Nevada
City and scenery
Nevada provided the perfect introduction to snowbirding for the Prices
Calgary resident Ray Price marks December 15, 2006, as the day he retired. More to the point, though, that’s the day he and his wife, Joan, officially became snowbirds. Ray retired after a 37-year career with BP Canada Energy Co. Ltd.
Red rock, blue skies: (Top) Red Rock Canyon near Las Vegas is a hiker’s dream; (Bottom) Calgarians Ray and Joan Prices’ home base was their fifth wheel trailer in a Las Vegas RV resort. -photo by Ray Price photos
The Prices chose Las Vegas, Nevada, as their first snowbirding destination, departing December 29 for a six-day stay at Oasis RV Resort. When they weren’t appreciating the amenities offered at the resort, Ray and Joan enjoyed some hiking in nearby Red Rock Canyon and took in some of the famous Las Vegas stage shows.
“We went to two shows—Mama Mia at Mandalay Bay and O at the Bellagio,” Ray said. The latter show is the Cirque du Soleil production created around a water theme.
Last winter’s trip was not the first time the Prices had been to Las Vegas—they’d travelled there on tours in the past—but it was their first time there as RVers. In fact, the last time they were at Oasis Resort, it was the middle of summer and the weather was very, very hot.
“This time,” said Ray, “it was cold and froze every night.”
He said they experienced below-zero weather in both Nevada and California last winter.
“Who’d have thunk it?” he chuckled.
For these rookie snowbirds, the trip was a learning experience. The Prices have since bought a new fifth wheel unit that features thermal-pane windows to keep the freezing air outside, where it belongs.
Of course, you can’t go to Las Vegas without doing just a bit of gambling, and Ray was pleased to report winning all of $87 on the penny slot machines.
He said the Silverton Inn casino, which was “the size of three Wal-Marts,” was a favourite.
Ray and Joan took their hound with them, so they were thrilled to find a dog park in Las Vegas where they could meet and chat with the locals while giving their pet room to roam.
Elsewhere in Nevada
While Las Vegas is Nevada’s most famous destination, the rest of the state presents diverse possibilities to keep RVers entertained.
“Nevada is very appealing to RVers because of our wide open spaces, uncrowded highways and the open road,” said Chris Chrystal, media relations spokesperson for the Nevada Commission on Tourism.
“We have miles and miles of rural highways in good condition.”
Chrystal said Nevada boasts ghost towns, historic mining towns, cultural sites and scenic wonders. In fact, certain roads have been officially designated as “scenic byways.”
The state is much more than desert, with a great deal of biodiversity in various climatic zones, Chrystal said.
“There are lots of lakes and wetlands, people are surprised to know,” she said, adding that Nevada is also home to a variety of species of birds, as it is located on the Pacific flyway.
With the Sierra Nevada and Ruby mountain ranges, Nevada is also a mountainous state.
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