posky, I can’t lie. There were several brushes with death.
Comment By: Bella
February 5th, 2011 at 8:03 am
That scenery is amazing! Stopping by from SITS
Comment By: Jean
February 6th, 2011 at 1:19 pm
Thank you for your visit and comment, Bella! It was lovely to visit your blog as well.
Comment By: Janna
February 5th, 2011 at 8:12 am
It looks like your children had a blast! I wish I could send you some snow from Michigan! I can’t believe that was your husband’s fist time bowling. How did he do?
Comment By: Jean
February 6th, 2011 at 1:19 pm
Thank you, Janna! Hubby won the first game of bowling, but took a dive in the 2nd. 😉
Comment By: Kimberly
February 6th, 2011 at 11:11 am
I am SO DONE with snow. I’d choose anything over it right now. Looks like you guys had a great time, though!
Comment By: Jean
February 6th, 2011 at 1:20 pm
Thank you Kimberly! We did have fun, and wish we could fit in one more visit before the snow melts.
Comment By: Victoria
February 13th, 2011 at 11:05 pm
Love these snow photos. I am a Vegas native also and we attempted a MC snow run while home for Christmas, I think the upper lodges hot cocoa was the kids favorite part:)
Comment By: Jean
February 20th, 2011 at 6:14 pm
Hi Victoria! We love those upper lodges. They were all full. Oh, I already said that. LOL! Thanks for stopping by. So nice to meet you.
Comment By: LisaDay
February 14th, 2011 at 6:20 am
Looks like a fantastic day. It does seem surprising your hubby hadn’t bowled before.
Happy SITS day.
LisaDay
Comment By: Jean
February 20th, 2011 at 6:13 pm
Hi LisaDay – I was surprised hubby hadn’t bowled too. He said he’s done something called candlepin. ???
Comment By: Amber
February 18th, 2011 at 5:10 pm
Oh my goodness, that picture is priceless! (The sled heading straight for the tree)
Comment By: Jean
February 20th, 2011 at 6:08 pm
Thanks, Amber! Luckily the girls weren’t sledding TOO quickly. 🙂