When in Vegas...

When in Vegas...Go to Bass Pro Shop. "What?" I know what you're thinking. You're wondering why, with all the sights to see in Vegas, why would we want to go to a fish store? Because we like to fish!

Although we like the small local fly shops, Cabela's and Sportsmen's Warehouse, we'll visit any fishing shop if we know about it. I looked on the Internet for any local fly shops and found there is a Bass Pro Shop just south of the Las Vegas Strip. We had a gift certificate from our retirement celebration and Rick needed a new fly line, so off we went to tour the store.

I'd read about a free show at the Silverton Casino that was supposed to be an interactive fish feeding at the casino's aquarium. Sounded good to us and we realized that the Silverton was connected to Bass Pro Shop. Sounded like a nice afternoon to us! We walked around the store, enjoyed all the displays and small aquarium and Rick found a couple items we needed. In the transition area between the store and the casino there's a very big waterfall and canyon setting that connects the 2 businesses.

The large aquarium was right outside the perimeter of the Bass Pro Shop. While we waited for the fish feeding to start, we spent a little time looking at the huge floor to ceiling aquarium full of tropical fish. As we were watching, and taking a few photos, we saw a scuba diver drop in from the top. And then something at the back of the aquarium that looked like a big fish. Lo and behold, it was a mermaid! Reminicent of childhood vacations at WickiWachee Springs in Florida when I was a kid. Although we didn't see anyone feed the fish, the scuba diver appeared to be inspecting and cleaning the coral formations and the mermaid put on a interactive show with the kids who had gathered to watch.