Travel Log Part 2

Post script to Saturday.  On Saturday I got asked to dance by a guy named Jose he was drench in sweat but friendly enough.  I think it was a bet to see if I would and normally I would have jumped at the chance regardless but my feet were killing me from standing on my new shoes.  However, he convinced me and then was sorry as I kind of blew him away.  It was fun and funny and since I am recording this for my own senility I thought I better not forget that detail.

Sunday.  On Sunday things were calmer on Sunday and slightly melancholy as approaches the end but those who remain really area all about the music and this is a good thing.  I had been waiting for Sunday because I wanted to see Kim Lenz more than anything and I really enjoyed the All Stars last year and was excited to see what this year held.

K. wanted to get out so we got up on Sunday and went to the Strip.  We visited the gardens at the Bellagio and loitered about Caesar's Place before returning in time for a retro slide show tour of DisneyLand! with Charles Phoenix it was awesome and made me green at the thought of being able to visit Disneyland as day trip kind of attraction.  Living in Canda it is the story of most kids elementary school lives to get to go to Disneyland.

Next up was the jiving contest.  It was packed in the ballroom but I found a place to capture the scene -however the energy seemed to be kind of stalled. It was not at all what I was expecting but from what I understand things this year were rather atypical and that usually it is more exciting.  The couple who won were super cute though and we saw them later when we came downstairs to see Kim Lenz.

That night I wanted to be comfortable so I put on my good old black halter dress and some sparkly accessories.  We were meeting up with a guy we met on Friday night but he was way more interested in talking to K than me so I was mostly worried about getting downstairs late.  However, we were early and K. was less than impressed but it was all worth it.  Kim Lenz is as awesome in person as she is on her CDs and look at that cute skirt!

Next up were the All Stars which was MC'd by Big Sandy. I was thrilled to hear Clyde Stacy sing Honky Tonk Hardwood Floor, Al Hendrix looked cool in his fedora and I really enjoyed seeing Young Jessie, and Roddy Jackson.  The thing that made it even better though was all these performers were back by what they call the "house band" which also includes some of the best players in the hotel that weekend all of whom appeared to be as excited and happy as the crowd.  It was cool to see Deke Dickerson playing saxophone (like what can't he play), Ashley Kingman, Bobby Trimble from the Fly-Rite boys up there as well .  I was pretty wore out though at this point and closed up shop at this point in favor of getting some rest.

Monday, was gorgeous but my feet were in severe need of rehab at this point.  I did a pretty good job of not getting them blistered (I am predisposed to this) but it was like they had carpet burn or something.  I had soaked them in cold water in the hotel room but that didn't help enough.  The real solution came when I put on my new favorite summer sundress and headed down to the pool where after finding a shady spot in the deserted paradise I soaked my feet in the lovely cool water for the better part of an hour waiting for K to come downstairs.  It seems she was not feeling well though and never made it.  I had been all set to do some power shopping that day but in the end we ended up going back to the strip late in the day and seeing the northern part of the strip up to about Circus Circus where it gets all creepy.  From there we caught the bus and I finally got to see Freeemont Street! which was awesome we stopped on the way back to get some food and made it back to the hotel at last to crawl done the long hallway one more time.

We checked out and left for home the next AM.

Vegas on Friday

So we thought maybe we'd go a show if we could find tickets so we headed to the strip after having some in room coffee (thank-you Starbucks VIA), yogurt and granola bars.  We found the ticket place but they had nothing but we made a bit of a tour of the strip and I became immediately smitten with the tile floors in the Bellagio and decided I was glad not to be staying on the strip.

We got back to the hotel and then felt it was definitely time to open up that 3 dollar wine and put it to good use with our in room OJ -delish...

I was still not at 100% so I had a nap and sister went out to make new friends.  I got up and got ready for the shows that night.  Originally was trying to get to the Charles Phoenix slide show but alas it was not to be as I panicked trying to locate my sister and the car rental papers.  I made though with plenty of time to see one of my favorite acts of the weekend The Royal Deuces absolutely awesome followed next by the lovely Marti Brom. 

