David and I finally got the opportunity to see the Springs Preserve today. We went with friends…Draven, Debbie, and Debbie’s Mom (whose name escapes me at the moment). The nice thing about Mondays is that Debbie is off work on Mondays. Sundays, for her, are generally family days, so when we make plans to get the kids together, during the school year, it’s usually on a Monday…or a holiday.
Before the Springs Preserve opened, there was the “Desert Demonstration Garden”, literally across the street. I could usually be found there at least once a week working on a photography assignment. While the Springs Preserve is absolutely gorgeous, I miss the demonstration garden. The demonstration garden was just what the name implies, it demonstrated many styles of gardening. I especially loved the Japanese Zen garden. Most of the non-desert, drought specific, plants and gardens did not make it over to the Springs. However they did create some fantastic, hands-on, exhibits. David got a little freaked out at the flash flood demonstration, but I talked him through it and when all was said and done, he enjoyed it. Poor kid just gets scared of new stuff that sounds dangerous in the “lead-up”
There was a TON to see and do and I don’t think we put much of a dent in it. Since it was such a beautiful day we spent the majority of our time outdoors (I have the red face and neck to prove it). So we all need to go back and really spend some time at the indoor exhibits. We did kind of rush through some of them, primarily because it was the end of the day, we’d already been there 5 hours, and we were all tired. I know I look forward to going back when it cools off in the fall and David is back in school. Then, and only then, will I be able to truly see what I want to see. No matter how many times I tell that kid that after a day of me doing what he wants to do…occasionally he will have to do what I want to do…there is just no joy in doing what I want while my kid huffs and puffs, sighs, and generally makes me anxious and uncomfortable.
One of the things the Springs has bragged about since opening is the fact that they have an “eatery” by Wolfgang Puck. We, Debbie and I, had planned all along that we would have lunch there. It was above the gift shop and when you walked in there was a counter to place your order, then they gave you a number and when your order was ready a staff member would bring it to you. They also had a very nice wrap-around patio so you could eat outside. We did! Considering it was a holiday and packed, we easily found someplace to sit and the food was quite good, albeit, maybe a tiny bit more expensive than a traditional sit down restaurant for lunch (gotta pay for Wolfgang’s name, doncha know!). I would definitely eat there again.
I was a bit surprised at the price for the Springs…$16.95 for an adult to have full access to all the trails, gardens and exhibits. And I don’t remember the price for children 5-17…I think it was $10-11. I decided, considering that I knew I would want to come back in the fall, that it might be more economical to get the Annual Pass for the family at $75. I’m glad I did. I suspect that I, alone, would probably be there enough times to spend more than $75 and they are building a huge, new building that will house the Nevada State Museum there as well. I’m guessing/hoping that our Annual Pass will include it, though, I am not sure it will be open by this time next year…I meant to ask.
Hope you all had a marvelous Memorial Day Weekend. Thank you to all the Service Men and Women in our Military and I pray you all come home safely…SOON!!!! Thank you for your dedication and all you do to keep us safe!!!! Love and hat’s off to Jon, Kristy!
