Running the Lucky 13th

I've completed a race in my 13th state, and all I can say is Vegas, Baby, Vegas!
I did the Komen Race for the Cure in Las Vegas with my friend Susan, and Nevada is officially crossed off the list.
We stayed at The Golden Nugget hotel in the old downtown area of Las Vegas, not on the strip.
The hotel itself isn't that great, but it has a cool pool area, including a shark tank and a water slide that lets you slide through the middle of the tank. We certainly did that!

You can just see the tube from the water slide through the shark tank

The race was on a Saturday morning, so on Friday morning we toured the Hoover Dam. That was really interesting.

On the dam tour

Our tour guide was funny. He kept referring to the "dam tour" and he was our "dam guide." All silly and fun.
I didn't realize the Hoover Dam separates Nevada from Arizona, so we walked over to say we've been in both states on this trip.

A foot in each state!

Since we didn't have a car, we walked all over the Las Vegas area near our hotel, and even figured out the public bus system to get to the strip and see some of the lavish casinos and hotels.

Along the strip

Strip at night

Saturday morning all we had to do was walk out of the hotel and we were right at the race area. That was really nice.

Me and Susan

Just before the race start

Getting started

Susan along the walk

The Stratosphere in the background

Fiery art at the Container Park near Fremont Street

 The race course wasn't all that interesting, except near the end, as we passed the Container Park, which Susan and I had visited twice before, including once for some good barbecue for Friday's lunch. What we didn't know until Saturday's race, was the praying mantis sculpture art shot fire out of its antennae. Very cool!

Finishing the race right

 When we finished the race we were both hot, so we decided to cool off with a beverage. The photos are deceptive, we actually split this daiquiri -- and it took us a while to actually drink the whole thing. It melted, but we kept putting more ice in it and finally finished it.

How every race should end

Me and the King

It was great to spend time with my friend Susan, but I will say Las Vegas is not the town for me. I'm not a gambler, and Las Vegas really is a one-trick town. If you don't gamble, there really isn't much for one to do.
Still, I'm glad I've completed my 13th state in Nevada -- Lucky 13.