Day 2

We had booked a helicopter trip to the Grand Canyon on day two of our holiday.  We were picked up at 7 oclock outside our hotel by limo.  Whilst waiting for the limo Hayley got stung by a bee.  Well now we know that at least she is not alergic to bee stings.

The limo took us to the airport where we were weighed (boo whoo) before being given a safety talk.  Bob was reasonably ok which was good as we were not allowed to take the wheelchair on the helicpter.  He was able to go right up to the helicopter in the wheelchair though.  The helicopter trip was wonderful  We flew over the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead and past the Sky Walk.  It was truly spectacular.  We were given headsets which gave a commentry along with appropriate music (Indianna Jones theme tune as we dropped into the canyon). We could talk to one another through the headsets and also to the pilot.  Where we set down in the Canyon the Terrain was not too bad so Bob could manage a short walk before we sat down for our picnic breakfast supplied by the pilot.  Time for photos then back to head back to the strip.  The journey down the strip was reall something and this was a wonderful start to our holiday.

The Mirage

I think it's time I continued my blog.  The Mirage is a wonderful hotel and  ideally suited for the disabled.  There is not too much walking around and it is so easy to get to the strip.  (Some hotels have long walks as they are so far set back).  Another plus of the Mirage is that they own the sidewalk (or so I'm told) so you are not pestered by the clicky boys and girls flicking cards at you.

There are plenty of places to eat in the hotel and we had the buffet breakfast most days.  It is really good value for around 14 dollars. Although there was a queue most mornings this was quickly dealt with and we walked down the express line with the wheelchair.  The food was very good quality. There is a Macdonalds opposite the hotel which my boys visited quite a bit.  Also in the hotel is a Starbucks which is handy for a coffee.  Especially on the first day when you wake up so early with jetlag.

The disabled room was very good and had everything we needed (apart from a wedge to keep the door open whilst we pushed Bobs' wheelchair in).  We spent the first day looking around the hotel and some of the other hotels on the strip.  We had a lovely meal at The Cheesecake Factory (based at the back of the forum shops in Caesars Palace.  Good food and good value for money.

We had a flutter on the tables at the Mirage.  Bob likes roulette but the minimum bet was quite high so he went on the roulette machines.  This was actually better for him with the wheelchair and easy for someone to assist him.