Happy Independence Day 2022
Author: Wendy VanHatten
Travel writer, author, editor, magazine editor-in-chief, traveler, co-founder of www.forkscorksandbrews.com
The Neon Museum
Lights are everywhere in Las Vegas. This is especially true at the Neon Museum, where a phenomenal collection of iconic Las Vegas signs is on display.
Founded in 1996, this non-profit organization collections, preserves, studies, and exhibits these amazing signs. The Neon Museum Boneyard is where we took our tour.
First stop, the Neon Museum Visitors’ Center, which is located inside the historic La Concha Motel lobby. This distinctive shell-shaped building was designed by acclaimed architect Paul Revere Williams. The curvilinear La Concha Motel lobby is a striking example of Mid-Century modern design characterized by Atomic- and Space Age shapes and motifs. Originally constructed in 1961 on Las Vegas Boulevard South (next to the Riviera Hotel), the La Concha lobby was saved from demolition in 2005 and moved in 2006 to its current location to serve as the Museum’s Visitors’ Center. References to many of the lobby’s original interior design elements have been included in the newly refurbished facility, with two of the motel’s original signs – the mosaic lobby sign and a section of the main roadside sign – restored and illuminated as part of the Museum’s rehabilitation efforts.
On to the Boneyard. Over 200 unrestored signs live here. Since we wanted to see the full effect, our tour was the sunset one. With everything being lit up, it was quite the spectacle. Signs I remember from being here as a kid sat along those more modern ones.
We learned stories about signs, learned their historical importance, heard about the personalities who created them, and the role each of these played in Vegas history. Not all signs were actual neon signs. Some had other lights or were powered by something other than neon.
This is definitely worth a stop. My personal recommendation would be to go at night to get the whole effect.
If You Go: The Neon Museum is located at 770 Las Vegas Boulevard North. For tickets and special events info check out https://secure.neonmuseum.org/events
For more Las Vegas info, check out https://travelsandescapes.net/2022/06/13/bellagio-conservatory/
Red Rock Canyon
Las Vegas has plenty of glitz, entertainment of all types, and neon. When you want a change from all of that, head west of the Las Vegas Strip into the Mojave Desert. Spend a day at Red Rock Canyon.
Red Rock Canyon was designated as Nevada’s first National Conservation Area. Located 17 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip on Charleston Boulevard/State Route 159, this area is visited by more than two million people each year.
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 bookstore.
In 1990, special legislation supported by the Nevada congressional delegation, changed the status of the Red Rock Recreation Lands to a National Conservation Area, the seventh to be designated nationally. This legislation provides the funding to protect and improve the area.
Keep in mind, you’re in the desert. The best time to visit would be morning. Take plenty of water, sun protection, and be smart about your visit.
We spent several hours along the 13-mile scenic drive, after first stopping at the Visitor Center. With indoor and outdoor exhibits, plant specimens, and live Desert Tortoise habitats, we learned much about the desert, the landscape, and the petroglyphs found here. Desert Tortoises wandered close to us, on their side of the fence. Surprising how fast they could move.
Along our drive we stopped to marvel at the different layers of rocks, the multitude of colors, and the amazingly different landscapes and canyons.
We took one hike to the Petroglyph wall, where we were able to see the historical wall art that dates back at least 800 years.
Reservations are required to enter the area, with timed entries given when you register.
For more information on reservations, check out https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10075177.
If You Go: Take West Charleston Blvd which is State Route 159 from Las Vegas. Take water, sun protection, and your camera.
For more things to do around Las Vegas, check out https://travelsandescapes.net/?s=Bellagio
Bellagio Conservatory
Bellagio Conservatory Display
If you have been in Las Vegas, you’ve probably been to the Bellagio. Their fantastic fountains out front of the casino dance to the music. It’s definitely a show to see.
But there’s more to the Bellagio than the dancing fountains and water show. There’s even more than the huge, glitzy casino. Look for the signs directing you to the Bellagio Conservatory.
This seasonally theme oriented display of flowers, plants, and lighting is worth walking through noisy slot machines and gaming tables. Every season, the entire display gets a new theme with a new name.
Currently it is the summer theme, “Jungle of Dreams.” This display is all about paying homage to the animal kingdom. All 28 animal sculptures have almost 10,000 plants and flowers either on them or surrounding them. Be sure to take some time and walk around more than once. You will see something different every place you look.
“Reimagining the Conservatory for this new summer display was a dream come true for me,” designer Ed Libby said in a press release. “Working with the talented Bellagio horticulture team, we took a scene that is captivating, visual, and dramatic and brought it to life as only Bellagio can.”
The west bed features a 20-foot-tall lion and its 9-foot-tall cub on top of a giant golden frame. The lion is wearing a gilded crown while flamingos, parrots, and a toucan are located at a nearby waterfall.
On the east bed, there are four giraffes who appear to welcome you when you make your way through a bamboo gazebo.
A pair of zebras is the focus on the south bed. They both have 120,000 individually placed rose petals as each of their coats. Be sure to check out the boa constrictor lounging on a palm tree nearby.
The Amazon landscape is featured on the north bed. Monkeys swing from vines and a jungle boat appears to start its journey. Herons dance in the water as a lazy jaguar watches everything from a treetop branch.
The Bellagio says the display features more than 9,200 plants and took 10,000 working hours to create.
We were there one day when they were unloading crates of flowers, wire frames, and boxes of plants. The next day, the entire Conservatory was transformed into the Jungle of Dreams.
Quite the show. Even in a city of shows. For more Vegas attractions, check out https://travelsandescapes.net/
Remembering Memorial Day
Indian Canyons, Palm Springs
Indian Canyons, Palm Springs
A trip to the Palm Springs area might be your pleasure if you are looking for world-class golf courses. Then again, with countless up-scale restaurants and bars steeped in old Hollywood legends maybe your goal is to find places Marilyn Monroe or Dean Martin ate and drank. Speaking of Marilyn, take a walking tour or a driving tour of famous homes. Of course, fantastic shopping is just around the corner.
Did you know you can also spend some time with more than 150 species of plants…all within a half-mile radius? Did you know you could be walking through an actual oasis?
Indian Canyons are the ancestral home of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. The canyons are especially sacred to the Agua Caliente people. They are also historically important to scientists and nature lovers.
The Agua Caliente people have lived here for thousands of years. They grew crops of melons, squash, beans, and corn. They also gathered plants and seeds for food, medicines, and basket weaving. Some of their house pits, irrigation ditches, dams, and reservoirs still exist in the canyons.
The Indian Canyons and Tahquitz Canyon are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Palm Canyon is the world’s largest California Fan Palm Oasis.
We spent a couple of hours walking along the Andreas Canyon. The scenic trail was considered easy and most of it was. It is narrow in spots so be prepared to wait if there are other people ahead of you or are coming towards you. There are also large rocks to step up on or down off, so wear good walking shoes.
Huge rocks, which seem to fill the sky, line the trail on one side. Stately palms of all sizes line the clear-water creek on the other side. Singing, chirping, and happy birds accompanied us on our walk.
Keep in mind, this is a desert hike. It may look like the beautiful, lush oasis it is but it is still the dessert. During part of this walk we were shaded and cool as we made our way along the creek. Another part found us walking along the top of the ridge, in the bright sun. We were glad for our water bottles.
After our walk, we drove up to the Palm Canyon area part of the canyons. This 15 mile-long is abundant with more California Fan Palms and stark, rocky gorges overlooking the desert landscape.
Palm Springs has so much to offer. Take time to explore the Indian Canyons area next time you are in the area. It’s a welcome contrast.
If You Go: Indian Canyons is located at 38520 South Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA. There is a charge to enter. Find out more at https://www.indian-canyons.com/
Looking for more places to explore in Palm Springs? Check out https://travelsandescapes.net/?s=palm+springs
Happy Valentine’s Day
San Diego Zoo
We spent the better part of a day at the San Diego Zoo recently.
Starting with the bus trip, which was included in our ticket price, this was a great to get oriented. With an overall view of the entire zoo, this helped us decide the areas where we definitely wanted to spend more time.
Our driver explained the individual areas and the animals that would normally live in either that continent or country. She stopped often along the way to show us an animal if they were visible. If they were not, she gave us some hints on the best time to see them.
