seeing Vegas with your Dog

Vegas

Living so close to Vegas we get to explore both the natural wonders around the city as well as the strip. There are a number of places that are dog friendly. One of my favorite is the Desert Breeze County Park. It has lots of grass for me to play in, it has both a path where we can walk with me on the leash and an area where dogs can play fenced in. They like it because it is just five miles from the strip.

The Lorenzi Park, just about a mile west of downtown is another great place to play in the grass and it has a beautiful lake.

Now for a small fee the Floyd Lamb State Park is a good place. With paths winding around the fishing lakes, historic sites and grassy areas shaded by trees makes it another one to put on your list of places to visit.

This park is at the top of our list of great dog friendly hiking places. Spring Mountain Recreation Area with over 316,000 acres within the Toiyabe National Forest and only thirty five miles outside of town. If you time your visit right you can see the waterfall or check out one of the small caves all at the foot of the majestic Mt. Charleston.

The fist park on our list is the Red Rock National Area. This park has hiking for everyone but keep in mind dogs are allowed on some and not others. Now you don't have to be a hiker to enjoy this park thanks to it's 13 mile loop with it vistas and overlooks. If your trip can't squeeze in another fee you can get a sampling of this parks beauty by stopping by the visitor center, it's free. The rock formations and color should not be missed plus it is just a twenty five  minute drive from Vegas. 

Then when you want to hit the Strip and see if you can win the big bucks just drop the four legged member of the family at the www.animalinnlv.com/  

  

 

Venomous Monster

They have a horrible reputation of being venomous monsters. Most people scream and jump up on furniture when they see them. Crawling like they are part of a racing team with their eight legs. But they can be very still too as they hold their menacing whip like tail over head. It is that dreadful tip on the tail that is the killer.
Actually only 25 of the 1000s of species can kill a human. They adapt real well and are found just about everywhere in the world, though they prefer the subtropics. Coming out at night and eating crickets are what Scorpions really like to do.
  
Love At First Sting

"Trick or Treat" comes to America

Some trace the origins of present day "trick-or-treat" to Samhain(pronounced sah-ween), which was their night of demonic jubilation.  Spirits would rise out of their graves and wander the countryside, trying to retun to the homes.  In an effort to appease the spirits, frightened villagers began the tradition of placing plates of food and bits of treats on their doorsteps; not doing this they feared, would result in the death of their flocks or the destruction of their property. 

The other issue the superstitious villagers believed was if the souls of dead loved ones could return that nights, so could anything else, nice or not-so-nice, so to blend in as one of the demonic hoard, they would wear masks and other disguises.  This is one of the believed origins of Halloween masquerading as devils, imps, ogres, and other demonic creatures.

Another European trace to "trick-or-treat", was a custom called "souling".  Beggars would go door to door to collect "soul cakes" in exchange for promising to say a prayer for a deceased depardent, further guaranteeing a soul's passage to heaven.   

Many of the customs were taken to the United States by the Irish and Scottish immigrants in the nineteenth century and developed into "trick or treat".  

Halloween Craft Making and Costume Making : Activity Tv : Learn Step By Step How to Make Costumes , Trick or Treat Bags , Carve Pumpkins and Other Decorations , Tasty Treats , How to Put on Makeup & More : 4 Dvd Set : 324 Minutes

Halloween origins and customs

History traces Halloween back to the ancient religion of the Celtics in Ireland.  They were very conscious of the spirit world and helping their over 300 gods to defeat enemies in battle.  One of the main feasts was called Samhain (pronounced Sah-ween), celebrated Nov 1.  They believed this to be a time when hostile supernatural forces were active and ghosts and spirits were free to wander as they wished.

By A.D.  43, the Romans had conquered the majority of the Celtic territory, and Roman festivals were combined with the Celtic celebration of Samhain forming a blending of Paganism with Christianity.  One such union was  the day for the Romans to honor Pomona, who was symbolized as an apple, since she was the goddess of fruit and trees. This blending with Samhain explains the idea of bobbing for apples on Halloween.    

In the 7th Century a Pope introduced All Saits' Day, a time to honor saints and martyrs, to replace the pagan festival of the dead.  Oct. 31, thus became All Hallows's Eve. 

The Rise of Christianity: How the Obscure, Marginal, Jesus Movement Became the Dominant Religious Force ....

Animals & Halloween

Bats and Owls have always had their place in Halloween lore. At one time thought to be spirits of the dead.
With bats living in caves they were linked to the underworld. When people would hear the screech of the owl they were afraid that it was demons screaming out from the darkness. Even black cats were believed to be witches who prowled the streets for an unsuspecting passerby to cast an evil spell on. Many creatures that come out at night were feared to be lost souls reincarnated to continue making havoc of mankind's lives.

UNIVERSAL ORLANDO HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS - Self-guided Walking Tour - Includes insider tips and photos - Explore on your own schedule - Like having a friend show you around! (Visual Travel Tours)