Little Known Las Vegas Haunt: Cathedral Canyon

by Justin Glow on

Cathedral Canyon is a “small natural canyon which has been transformed into a rambling grotto of icons, statues, and text panels,” notes the Center for Land Use Interpretation — an on-line database of “unusual and exemplary sites” in the United States.

Roland Wiley, a Las Vegas lawyer, purchased 15,800 acres in the desert and called it Hidden Hills Ranch. For the next thirty years, Mr. Wiley would drive out from Las Vegas and work on Cathedral Canyon, which has a variety of sketchy theme park-like items with religious, social, and political undertones. “No nation or race can prosper,” reads the sign posted to a fence, “until it learns that there is as much dignity in tilling the soil…. as in writing the poem.” (This is almost a Booker T. Washington quote.) Many bizarre sculptures and statues exist throughout the “park,” including what looks to be a replica of the Golden Gate Bridge (above).

Cathedral Canyon is open to the public. It’s located 40 miles southwest of Las Vegas, and 15 miles southeast of Pahrump, Nevada. For exact directions on how to get there, check out this site.

Apparently it’s best to visit at night. Creepy.

GADLING’S TAKE FIVE: Week of December 24

by Adrienne Wilson on

Before you start rattling off with excuses about how the family was visiting from Buffalo or how you got tied up under the mistletoe, please do me one small favor. Spare the sob story. I don’t care why you couldn’t get here or what could have been more important than getting your travel fix, but you’re lucky that I’m nice and feeling the holiday spirit for I’m giving you the gift of checking out what you missed!

5. Would You Like Polonium With That?:
Folks following the case of the Russian spy that was poisoned might be interested in filling their mouths with the very same cuisine the spy was noshing on when things went awry and sour in his stomach. Iva informs us that the Itsu in London isn’t doing so well at the moment and one can understand why, but the newest location in NYC is thriving. Someone daring enough to try the hamachi?

4. He’s BaaaaaacK! Michael Jackson in Vegas:
I’m not going to say a whole lot here. Erik already did a fine job of that, but in short the King of Pop shall be performing in Vegas. C’mon you know and I know you’re dying to see Mike!

3. Emirates Airlines to Allow Cell Phone Talk on Flights:
Starting in January 2007, Emirates Airlines will be the first to allow cell phones use during flights. If you’re not a fan of cell phones in general or someone babbling in your ear it may be time to invest in some ear plugs.

2. Expense Reports: The Bane of Travel Writers:
Okay, this is funny because if you’ve ever needed a receipt for any job, not just travel writing you can relate. Expense reports are just not fun, but such is what must be done when traveling on the company’s dollar.

1. Not Taking Vacation! Shame on You!:
This is too hard to believe. There are people (American people) who actually don’t take their vacation days off. It is just jaw-dropping. We’re not saying take the one or two weeks and go to Tonga, but geez, give yourself the opportunity to kick back at home and watch the Discovery Channel for crying out loud. Take a break!

GADLING’S TAKE FIVE: Week of December 3

by Adrienne Wilson on

Time to wrap up the week that was with some of our some very tasty and foul entries.

5. How to Have A Bad Time in New York City:
Sad to say, but everyone who arrives in NYC doesn’t have a great time which is not a reflection of the city by any means. Instead it goes to show how much homework time they invested in seeing the Big Apple the right way. To avoid having a bad time on your first trip in try giving this article here a spin.

4. Find a Grave Tourism:
Over the last year or so I’ve been attracted to cemeteries for many reasons and thankfully none of which were to attend a funeral. When Neil posted this plug on finding graves of celebrities or even your own special loved ones I thought how cool! Not that I go stalking the dead on a regular basis, but there is so much history in grave yards. Anyhow, if this sounds like your sort of thing too then go take a look.

3. Low Rollers Guide to Vegas:
Looking to go to Vegas on a tight budget? Head to Downtown Las Vegas where Low Rollers remain Low Rollers and save a little pocket change.

2. No Lights on Flights:
Passing on gas on planes probably won’t earn the kind of fame and stardom you’re seeking in life, but lighting a match to your flatulence will. Read the tale about common sense lost and a plane grounded when a woman tries to cover her smelly toots from her caboose.

1. Smile! You’ve Been Secretly Profiled!:
For some folks being spied on is a high honor that shows someone really cares, but for others it is enough to boil the blood stream and do nutty things. What kind of nutty things? I don’t know for sure, but it sounds as though the government has been secretly collecting data on domestic and international travelers for the last four years. Flattered yet? What they’ve managed to soak up and put in your own personal folder may be of interest to you. Check it out.

Burning Man Time Almost Here

by Adrienne Wilson on

Neil’s Burning Man POTD pick a few days back inspired me. Not to go, but to point Burning Man fanatics (if any) to this Miami Herald piece. I’ve wanted to attend the bizarre art show and hippie fest in the past, but I’m a little more reserved these days. Not talking about drugs either. I’m just not in the mood for thousands of topless women kicking up desert dust in bicycle parades, because you really must be in the mood for those types of shenanigans. It’s just a weird place, psychedelic and way far out.

Burning Man is an annual festival taking place in Black Rock City in the desert right outside of Reno, NV. Burners will pay an entrance fee of $185 to $280 and spend a week intoxicated or high off of life until the week end where they will dance and do whatever pleases them in the night as a 40 ft. wooden man is scorched in flames to the ground. A friend of mine went last year and had an incredible time, but like I said you certainly have to be in the mood and know what you’re getting into. If you’ve never been before and something I’ve mentioned here managed to strike a nerve you may wish to further explore this short read.

Makes me think of Ring around the Rosie… “Ashes, ashes they all fall down.”