Travel: Nevada's Canyon Skywalk Is A Grand Day Out
by
Liz Cowan Braves A 4000ft Drop During Action-Packed Trip To Vegas
I've always been a thrill seeker but my hubby Tam would have been handed the part of the cowardly lion in The Wizard Of Oz without having to audition.
This was confirmed in Las Vegas during a trip to the Skywalk, a glass, horseshoe-shaped walkway suspended 4000ft above the Grand Canyon.
The first step on to the glass is a bottom-clenching experience and as we climbed the steps towards it Tam shoved me ahead declaring: "You go first."
The Skywalk isn't for the fainthearted and the feeling of having nothing between you and that drop except glass is quite unnerving.
But once you are out there it feels like you are floating and the views of Eagle Point are truly spectacular.
The Hualapai Indians own the land and want to preserve its natural beauty.
So if you really want to crank the thrill to the next level a wander over to the edge of the Canyon is a must.
There are no fences or rails, just you, rock and a sheer drop. If that doesn't get the adrenaline pumping nothing will.
We booked our Canyon extravaganza with Maverick helicopters.
The 6am pick-up was a shock to the system but appreciated when Paul our pilot explained that temperatures can hit 120 degrees by mid-afternoon in the Nevada desert.
It takes about 45 minutes to get from the famous Strip and as they fly you below the rim of the Canyon the jaw-dropping spectacle appearing in front of you is only slightly tarnished by the Magnificent Seven blasting through your headset. Cheeeeesy!
Our first stop was at the base of the Canyon, where you get a picnic and a glass of champagne. It was like
something straight out of a western as crows the size of puppies gathered waiting for any titbits.
This was the fourth year Tam and I have spent our summer hols in Nevada and everyone says the same thing: "We didn't realise you were gamblers."
We aren't. While a few hours in the casino can be fun there is much more to this state than slot machines.
We stayed at the Bellagio, featured in Ocean's 11, and even though we didn't run into Brad Pitt or George Clooney, I loved it.
Choosing from the 14 restaurants isn't easy but Fix was one of our favourites.
Despite only being a few feet away from the casino floor you could not enjoy a much more intimate setting.
The hotel also has five pools and you can book an exclusive cabana. The padded sunbeds and cooling misters that spray you are fantastic, especially as the temperature hit 110F every day.
But if poolside posing isn't your thing, Vegas has loads more. We opted for a Pink Jeep tour to take us to Hoover Dam.
There were only six of us and our guide Bob drove us through Boulder City, where it is still illegal to gamble. His history lesson of the Dam was also brilliant.
But the one story that had us hooked was about the Hoover Dam dog, who is buried in the structure. He belonged to the workmen but died following a tragic accident involving a lorry.
There is a plaque in his memory but when I asked why the dog didn't have a name, Bob said: "Well ma'am it did but it was a black labrador, so due to political correctness we removed it." Fair point but a lovely story just the same.
Another thing Vegas isn't short of is celebrities. We spotted Vince Vaughn, Robert Downey Jnr and Jon Favreau - who played Monica's boyfriend Pete in Friends - who were filming Iron Man.
I often boast of going swimming with Italian football legend Paolo Maldini, who was also staying at the Bellagio.
But if you want guaranteed star spotting a trip to Madame Tussauds is an excellent way to escape the sun. We had a laugh getting up close to Johnny Depp, Madonna and the Rat Pack.
Sin City is like the perfect sunshine holiday and city break all rolled into one. When the sun goes down Vegas comes alive with first-class bars and shows.
La Reve - a mind-blowing acrobatic show - will leave you speechless. It will also leave you vowing to visit the gym as body fat is non-existent on these performers.
We also took in the Wayne Brady show, Gordy Brown and the must-see for Monty Python fans, Spamalot.
Food lovers will be spoiled for choice. Steak houses are numerous but for something different we headed for sushi restaurant Social House at TI hotel.
I'm always being told that two weeks in Vegas is too long but there were loads of things we couldn't fit in. I guess we'll just need to return again next year.
I LOVED the guaranteed sunshine every day.
I HATED not having enough time to see all the shows.
LAS VEGAS MAILFILE
For further information on Las Vegas and Nevada, visit www.visitlasvegas.co.uk or call 0870 523 8832 for a free destination guide.
For more information on the Bellagio hotel, log on to www.bellagio.com
For both Maverick and Pink Jeep tours, call 0208 464 3432 or visit their websites at www.maverickhelicopter.co.uk and www.pinkjeep.com
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