She also told us about a “kangaroo bus” which is a hop on, hop off bus. This bus stops at four different spots throughout the entire zoo. We used this bus at the end of the day when we wanted to get to one more place.
Well laid out, the San Diego Zoo let us go from Africa to Asia and everywhere in between. We saw animals of that specific area. Signage by each animal helped us learn as it would explain the animal, their habitat, and pertinent facts about their life in the wild.
Volunteers are readily available to answer questions, give directions, and help with navigating the map. We stopped and asked questions several times.
Since we had reservation at Albert’s Restaurant, a sit-down restaurant at the San Diego Zoo, we headed there to eat lunch. Albert’s, located in the Lost Forest Zone, is a full-service restaurant. Both inside and outside offer a terrific view of the private waterfall. With a tasty lunch we enjoyed a glass of wine. Not a bad way to enjoy the zoo.
Albert’s was named for the most famous resident ever at the San Diego Zoo. He was a handsome silverback western lowland gorilla. Born in Africa, Albert arrived at the zoo in 1949 when he was four months old. He and two baby female lowland gorillas were hand raised at the nursery at the zoo. When he reached maturity, he lived in an open-air grotto, located where the restaurant is now located.
In 1965 Albert fathered the first western lowland gorilla at the San Diego Zoo. This was only the seventh gorilla born in any zoo. He died peacefully in 1978. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren are still living at the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
The rest of the day we wandered past lions, tigers, and bears. Oh my…what a great way to spend a day.
For more San Diego fun, check out https://travelsandescapes.net/?s=san+diego
Acquiesce Winery & Vineyards
| We just wanted to share with you some great news from the 2022 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition! All 10 of the wines we entered won awards (a Clean Sweep!), including the White Sweepstakes which was the “Best White” of the show for our 2020 Viognier. We also won Best of Class for 2020 Grenache Blanc, 2020 Roussanne and 2020 Picpoul Blanc. Here’s a post by wine writer Mike Dunne (SF Chronicle/Sacramento Bee): “Several intriguing storylines emerged from the 2022 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, which concluded its four-day run in Cloverdale today. None of them may be more significant than the showing of Acquiesce Winery & Vineyards of Lodi. Consider: More than 5,800 wines from throughout North America were entered, broken down into almost 200 classes, evaluated by some 50 judges. Acquiesce won a perhaps unprecedented four best-of-class awards. And these weren’t small classes. The Acquiesce Picpoul Blanc was up against 41 other white varietal wines. The Acquiesce Roussanne was up against 19 others. The Acquiesce Viognier was up against 52 others. Remarkably, all four Acquiesce best-of-class wines were nominated by judges for the sweepstakes round, which included 13 other white wines, including a classically rich Chardonnay, a spirited Sauvignon Blanc, a peachy and spicy Riesling, and a lychee-lined Chenin Blanc from Mexico. With four candidates in the lineup, Acquiesce not only was competing against that strong and diverse field, it was competing against itself for the top award. Nevertheless, the fragrant and mellifluous Acquiesce 2020 Lodi Mokelumne River Viognier ($30) emerged as the competition’s best white wine. No longer should Lodi be seen as the land of only hearty red wines.” Mike Dunne’s review of our Best White Wine of the Show – Viognier: “Acquiesce Winery & Vineyards 2020 Lodi Mokelumne River Viognier: Susan Tipton’s masterful hand with white grapes traditionally associated with France’s Rhone Valley was recognized with remarkable consistency at the 2022 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competitions. Four of her white varietal wines topped their classes, with her mellifluous 2020 Viognier going all the way to win the competition’s award for best white wine on the strength of its honeysuckle perfume and tuneful suggestions of peach orchard. It outdistanced 16 other nominated whites for the top honor in the final round of voting.” And our Best of Class Grenache Blanc: “Acquiesce Winery & Vineyard 2020 Lodi Grenache Blanc: A variety most at home in France’s Rhone Valley, Grenache Blanc is gaining adherents in California, thanks largely to the gumption and imagination of Susan Tipton of Acquiesce in Lodi. She appreciates food-and-wine pairing to an extent that is exceptional even in California’s winemaking community, and as a consequence styles her wines to shine at the dinner table, which her Grenache Blanc will do for its refreshingly citric flavor, steely structure and dry and snappy finish. Whatever fresh seafood is on the plate, this Grenache Blanc should be in the glass.” And our Best of Class Roussanne: “Acquiesce 2020 Lodi Roussanne: Lodi, long celebrated for its husky and brash