Got back to the Rio in time for some drama with lost sister but all in all it was a great day despite my lack luster energy levels.

Vegas Thursday

Okay so first a confession…I haven’t been to the USA since I was a kid and I have been reading blogs like ljcfyi for years and wishing I could go to Trader Joe’s and Target and try on Old Gringo cowboy boots. So, Thursday morning I got up and we went down and had breakfast in the hotel. Pecan berry French toast with bacon & coffee for me and something saltier for sister with her eggs over hard. Then it was off to Target to get some odds & ends.

Some things to note is that cellphone coverage even for texting is totally outrageous in the US and the pay as you go phones don’t all work with international coverage immediately and require a phone call to set up.

We go some groceries and a kettle for $10 and went back to the room to put it all in the fridge. Sister decided to go off to the strip to see what she could see and I decided to have nap as I was not my usual self due to events beyond my control. When I was feeling better I got up and went on my own adventure with the car locating Decatur and travelling to the far end to go first to Trader Joe’s to purchase my first and only bottle of 2 buck chuck (now 3). I also got some fruit and cheese and delighted in all the things I had never seen before. Feeling renewed from not getting lost I decided to venture on and made my way to the local fabric store because I had always wanted to see what it was like in a Hancock’s. I got some buttons and ribbon and then made my way to Sheplers to spy out the boot selection. I found myself a cute peasant blouse with embroidery and then took a drive past the Orleans on the way back to the Rio to make sure I was ready for the evening.

Sister made it back about the same time as me and we commenced getting ready. We curled her hair and pinned her bangs and I put on my old favorite black halter dress and she wore my cute polka dot dress. Everyone looked smashing and we wore impractical shoes because well we knew we could only stand them for one evening. As it turns out we couldn’t even stand them for that and ended up buying some new shoes from a vendor at the show that night. I used the valet parking for the first of many times and decided that I should probably have tipped when they brought the car back but whatever I was thrilled to be there.

Now for the story I wanted to mention all weekend…we got our wristbands and I paid no mind to the thing but later in the evening I was to discover that mine was numbered 666…so here I was at Viva 13 with my 666 wristband my sister couldn’t believe it and said that’s what I get for being such a goodie goodie.

I was on a mission though to get upstairs to the ballroom and when we got there the Rip Em Ups were tearing it up. I was immediately smitten with the saxophone player and decided whatever happened after this it was all icing.

So my sister then went in search of a collector boot while I waited by the stage because for me there is just no one that compares to Big Sandy and the Flyrite Boys. They did not disappoint and played Love that Man near the end with just that perfect hint of sarcasm.

We headed back to the hotel not too long after that as it had been a busy day and there was sure to be another tomorrow.

vegas vacation preflight and planes trains and automobiles

okay let's look back way way back to Monday when I finished work...I got home went to pilates and then came home too exhausted to think beyond damn I am so not ready to go that I think I will try to sew some more on my sundress.

then came Tuesday...got up early went and got my skin fine tuned and did some last minute shopping but found nothing helpful...got dressed up and head to the home town to help get lil' sister ready and attend an another event with my mom...drove home late and thought damn I still not ready to go.

so then it was Wednesday woke up early again determined to be ready...gave up on the dress...went to look for jeans and a new suitcase as I was now sure I need more room...found both and ran back home to pack like the wind...ended up bringing a lot of things I didn't need but when my sister's BF came to pick me up it all worked out.

we got to the airport on time took off our shoes so customs could x-ray them and then filled out our forms so we could depart...we took the little plane that could to Seattle on got off and were totally amazed at Seattle airport and the train between gates...we then got on a regular 737 and made our way to Vegas! we arrived late took a train again to the baggage claim and then a bus to car and were on our way to our hotel!  I got a little scared with all the reflective lane bumps on the road and ended up in the wrong lane and got pulled over by a police lady but she let me go after determining that I was too awestruck to care whether she gave me a ticket or not.

next I found parking in a larger than life miracle and we walked the 6 miles to the front desk at the Rio...all good we had arrived and our room was on the 16th floor in the Masquerade tower!