Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes with Adam Pass

Photo Credit : Adam Pass Photography

The past week on Vegas Reviews I have been writing about tours outside of Vegas for the adventurous hiker or sight-seer. It's also the right fit for all the amazing photographers, such as it was for Adam Pass.

As you already know from my last article on Death Valley National Park, a couple of friends, Romeo and Mark were scouting Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes and Racetrack Playa exploring the incredible Mojave desert landscape with a group of team members.

Photo Credit: Adam Pass Photography

During my search process I happily discovered Adam Pass, a professional photographer from Montgomery, New York, who was also part of the Adobe Photoshop team. The hardy adventurers braved the cold desert nights along with the scorching afternoon heat hitting higher digits, as Adam puts it," We survived the 115 degree heat, even though at times the camera didn't..."

Photo Credit: Adam Pass

Not being deterred from the Mojave desert's harsh environment, Adam's early start allowed him to capture stunning serene landscapes, featuring the rolling Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes peaking through the morning sunrise. 

Team leader Russell Preston Brown (Sr. Creative Director of Adobe) led the Adobe Photoshop excursion, gathering valuable data and breathtaking photos using cameras and assists by DJI drones into the late night. 

Photo Credit : Adam Pass

Adam's spectacular night shot of freezing Romeo instantly into a Jedi master and suddenly transporting him to an eerie alien planet, was indeed awe inspiring. The Mojave Desert was alive with human activity, sparkling into the starry night sky.

It's hard to believe the hustle and bustle of Vegas is only a mere two hour drive from a desert famously known to all film producers and screenwriters,like myself.


If you love the outdoors and looking for something different in tours while in Vegas, experiencing the Mesquite Flat Dunes in Death Valley National Park should definitely be on your bucket list. 

Photo Credit: Visual-Aerials 

PHOTOGRAPHY & VEGAS REVIEWS

Photography is a big part of Vegas Reviews, even though I'm very much considered an amateur, but having the opportunity to meet fun interesting professional photographers, like Adam Pass and my DJI drone friends, Romeo and Mark with Visual-Aerials, it's sure to highlight some of the best photography within Vegas Reviews.


And it's without question, Adams experience in photography exceeds from the "norm" with an exceptional eye for beauty, awe inspiring landscapes along with capturing those 
precious moments.

Photo Credit : Adam Pass

Being able to reach out with social platforms, like Facebook and Twitter, gives writers, photographers and artist the opportunity to connect with each other. Not to mention the immense value of showcasing their expertise. 

This is the difference between Vegas Reviews from the rest, it's more in-depth articles about Vegas and its surrounding Nevada landscape, reaching throughout the State of Arizona and even the tips of California. Vegas Reviews brings you closer to the experiences of the Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon to the inspiring Death Valley featuring photographers, artists and writers.

Aria Landscape - Photo Credit: Bari Demers 

And to continue making Vegas Reviews apart from the rest, our overall reviews of Vegas hotels and entertainment has a style of its own, simply because our motto is about, "Lets have fun in Vegas". 

In short, we only mention the good side of our experiences with each hotel, entertainment or tour adventure. If ever our experience turns out to be terrible, we just never talk about it. 

And trust me there's has been a few.

Photo Credit: Adam Pass

I would like to personal thank Adam Pass for his permission in showcasing his wonderful works of art in photography. Take a moment to check out his website, Adam's Photography. 

It's also a humbling experience to be able to interact with my friends, Romeo and Mark of Visual-Aerials. I truly appreciate their permission too.

If you're interested in showcasing your photos on Vegas Reviews, just message me. 

If your photo or art piece is about Las Vegas, Nevada, Arizona, along with tours and entertainment photos, my blog community of Vegas Lovers are very interested to see and hear about your fun experiences on Vegas Reviews! 


And of course, feel free to pass along to your friends. The more Vegas Lovers, the better!

By Bari Demers

Bari is a Canadian freelance writer/screenwriter who is also considered a Vegas Lover showcasing Vegas Reviews - If he experiences a great time or adventure, expect to hear about the fun he and his wife had,"Going to Vegas since 1989..."