red wines, nowadays is showing that it has the climate, soils and gutsy vintners to turn out white wines of alluring nuance and zest, including the Tiptons of Acquiesce, who with imagination and flair are raising Lodi’s profile for astute whites based on traditional Rhone Valley varieties, including this golden and elegant representative of Roussanne.” And our Best of Class Picpoul Blanc: “Acquiesce 2020 Lodi Picpoul Blanc: In France, Picpoul Blanc is so celebrated for the piercing acidity it brings to blended white wines it fondly is referred to as “lip stinger.” That ardent acidity is evident in the Acquiesce, helping offset the richness of its swelling suggestions of lemon creme brulee, honeycomb and lime. Bring on the mussels, oysters and clams.” This is one of my favorite wineries to go to. Other places I love can be found at https://travelsandescapes.net/2020/10/19/freixenet-spanish-cava/ |
Safari Park News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
Public Relations
619-685-3291
WEBSITE: sdzwa.org
PRESS ROOM:
sdzwa.org/pr/orangutanbirth2022
NEWS RELEASE
San Diego Zoo Celebrates the Birth of a
Critically Endangered Sumatran Orangutan Infant
SAN DIEGO (Jan. 18, 2022) – A new year brings new beginnings—and that is
especially true for Indah, a 35-year-old female Sumatran orangutan at the San Diego
Zoo, who gave birth to her third infant earlier this month. The healthy 2-week-old male
was born on January 4, and has been named Kaja, after an island in Kalimantan, the
Indonesian part of Borneo, that houses rehabilitated orangutans prior to release in the
wild. He is the first orangutan born at the Zoo in more than seven years, when Indah
gave birth to her daughter Aisha back in 2014.
“To witness the birth of such a majestic critically endangered animal is a remarkable
experience and brings us hope for the future,” said Erika Kohler, interim executive
director of the San Diego Zoo. “His birth increases the population by one and that is a
necessary step in our ongoing efforts to gain a deeper understanding of orangutans so
we can conserve the species where they live.”
Although the infant orangutan was deemed healthy, Indah experienced some
complications following the birth. Zoo team members reached out to community-based
experts for help, including neonatal anesthesiologists and OB-GYN specialists. Indah is
recovering, and will be on habitat intermittently. Both her and the infant are being
monitored closely by wildlife health and wildlife care specialists.
“It was extremely rewarding to see the understanding and collaboration put forth
by our talented team and community consultants to provide the necessary care for
Indah and her infant,” said Meg Sutherland-Smith, director of veterinary services at San
Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. “We will continue to stay vigilant; and at the same time,
remain hopeful.”
Sumatran and Bornean orangutans are listed as Critically Endangered on the
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
The decline in their population is due to illegal wildlife trafficking and habitat loss from
rampant deforestation, which forces them into closer contact with people.
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance works to save the species by collaborating with
innovative partners. Along with organizations such as SINTAS Indonesia and the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, conservationists work to prevent wildlife trafficking and
encourage the public to help reduce the demand for wildlife products, while advocating
for laws and other measures that protect wildlife.
About San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a nonprofit international conservation leader,
committed to inspiring a passion for nature and creating a world where all life thrives.
The Alliance empowers people from around the globe to support their mission to
conserve wildlife through innovation and partnerships. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
supports cutting-edge conservation and brings the stories of their work back to the San
Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park—giving millions of guests, in person and
virtually, the opportunity to experience conservation in action. The work of San Diego
Zoo Wildlife Alliance extends from San Diego to strategic and regional conservation
“hubs” across the globe, where their strengths—via their “Conservation Toolbox,”
including the renowned Wildlife Biodiversity Bank—are able to effectively align with
hundreds of regional partners to improve outcomes for wildlife in more coordinated
efforts. By leveraging these tools in wildlife care and conservation science, and through
collaboration with hundreds of partners, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has
reintroduced more than 44 endangered species to native habitats. Each year, San
Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s work reaches over 1 billion people in 150 countries via
news media, social media, their websites, educational
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