The Bellagio has this steam-punky, fake-nature conservatory that gets revamped every season. I didn’t even know that Vegas had seasons? Other than hot and miserably hot? Anyway, I’m not sure it’s a good idea to have casinos redesigning nature. These conservators are very dangerous people.

Caption ideas:

  • darling, my heart is spinning and it aint ever gonna stop
  • darling, if you wanna get lucky, pull my lever
  • darling, would you like to join me for coffee and a three-hour discussion on the semiotic implications of a cowboy with a slot machine built into his torso? I’d love to share my insights on such famous western archetypes as the man-with-no-name, the gambling gentleman in the saloon, and the transhuman robotic cowboy? If this sounds interesting, then you’re my kind of gal!

Lousy photo of the lobby of the Aria. . . If you wanna stay in a greenie weenie resort, this one is for you. . . LEED certified. Awesome plant displays. Totally different vibe than the other mega complexes. Oh, sure, it’s got a mall and a casino. But extra power is drawn off the slot machines to help air condition the building. So every time you gamble, you’re saving the planet!

Homelessness is big problem in Vegas. . . Sad story, but here’s a photo of two guys, Siegfried & Roy, who have been camping out for years, alongside their pet lion, in the bushes in front of the Mirage.

Years ago, Siegfried & Roy were synonymous with the Mirage, which is now scheduled to be demolished and replaced by a giant guitar-shaped casino. Probably a good thing? The Secret Garden was shuttered. The dolphins were freed. The big cats were sent to reserves. And thankfully, the worst fake volcano in existence will finally stop spitting flames. Yay!

We spent the weekend in Denver / Boulder and had a chance to walk around Washington Park. This park has one of my favorite historic districts, Smith’s Ditch, which celebrates an old irrigation ditch.

Lovely dioramas at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Simple, well-crafted foregrounds and beautifully painted backdrops. Spacious and inviting. The rocking chairs were a nice touch, allowing visitors to pretend that they have a home on the range.