Ahoy mateys, I had to whip up a little 5 Minute
Chocolate Mug Cake to celebrate going to the most
amazing vacation spot
PIRATE'S COVE
right outside of Las Vegas, overlooking Lake Mead.
It is almost always Summer Time down in Las Vegas.
I also have to celebrate,
this is my 200th post! Next week is
my one year anniversary too (and to think that I told Joni
that I didn't want to be committed to something!!!) I will put them
together and have a nice giveaway next week.
Pirate's Cove is a private residence
built by Craig Tilletson that can be rented out.
You can watch a YouTube video with the manager talking about
the property by going to this spot.
Imagine taking Nevada desert and transforming it into
a five home oasis with multiple pools and hot tubs -
ending up looking like
this
and this
and especially this. Talk about a metamorphosis! This is really
the most amazing place.
This is one of three main pools. This one is a
shipwrecked ship. You travel down through this ship on a
mega slide, part of it in the dark, whipping around a
wild corner or two and listening to the music
from Pirates of the Caribbean.
This is like living in the Disney ride.
All pirates end up by splashing into this pool.
Everywhere you look is a place you can jump from.
(Son in law and granddaughter.)
(Rachel's son)
Swing on the rope swing
into the pool, watch out for pirates below.
For the daredevils,
you can jump off the huge masts into the same pool.
(My youngest son)
(My grandson)
For lesser daredevils you can also
jump off the rock waterfall.
Quick, jump before that octopus gets you!
You really can't take in all the details in this place.
I think there were some parts of the property
we didn't even see.
Unlike many pools, you are encouraged to jump,
it is a jumper's heaven!
Here's another wonderful pool with a beach edge.
There is a swimup bar under the arches.
This pool has a milder slide leading into it.
(Daughter and grandson)
This slide was great for the little ones.
The water was so warm it was like bath water.
(Daughter in law and granddaughter)
Everyone posed for pictures in this pool!
(Left to right - Emily's daughter, my granddaughter,
Rachel's daughter, my granddaughter)
Even these mermaids stopped for a photo!
(My granddaughter)
(Daughter in law and granddaughter)
(Friend's daughters)
Mermaids were willing to pose in the other pool too
(Two granddaughters, daughter in law and me)
and in the hot tub overlooking Lake Mead.
(Thank you to my dear friend Emily
for taking this photo of us mermaids and
a few of the other shots I used.)
This hot tub is up by the third pool where you can watch
an outdoor movie at night while swimming or indulge
in soft serve ice cream or slushies.
( Can't believe we didn't get any photos of us eating
the cones or slushies - too busy pigging out I guess!)
This little grandson was not that into photos - too busy,
but he sure liked the swimming, sliding and ice cream.
This isn't called Pirate's Cove for nothing. Life size pirates
are everywhere.
The captain waves to you from his balcony,
while a wench watches over the shipwreck pool.
Alas, this poor wench is being forced
to walk the plank.
Just like Disney's Pirates, this prisoner is motion activated.
He begins shaking his keys
to try and get the dog's attention.
At night, the torches and fire pits get turned on. It just gets
more and more beautiful.
(I couldn't get over all of the landscaped waterfalls.)
This is the newest "house" at Pirate's Cove. I love
the rooftop gazebo at night all lit up.
In all there are 20 bedrooms.
Each house has a kitchen and gathering area - 3 main
houses with a casita, a massive workout gym, theater
room and a raquetball court - huge!
Isn't the color of the shipwreck pool and adjoining
hot tub gorgeous at night?
The rooms are all gorgeously appointed and unique.
There is so much here, you just can't capture it all.
This is the Voodoo bedroom. Our little kids didn't want
to sleep here, but it was fun to look at.
There's even a Captain's table to sit down at when you
come to the end of a long, fun-filled day,
and pirate mugs to make some of our chocolate cake in.
I ordered the chocolate cake at the Blue Bayou in
Disneyland's Pirates of the Caribbean and it comes with
this great gum paste mast and sail that is edible.
I just had to bring it home and make my own cake to
go with it. You could make any cake, but I decided
to make the Chocolate Mug Cake and frost it
with Nutella.
Chocolate Mug Cake
In bowl whisk together
1/4 C. flour
1/4 C. sugar
2 T. cocoa powder
In another bowl whisk
1 egg
3 T. vegetable oil
3 T. milk
Mix the two together with a whisk and stir in 3 T.
semi-sweet chocolate chips. Pour into a microwave
safe mug (or dish) that has been sprayed with baking Pam.
Place in microwave 3 minutes depending on your mug
size or less if you are baking it in a shallow dish like mine-
mine was cooked in just 2 minutes.
Remove and frost as desired.
I love this for a perfect made-for-one treat, quick as can be.
Shiver me timbers, it tastes great and soooo quick -
5 minutes total!
We also made another one and put caramel on it while
it was hot. Yum!
Yes, we found the party!
If you ever get a chance, visit Pirate's Cove.
I tried to find the website for renting,
I know it is really pricey, but couldn't find it.
They had a card in the room, but I didn't
bring one home.
Thanks James and Rachel for inviting us along!
(James is our good friend, neighbor, and the architect
and engineer for all of
Pirate's Cove, including the pools - great job James.)
I will be sailing over to post this at