He has worked on several screenplays, such as Agent Sky, Black Angels and Missing. Presently looking into doing his own short film or collaborating with film makers for his screenplays. 

http://jrobbmontana.com 

Touring Death Valley

Photo Credit: Death Valley courtesy of Romeo Durscher 

While in Vegas, even though you can keep yourself busy in Sin City, it's fun to adventure outside Vegas, like a couple of my friends did. 

Most tourist head out to the Grand Canyon or maybe the Hoover Dam, but few think about the 140 mile long Death Valley. 

Death Valley 

Approximately 120 miles from Vegas, Death Valley National Park takes a couple hours each way, so it's best to plan for the whole day. Vegas adventure companies offers tours into Death Valley for around $200 per person by coach or even in a pink jeep.

Photo Credit: Visuals-Aerials

In Death Valley National Park, this past week, Romeo and Mark were scouting Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes and Racetrack Playa with their team mates exploring the incredible Mojave desert landscape. 

What they brought back is picturesque and from a scientific point of view, extremely interesting. For example, how amazing are those "racing" rocks sliding across the valleys dry lake. With some rocks weighing in at 700 lbs, it's hard to believe nature is dragging these babies across the lakebed.

Photo Credit : Romeo Durscher 

But, believe it or not, the mighty force of nature, (Sorry, no Aliens here) is pushing them along at a very slow descent. Scientists believe the lighter rocks have been moved by wind and if the temperature is just right, they will glide across on very thin sheets of ice. But this is only part of the equation and to fully understand their theory, check it out here.

Photo Credit: Adam Pass Photography 

The overall terrain is indeed diverse, with Badwater Basin 282 feet below sea level. In this photo taken by Adam Pass of Romeo Durscher holding a saber,(trick photography) it's customary practice to take a shot standing in the lowest part of the Mojave desert. As you can see Adam Pass is very creative.

If you're adventurous, it only make sense to pay Death Valley National Park a visit on your next trip into Vegas. And the next best thing, if you can't be in Vegas, follow my fun based Vegas Reviews with interesting articles, blogs and photos. 

In Conclusion

I would like to thank Adam Pass, Romeo and Mark for their permission to display the above spectacular photos.

Romeo and Mark, a couple of cool guys, who are themselves highly trained professionals - Romeo works with NASA while Mark is a Lawyer and partner with Fat Monster Films. They run a website called Visual Aerials, using DJI Drones producing amazing footage throughout the world.  Adam is a trained photographer with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography.

Indeed, all their work is inspirational!

They were all part of a Drone Workshop at the Adobe Photoshop World in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Russell (Doc) Brown led the team of experts with hosts, such as Jeff Foster, Colin Guin, Romeo Durscher,Mark Johnson, Adam Pass, Stephen Wheatcraft, Chase Jarvis and Peter Sashe, who all made the two day show a flying success.


By Bari Demers   

About Bari: a freelance writer/screenwriter along with his fun Facebook Page : Vegas Reviews - all about fun, if its not fun, I don't write about it. 

Photo Credit: Bari Demers

#SeeyouinVegas !

How to become Vegas Lovers

The Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas

Vegas Lovers are those people who love everything Vegas has to offer.  It's all about having fun, trying out the abundance of restaurants, great entertainment or enjoying the facilities of your favorite hotel. A little bit of gambling doesn't hurt either.  And let's not forget, the weekend party goers hitting the Vegas clubs in full force, making the most of little time they have.

Problem : So, how do you become a Vegas Lover?

Well, first and foremost you must love going to Vegas.

Solution: Take Vegas in baby-steps. 

In other words, don't try to see Vegas all in one visit. You are sure to burn out fast! Keep coming back every year and if you have the money and ambition, make it three times a year. Otherwise Vegas can become overwhelming, trying to see everything in a one time vacation. 

Problem :  Don't think you're coming to Vegas to make money. The reality 
of gambling is all together something else.

Solution :  If you classify yourself as NOT a professional gambler, like me, 
then take these pointers into consideration. Become a "Healthy Safe 
Gambler".

