Gaming, that's a fancy word the folks out west have come up with to make it seem like you are having more fun than you really are. When I was a kid, I'd drop quarter after quarter into the PacMan game at the local pizza place. I'd use the joystick to eat the dots and chase the ghosts (Shadow, Bashful, Speedy, and Pokey) and rack up the points. Someone much smarter than me, came up with the idea to call slot machines, and other "games of chance" gaming, instead of gambling. In fact, the regulatory body is the Nevada Gaming Commission. This way, you don't feel as bad when you lose money in the machine, since you played a "game."

Anyhow, one of the most memorable experiences from the trip was a helicopter ride to the Grand Canyon. We left the hotel and went to the airport in Boulder City where we boarded the chopper. It sat seven - three in the front (including the pilot) and four in the back. One of the passengers had never been in a helicopter before - and was scared to death. I've been in Sky 13 on a few occasions, and am thrilled to go up any time I can.

We took off and flew over Lake Mead and Hoover Dam. Back in 1999, I was able to take a tour of Hoover Dam, and it's such an impressive structure. I was able to go inside and see the turbines which power much of Nevada and Southern California. After 9/11, much of this area was closed off to tourists. One interesting note, even though the dam was completed in 1935, the concrete is still curing.

From there, we flew along the west rim of the canyon, past the SkyWalk. This is the horseshoe-shaped glass walkway that the Hualapai Indian tribe unveiled in March 2007. It's a glass walkway that protrudes 65 feet over the canyon. The walls and floor are built from 4-inch thick glass. Since this was on the reservation, we just flew past, and continued down the canyon.

After a 20-minute flight along the Colorado River, we set down at the base of the canyon for a light lunch, and were able to walk around and take pictures. It was truly amazing to see this wonder of nature - this vast gorge the river has carved out over millions of years.

From there, we flew back to the airport, over thousands of acres of untouched land. It's harsh land, where no one wants to build. Those that have attempted it have left after a few years. But flying high above, it made me realize just how much land is left out there to explore - how much space there is left on our planet that few men have tread.