Las Vegas And Its Natural Surroundings

What�s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Las Vegas? It�s the bright city lights, the music, the non-stop partying. Who would ever think of beautiful green spaces, nature walks, the still of the desert viewed in the light of the setting sun? But that�s exactly what lies just outside the glare of the city lights and all it takes is a short ride to get there and drink deep of this beauty.

Just 270 miles away, in Utah actually, is the Bryce Canyon National Park. You want breathtaking scenery? Here�s where to find it. You�ll have to pay an entrance fee of $20 for a vehicle but it�s worth every penny. The view is absolutely astounding and you should keep your eyes peeled for wildlife like the golden and bald eagles and the Great Basin Rattlesnake. If you are there in spring and summer, you could be treated to some wonderful blooms as well.

Just 20 miles away is the Floyd Lamb Park which became a state park in 1977. You�ll find a barbecue area here and some very interesting remains and fossils. Some of them have been identified as giant sloths, mammoths, bison, horses and camels. It also has four well-stocked ponds and if you have a fishing license for Nevada, you could fish here but do remember that the limit per person is just three fish.

Southeast of Las Vegas just 300 miles away is the Grand Canyon. This is a great trip if you have a whole day free. You�ll have to pay to drive your car in and park but it�s well worth it just to take in this glorious bit of American legend. Maybe you could take one of the tours to go round the canyon or opt for one that takes you right to the bottom and then up again. Or, maybe you would like to choose the helicopter ride instead.

Another place close by is Lake Mead where you enjoy the beauty of the Nevada desert at its best. This is a large man-made lake, amongst the largest in the world and is around 1� million acres. It was formed by the Hoover Dam and the Colorado River and is a great place to do some swimming, boating and viewing wildlife.

Las Vegas and the great outdoors? It�s not an association that comes to mind easily but when you do look for it, you�ll find a plethora of wonderful spots where your thoughts can turn to green. So even if it was the bright lights of Vegas that attracted you in the first place, keep a day or two aside to unwind and look around. We guarantee you won�t be disappointed.

Las Vegas newspaper endorses Romney

LAS VEGAS The Las Vegas Review-Journal, Nevadas largest newspaper, is endorsing former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney ahead of Saturdays GOP presidential caucus in the state.

Las Vegas Review-Journal endorses Mitt Romney

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Las Vegas Review-Journal, Nevada’s largest newspaper, is endorsing former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney ahead of Saturday’s GOP presidential caucus in the state.

Feds to 'monitor,' not investigate Las Vegas police

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Civil rights groups in Las Vegas are protesting a U.S. Department of Justice decision not to launch an immediate probe of Las Vegas police use-of-force policies while officials await completion of an alternate “best practices” review by the federal Community Oriented Policing Services program.

Send your loved one a virtual Vegas Valentine's Day card right now

There are lots of reasons why Las Vegas is known as the marriage capital of the world, but we tend to believe it's because it's so darn fun to fall in love here. That's why we want to help you send a little Valentine's love from Sin City.

Las Vegas hotel guest dies following exposure to Legionnaires' disease at Luxor

As if lightning has struck twice, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) has again contacted the Southern Nevada Health District and reported that guests of the Luxor in Las Vegas hotel have contracted Legionnaires' disease after vacationing on the Las Vegas Strip. This comes on the heels of the Legionella exposure outbreak reported this past summer at the Aria Resort, another ...

Spanish paper El Tiempo endorses Kihuen

El Tiempo, a Las Vegas Spanish newspaper, has endorsed Ruben Kihuen in his congressional bid. Democratic Nevada State Senator Kihuen is running for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012. He would

Pacquiao Guaranteed $25-M In Fight Against Bradley

MANILA, Philippines - World welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao will be guaranteed $25 million, the biggest purse of his career, when he faces undefeated American challenger Tim Bradley on June 9 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.Pacquiao's promoter, Hall of Famer Bob Arum, had told the Manila Bulletin last week that Pacquiao will receive "his biggest guaranteed purse" against Bradley, although the ...

Romney cruises toward win in Nevada

LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - Republican front-runner Mitt Romney surged on Friday toward an apparent easy win in Nevada, with a new poll showing him beating rival Newt Gingrich by a 2-to-1 margin on the eve of the state's presidential nominating contest. Romney is seeking his second consecutive victory on Saturday in the state-by-state Republican race after seizing momentum earlier in the week by ...

Report: UFC's Alistair Overeem charged with battery in Las Vegas

Top UFC heavyweight contender Alistair Overeem has been charged with one count of misdemeanor battery following an incident in a Las Vegas casino soon after his UFC 141 bout this past month. According to the "Las Vegas Review-Journal," Overeem is slated to appear in court on Feb. 21, and if convicted, he faces a maximum of six months in county jail and a maximum $1,000 fine. MMAjunkie.com had ...

Bradley's camp says bout with Pacquiao done deal

Cameron Dunkin, manager for Timothy Bradley, told this newspaper Friday that Bradley has signed a contract to fight welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao on June 9 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas.