What a way to start our Vegas experience… The Virgin Hotel is on strike. We arrive to sirens, pounding music, and loud, chanting, upset people. Everything was booked online so we have no real option to change plans now. Shannon checks in while I wait for the security guy who’s going to show me to the “oversized” parking area. The walk from the parking lot reminds me of the path from The Rotel to the Ottawa General Hospital, when Mom had surgery in March 2014. Heidi and I drew out an entire map of the path, including the part where it crossed pink elephant land into blue elephant land.
After we found our room, got some ice – even cheap wine wants to be served chilled – and just relaxed for a few minutes, we headed for our chosen gastronomic experience of the evening. The Hofbrauhaus was on the opposite corner of the intersection and promised hearty fare and yeasty brews. What we weren’t expecting was the musical stylings of Hans and Frans or more accurately, the Biermeister Band. Masters of the accordion, saxophone, tuba, and the rarely heard alphorn, resplendent in lederhosen, hockey socks (?) and Bavarian style work boots. From Queen to Christmas carols, they played it all.
Sunday was jammed packed with new Vegas experiences and a few fond memories of my time there with Mom and Heidi in 2012. We started at the Sphere, which is kind of beyond explanation. Steep stadium seating, several stories high with booming audio and haptic feedback seats. When the elephant walks, you feel it. We saw Darren Aronofsky’s Postcard from Earth, but I couldn’t tell you much about it. I was far too mesmerized by the 160,000 square foot screen.
Next, a leisurely lunch beside the canals at the Venetian and then a stroll along the strip on our way to the High Roller. Sad to see, they are tearing down The Mirage, where Cirque du Soliel performed The Beatles Love show, another of those cherished memories from 2012.
Now those of you who know me well, may remember that I “collect” Ferris Wheels and so a ride on the High Roller – second tallest in the world – was my “must do” choice for this trip. At 550 feet tall, it was number one until 2021 when it was outclassed by a taller wheel in Dubai. Anyone wanna join me for a trip?? Not only could you see all those signature hotels on the strip, but you can’t really get a better view of the exterior of the Sphere. Our choice to ride after the sun went down was a good one.
But the night is not over, we have tickets to see Garth Brooks at the Colosseum and he does not disappoint. One of the best concerts I had seen to this point in my life was in early 2016. Garth Brooks, in Ottawa, with Mom. How lucky and I to be able to see him again, in a city we visited together. After the concert is over, we wandered back to our room, passing the Bellagio fountains – fond memories for both Shannon and me.
It’s late now, and so off to bed as we have a big day tomorrow, when we will climb aboard Drifter and make our way to Phoenix, the long way.