The thought of winning a jackpot of $2.4 million or even a few thousand can make Vegas a tantalizing dream come true. But the reality of actually winning is just that, a dream. 

Try to think of it this way and you will never leave disappointed. 

Plan Ahead : 

Before going to Vegas, give yourself a certain amount of spending money (cash) that you know ahead of time will be used for playing blackjack, roulette or the slots. Break it down on a daily basis how much of this cash you can spend during your overall stay in Vegas. Make this your "Gambling Budget" and stick to it!

 For example:

Let's say you allow for $350 per day during your 4 days. Once that amount of money is gone, it's time to do something else. Head to the pool, go see the free sights throughout the Vegas Strip or treat yourself to a cheap lunch. 

Not only does this give you time to enjoy other activities of Vegas, it also lets you reflect, take a step back or think how much you have spent in just one day. Even spread your gambling allowance for the day into thirds. And never convince yourself, you'll just use the next days funds to get back on track. Gambling is a tricky web and before you know it, you have spent all your "gambling allowance" in just one day. And worst yet, you're heading for a cash advance on your credit card. Never every do this! Restrict your gambling is the key. 

Problem :  Now, If by luck, you do win some money back ? (Well, not really 
a problem)

Solution :  Think of this money as BONUS MONEY.

What do I do with bonus money? 

Instead of placing it back into the casino, I make a point of treating ourselves to an expensive show or the best fine dining Vegas has to offer. 
Or, if you're frugal enough, tuck it away until you reach home to place back into the bank. Myself, I place my winnings back into the hotel I'm staying at, to make my stay even more enjoyable. 

For the ladies, how about treating yourself to the spa? 

Problem :  How much is too much ?

Solution :  Enjoying Vegas is pretty much like enjoying yourself like any other vacation. With other vacations, you take the time to plan ahead and budget for your stay.  Same with Vegas

Never "break the bank" just to take a quick vacation. Save for it, instead of running up your credit card. Coming back to a ton of bills will only make your vacation seem like a bust and worse yet, you're paying for that vacation years to come, wondering where you went wrong? 

Paris Hotel, Las Vegas

The great thing about Vegas? 

It can be affordable! In Vegas, you can spend only a couple of days and it will feel like a great mini- vacation. You don't have to spend a week in Vegas. That's the beauty about Vegas. Take as many mini-vacations you can afford! 

Problem :  Vegas is overwhelming, what should I do? 

Solution :  The first time or even second and third,  visiting Vegas, you may have the tendency to enjoy everything at once.  It's only natural to think this way, but try your best to absorb Vegas a little at a time.

For Example: 
Your staying at the Luxor Hotel & Casino on the south-side of the strip.  But, now you want to go to a buffet or see an attraction at the Wynn, Las Vegas.  Sure, you can take the deuce bus system or hop on a cab, but then you'll find yourself spending most of your time traveling. Not to mention, riding the deuce bus is like being stuff in a sardine can.

The best way to make your stay more enjoyable?

Stay and do things related to the south side of the Vegas Strip.  On the North end?  Do things related to the North side. Its that simply and less confusing.

Staying on the South side?

You can see as much as you want and go as far as the Bellagio, Las Vegas, just using  the FREE Aria Express.  There are plenty of shops, including  plenty of other hotels to see, such as  Excalibur and MGM Grand, not to mention you're a stones throw away from Mandalay Bay adjoining the new addition of the Delano, Las Vegas.

Problem :  How do I keep up with all what's going on in Vegas ?

Solution :  Keep in touch by joining their "Players Card Club", keep sociable by joining your favorite Vegas Hotel on Facebook and of course join my Vegas Lovers Personal Blog Facebook Page : Vegas Reviews.

In Conclusion :  

Enjoy Vegas as a Vegas Lover is a way to ensure a rich fun based vacation without any regrets.  Ok - so who wants to go to Vegas?  

I do, I do!

By Bari Demers
Personal blogger and freelance writer. Check out my screenplay
http://jrobbmontana.com