Las Vegas Flashback ~ October 25, 2013

Rod describes the drive from Bakersfield to Las Vegas as miles and miles of miles and miles. Truer words were never spoken, but the desert has magic and mystery at every turn.

Too often I would hear men boast of the miles covered that day,

rarely of what they had seen.

Louis L'Amour

Photo Credit ~ http://trailofcrumbsblog.wordpress.com

Arrived in Las Vegas in the early afternoon and were immediately introduced to the "Spaghetti Bowl". We may complain about Bay Area roads, but nothing holds a candle to this maze. Driving on city streets in Vegas is no picnic either so we decided then and there to leave Pearl parked at the hotel for the weekend. Time to walk, take a taxi or hop the monorail to get around town.

Picked up the event tickets at the Thomas and Mack Center at UNLV and headed east to find our hotel. In the 4500 block of Las Vegas Boulevard we stopped in our tracks at the site of the "Pink Elephant" Motel.  

circa 1962

 circa 2013

Circa 2013 

A mere 27 years ago we spent our second night as Mr. and Mrs. here, in what we've always described as the quintessential dive. The only difference today is that it's now listed on the Roadside America website as an Offbeat Tourist Attraction. Rumor has it the elephant came from Disney World and used to trumpet loudly, but after causing several accidents the owner was told to remove the sound mechanism. Can we pick 'em or what?

Once settled at the Las Vegas Hotel (LVH) we had a bite to eat and left for the event. We ask the concierge about getting a taxi to the venue. He points to the place to be and said "tell the driver not to take the Strip, it's the long way around". Taxis charge by the time it takes you to get where you're going and this city has really long signals.

Thomas and Mack has at least 50 steps up to the front entrance. On the left side of the staircase is an escalator. We started up the stairs and a gentleman standing nearby said "You might want to consider taking the escalator, its the one free thing you'll get in Las Vegas." We decided on the stairs because we wanted some exercise, but after three days in Vegas we got his point. Our seats were up another 77 stairs overlooking the center of the arena. Needless to say our knees got some exercise over the weekend.  

The defending world champion Silvano Alves arrived in Vegas with a 538.5 point lead over J.B. Mauney and then J.B. took the lead by 30.75 points after Round 2 on Thursday. Silvano reclaimed the No. 1 position tonight by 19.75 points. The fans are going nuts as the suspense builds, the atmosphere is electric. The bulls are also vying for a world championship. Will be it be Asteroid or Bushwacker?

 

                            

Add to the mix and the world's greatest (singing and dancing) rodeo clown, Flint Rasmussen, and you've got the total package, pure entertainment every night of the event.

After letting the crowd thin a bit we head out to get a taxi back to the hotel. There are only 500 people in a line. It took over an hour but it was a balmy 70 degrees and we had a great conversation with a couple from Quebec who had flown in for a birthday celebration. Once back at the hotel we grabbed a bite to eat and unwound in the casino for a bit. Well tomorrow is here, we best get some shuteye.



Day 4 ~ Coming Home

One of the things that always impresses me about driving across Nevada is that it seems there is only endless open space between you and the edge of the world (I found this incredible photograph after I wrote the words).

"Nevada's Edge'

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When you finally reach that edge you realize it is a set of bluffs, or foothills or a mountain. The climb brings you to yet another crest and once again you are facing endless open space. It's a wondrous land: beautiful and dangerous, charming and unforgiving. Imagine coming across this vastness in a covered wagon or on horseback. 

"Magestic Mountains"

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Visualize the emotions of reaching the Sierra's after endless miles of the sagebrush sea. A rare breed of fearless men and women explored, travelled and settled in this land including, I'm proud to say, some of my own hardy ancestors.   

When we drove from Reno to Elko on the way to the Gathering it was late afternoon and the sun was already behind the Sierras. The desert was beautiful but monochromatic.

"Nevada Desert"

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When we hit the road this morning we are immediately taken by all the colors we missed coming in. The desert is now backlit with the rising sun and is totally three dimensional. Some of the hills and outcroppings are vivid colors, some black as coal. Some look like they have indeed been there for an eternity and others look as though they were just delivered. The landscape plays with your mind and your eyes.

"Nevada Mountains"

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One thing I forgot to mention is that we saw the legendary singer/songwriter Ian Tyson on Thursday. Though in his mid-70's now he continues to ranch, tour, record and write. Carol purchased his new book "The Long Trail" about his life. As we started the 300 mile journey to Reno she began to read it aloud. When the scenery was too good to miss I'd let her know and she'd put it down for awhile.

We stopped in Reno for gas and lunch and were treated to a hit and run hail storm. Once back on the road the weather lightened up and Carol read until dusk, then we listened to music the rest of the way home. I'm now after Carol to finish the book so that I can bring it home to finish the story.

A great adventure and plans for next year are already on the calendar. Life is short, take time out to experience something new and at the same time old. You won't regret it.

The Road to Elko, Nevada

I've never been one for Interstate Highways, I've always preferred roads less travelled, the blue highways on maps. We were, however, on a 550 mile mission to reach Elko by early evening so that meant Interstate 80 was our choice.

Once you leave California and in particular Reno it's a whole different world, one of wonder and wide open spaces. The speed limit is 75 and calls for cruise control, a real treat for a California Girl corralled at 65 most of the time.

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This is rough country ~ ruled by the elements and settled by a hardy breed of men and women who prefer rurality. The cowboys call it the "sagebrush sea" a land that is both desolate and beautiful, quiet and alive, charming and dangerous, and not for the faint of heart.

  

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My travelling partner Carol and I are just getting to know each other, brought together by our late friend Trisha. A mutual friend of ours, poet and teacher Ken Rodgers, just published a new book of poetry called Passenger Pigeons. Carol brought it along and read it aloud. It was a great way to pass the time and when the scenery got spectacular she'd stop for a while and we'd just enjoy the road. By the time we reached Elko we'd finished to book.

We arrived in the early evening, unpacked, had some dinner and played the penny slots for a bit before hitting the hay around midnight. Thursday was going to be an event filled adventure beyond my expectations.