2018 - Christmas-New Years

We decided to do our running around early in the day because they are going to start blocking off streets around Las Vegas Blvd this afternoon.  Had breakfast at the Cracked Egg (one of our favorite breakfast spots in the country).  Filled up with gas at the downtown Costco because a lot of the stations will be closed on New Year's Day.  Usually a full tank here will get us to Fernley (last cheap gas before we hit Reno).  Hopefully, people will sleep in tomorrow and we won't have any traffic to contend with (hey, I can dream, can't I). Fun people watching in the casino.  People are starting to celebrate early and their various dress codes are interesting to say the least.  I would love to take pictures of some of them, but I think they might take it the wrong way :-).  Lunch was a frozen yogurt down near the Bally's Sports Book and then we had a great dinner at the Steak.  Sat at our favorite location (the bar) and enjoyed conversation with the ...

Quiet day in Las Vegas.  Decided to just stay at Bally's.  Breakfast at the snack bar and then lunch at the Burgers Brassiere to watch some football. Looks beautiful outside, but it's still cold (high is only expected to be around 50.  Clear blue sky!

We decided to take a ride in the country today.  Started north on I-15 toward Nellis and had breakfast at IHOP just outside the base.  Did some shopping at the base and then headed north to Mesquite.  We wanted to see what Mesquite had to offer.  It's right on the SW border of Utah and is a gambling mecca.  Population is 15,000, but we weren't impressed with the town.  Doesn't have much to offer except several casinos, a new Walmart, and a couple of golf courses along the Virgin River (not much of a river today). Had a late lunch at the casino and then drove back to Las Vegas.  Boy, are the highways crowded.  We found a way around most of the traffic, but it looks like it's going to be a very crowded city during the next few days. Cool and windy all day, but looks like it should be nice for the next couple of days.

We left Laughlin early this morning after breakfast at Harrah's.  Decided to get gas at Costco up in Henderson, so we finished our audio book and started a new one.  Hardly any traffic until we got to Las Vegas suburbs and then it was just sheer madness. Stopped at Costco on the south end of town for gas and to get my sunglasses repaired (the lens popped out).  Checked in at Bally's but the room wasn't available so we did some errands and had a bite to eat at Einstein's Bagels.  Vi was successful in getting a beautiful room on the 20th floor overlooking the ferris wheel.  Should be able to see some of the fireworks on NYE from here, but we're not sure where we will be at midnight. Did some gambling and then had dinner at an Asian restaurant on the way to Paris.  Checked out Paris, but then came back to Bally's.  It's really crowded and the multitude of languages is amazing.  Lots of people in town for NYE

Got up early to play golf at Huukan Golf Course with Hank.  Breakfast in Beach Café and then met Hank in the parking lot.  Cool morning, but no wind.  Even though it was cold, the course was crowded.  They had had a frost delay earlier in the day, so that backed things up a bit.  Fun day.  Did much better on the back nine - must have been using the front nine for practice.  Course was in good shape, although the fairways still need some work.  Tee areas and greens were great, although the greens had been dyed so that they were a uniform green Vi and Diane spent the morning together and then we met them at the Golden Nugget for lunch. Vi and Diane had eaten earlier at the Aquarius.   Back home to shower and clean up.  Needed to warm up a little!  Met Hank and Diane for dinner at Outback in the Aquarius. Tomorrow we leave for Las Vegas - hope our luck is better at Bally's than it was at Harrah's here in Laughlin.  Think we di...

We left Edwards early this morning heading for Laughlin.  It's a straight shot on 58 over to Barstow where we had planned to have breakfast.  Must have missed the restaurant turn-off because we ended up in Needles for lunch.  The road between Barstow and Needles kind of parallels the old Route 66, parts of which are still in existence - others have been absorbed into I-40. The Mojave Desert is beautiful in its starkness.  Nothing exists out there except for some cactus and some old buildings in various stages of disrepair.  There are a few small towns like Hendry; however, we have no idea what those few people living there do.  Some day we will take the time to get off I-40 and explore the towns. After breakfast/brunch/lunch at the Giggling Cactus, we headed north on AZ 95 along the Colorado River up to Bullhead City.  Stopped at Walmart for some shopping and then headed to Laughlin where we are staying at Harrah's.  Played some and then met u...

We wanted to give equal time to the Air Force after spending the last two nights with the Navy.  This morning we headed south on 395 (again) to Kramer Junction and then over to Edwards on 58. Between Ridgecrest and Kramer Junction, there's not much except desert, antennae, and a few deserted mining towns (which have a few occupants).  As we traveled on 58, we passed through Boron which is the home of 20 Mule Team Borax.  There are large wind and solar farms in this area. After checking into Edwards, where they gave us the General Twining Suite - kind of neat because he was Chief of Staff, USAF and Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff when I entered the Air Force.  It's a great suite - three rooms with living room, kitchen, bedroom and huge bathroom.  We had originally planned on staying two days and playing golf; however, the wind looks like it's going to be a factor.  We'll see. Left the base and went to find someplace to eat in the local area.  Loca...

Here we are at China Lake Naval Air Warfare Center in the California desert.  As we drove south yesterday, the temperature dropped as we drove up in the Eastern Sierra and then gradually went back up again as we entered the Owens River Valley.  It continued to rise until we arrived in Ridgecrest where the temperature was 60 degrees - Mission Accomplished! It was a beautiful drive down 395 with the mountains glistening in the sunshine.  Although the CALTRANS warning signs warned of Ice-Snow - Carry Chains, we didn't encounter any of those conditions.  We have chains in the Red Baron, but so far we have been lucky enough not to have used them. One of the most beautiful views on the drive is from the road overlooking Mono Lake - you can see the mountains in all their glory and Lake Mono and the valley beyond.  There were few tourists at Lake Mono and when we got to the Visitors Center, we could see why.  It was closed - one of the victims of the the govern...

Today dawned clear, cold and beautiful.  We were wondering where the warm weather was; however, it didn't take long for it to warm up.  Breakfast at Denny's and then some shopping at Walmart.  Back to China Lake to get ready for our tee time at China Lake Golf Course. Course was in terrible shape, mostly due to a lack of watering and the snow geese who winter here.  They're pretty creatures - white with dark stripes on their wings, but they do wreak havoc on the golf course. Every New Year's Day they hold the Goose Poop Open - I'll bet that's the nicest thing they say about the geese.  We won't talk about our scores, but it was good fresh air and exercise.  Vi got to try out the new golf towel which Sandy had sent. Tonight we're going to Casey's Steakhouse for dinner and then home to watch the Denver Broncos visit Oakland.  Good steak dinner and friendly conversation with Bryant, the bartender.  Not many people at the bar!