The closer we got, the more we were filled with extreme anticipation as we rounded every turn, hoping this would be the moment that its image would appear before our very eyes. We knew we were almost there when we arrived at a security check point, was asked of our intentions and then waved on. We had talked about coming here for the past twenty years that we have been together and now in less than a mile we’d finally be there. Suddenly as if it had jumped out from behind the hill side, there it was – The Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge and the Hoover Dam. How massive both of these structures appeared as they stood. We quickly found a place to park our car and immediately walked back to the Hoover dam and stood.
There were no chain link fences to keep people from sitting on the retaining walls. Why clutter a breathtaking man made marvel with fencing and endless signage. No police to tell you to stand back or don’t look over the edge. I guess in their minds, if someone is going to jump, then they are going to jump. They had simply stenciled on the stonewall area only (see picture to the left), on both sides of the road way going over the Dam, about every fifteen feet: DANGER KEEP OFF WALL. I guess if you can't figure that out, then someone is going to get hurt. (The white edges in the picture to the left indicated how much the water table has dropped).
We had made it just before the sun had officially gone down. However it was after hours and the gift shop and parking garage area were closed so we had to park in an area after crossing over the Dam. It was crazy to think that we were driving and then walking back and forth between time zones and on such a ginormous structure. My husband enjoys many of the Discovery and History Channel shows, such as Modern Marvels, Pawn Stars, Gold Rush, How’d They Do That?, etc. His favorite documentary was on the Construction of the Pat Tillman Bridge. It was because of this show, his wish was to drive across it, but time only graced us with the ability to enjoy its grand statement while standing on the Hoover Dam. We decided it would be another item added to our to-do list, but next time our boys will be with us. We just didn't realize that we would be making this trip twice in the same year and so, our boys and dear friends of ours will get to experience the same awe inspiring moment soon.
Now feeling a bit Jet lagged and extremely hungry, we made our way back over the hills of the Boulder City towards Las Vegas to witness the glow of light that was born into a marvelous abundance of city lights. There were dancing signs, huge billboard advertisements of the most current headliners and Vegas shows blended in a stew with the hippest of Night Clubs and Resorts that all were decked out in the most intense and trance inducing multicolored illumination. It was AWESOME! It was truly the city of lights, with an electric bill that I personally would never want to pay.
When we arrived back to our hotel, we chose to eat at the MGM Grand Buffett. Now I don’t know if it was because it was ten o’clock at night or if the buffet was just that disappointing. Honestly, if we had to make a choice we would rather have eaten at the Country Buffet here in our home town. The meats were good, and some of the side dishes were fine, and the coffee was not only excellent, it was addicting. For the most part, we can say that we ate at the highly advertised Grand Buffet, but for $65.00 it was a not so grand meal. It could be all in preference or taste and everyone is different, but for us, next time you’ll find us at the either at the Mad Onion in the Hooters Casino and Resort or Gallagher’s Steakhouse located in the New York, New York Casino and Resort. My reviews on both of these places…AWESOME FOOD! AWESOME STAFF! And for Gallagher’s don’t bother getting a side dish if you get the cowboy rib-eye or the king cut prime rib these steaks are HUGE and that is no lie! It is so phenomenal that I am posting the link now. http://www.gallaghersnysteakhouse.com/locationsfranchising-lasvegas.html
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| New York, New York Casino & Resort |
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| Hooters - The Mad Onion is the resturant to the left of the picture. And it is true...prime rib for only $9.95 and it was delicious |
Even with the meal at the Buffet not as grand as we hoped, we ate and then made our way back to our room, being only sidetracked for about a half-an-hour by an oversized two seat nickel slot machine. It was a great day and our time had only just begun on our four day trip of business and pleasure. Still being on Eastern Standard Time we were up at 3:00 AM Vegas time and started our Friday with room service and their delicious Columbian coffee. In four hours we would take advantage of more free time and enjoy horseback riding in the red rock canyon for the morning, then we would come back, shower and then head out to complete my registration forms for the book-to-screen "Pitchfest Las Vegas 2012" in the MGM Grand Ballroom at 5:00 pm and then my sweetheart and I would take part in the opening remarks and meet and greet cocktail gathering held in the upper level of the convention center that overlooked the Wet Republic club and the MGM Grand skyline.
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| Horseback Riding - Bonnie Springs |
Now for those of you keeping up with my blogs that also include stories about my family and their personalities, and for those of you just tuning in. It’s important to know this key tid-bit of information – my husband is the biggest country cowboy I know, so understand my utter disbelief when not only did he drive the highway when he jumped behind the wheel of our hot sports car, he took ownership of the roads both in the city and out. Even more shocking, he never complained once about the traffic or other drivers. If I had to place a bet, I’d say this man has more mysteries to him that the whereabouts of Noah’s Ark.
With the exception of the cocktail party, the remainder of my business schedules did not offer family accompaniment, which made me rather nervous when Saturday morning was quickly upon us. I was not nervous that my husband was off doing his own thing as I was so happy that he felt confident enough to go out and venture into the hustle of the Las Vegas Strip and I was so excited when he called me and told me that he had driven by the Pawn Stars Shop, which is a family favorite when watching television. He had remarked about both of us going back on Sunday to see inside, but knowing first had what a missed opportunity feels like I shared with him that this was a time just for him and he should go in so he could say “Hey everyone, I’ve been in that store” when it comes on television. I was ecstatic when I saw him later in the day and he told me all about it. So now I can say – “Hey everyone, my husband went into the Pawn Stars location where they film the show and he can tell you all about how some things are different than they appear. On Sunday he did take me, but the store didn’t open until nine, but I did get a picture of him outside. As much as I would have liked to have seen the inside, I wanted this to be his moment, his memory of something he did by himself. You could see in the twinkle of his eyes and his extra special smile - he was so proud, as was I.
He had also gone to a huge gift shop that was another one of his - We have to go and see it places. We are the type of couple that where ever we go, we have to bring something back for someone. He was insistant that this was the place to find all those special treasures. I thought that maybe he was just excited about all the goodies that he had found - I was wrong. This place was as massive and as marvelous as he had explained. I loved that place! He was so right! $95.00 later, we had gifts for family members so they could say they had their piece of Vegas too. One item that we found to be rather impressive, and we had seen on the move "The Hangover", the four foot drink cup with straw and strap. Only five bucks, but wasn't something we wanted to lug around in the airport, so instead I got another great picture to show friends and family that it wasn't just a movie prop. The drink cup really does exist. If you get one with alcohol in it, there is ten shots in it. Finish one of these bad boys and your finished.
So what was I really nervous about…that the business reasons for being in Vegas would turn out to be nothing more than a big façade and that I was being scammed in some way to believe that "Pitch Fest Las Vegas" was going to make all my big dreams come true. I guess that happens when you have been lied to and burned so much in a life span; you tend to lose your ability to trust even the most honest words. I tend to create a worst case scenario in my head so that if it is that bad, I don’t get so upset. Yes, I guess I over think things. Read my book and you’ll understand why.
The time had come. I was registered and dressed to kill. I was proud that I was wearing my little black dress and I had on the Diamond and Emerald Jewelry that my sweetie had purchased for me for Christmas. I will admit as we entered the doors to the party I was briefly star stuck and felt like we were a glamours couple coming to see our fans. Funny what our imaginations can do to our minds. It was then, as we held hands - it all began.
To be continue
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