Trip Report Part 2
27th December departed Laughlin for Vegas. Someone here – maybe Rockin Rick? Recommended The Black Bear as a breakfast place in Bulllhead City so first we headed back to Arizona to check it out. It’s a large place – but it was packed and they were taking names at the door. We decided to wait and 20 minutes later we were seated. Decor is very rustic and is quite comfortable. Menu is printed to look like an old newspaper and selection is huge – something for everyone. Service was excellent. Food was good but the size of the portions was plain ridiculous. I saw lot of people having part of their breakfast packed up to go. I enjoy a large breakfast but I left a lot of it just because of the enormous quantities. But the food was very well prepared and I will go back again.
Pleasant drive to Vegas – was tempted to cut through Christmas Tree Pass and see the old First Nations rock paintings but there had been some rain and didn’t like the idea of getting stuck – maybe next time. We gave a friendly wave to the traffic cop lying in wait at Searchlight – he’s always there ? Arrived at Main Street Station early afternoon - we had requested a King no-smoking facing the Plaza. We were told that we could have that at 3:00 p.m. or take one facing the freeway now. We took the freeway room – good room – 2 good armchairs, flatscreen TV, writing desk, good King bed , in-room safe. The freeway didn’t bother us. We love MSS – clean air, great value, good VP. Bought a 750 ml Scotch in the hotel shop - $22.00 tax in – gotta be cheapest hotel shop in Vegas. Went down to Casino and played about 90 minutes VP and had a few drinks. I told the cocktail waitress that the only thing I didn’t like about MSS is that the drinks are always small. She told me that it isn’t an issue as if I order doubles I will always get them. I did and after that the drinks were really good. Went into the brewpub for a quick meal and then took the free shuttle to Sams Town, switched to the free shuttle to Harrahs and went to see our first Show – Rock of Ages. First 2 songs were weak as the sound was screwed up. After they turned the mikes down and and the amps up it was a great show. If you like live theatre and Rock Music you will love this show – adult content and not suitable for kids. Took a cab back to MSS and played VP for a couple of hours – did OK but nothing great. Watched TV for a while and went to bed
28th December - Took a morning stroll down Fremont to the Golden Gate. The storm drains had flooded which may explain the number of homeless people on Fremont and on the bridges on the strip. Quite a few asking for spare change. I usually have a shirt pocket full of $1.00 bills and give those that look genuine one or two dollars – occasionally five. I look at it that if I can drop $100.00 into a VP machine without thinking about it, I would hate to deny a coffee to someone down on his luck. After arriving at Golden Gate we had breakfast at Dupars. Suprisingly it was not good. Sausage were totally cold, hashbrowns were lukewarm, eggs were raw on top. Coffee and muffin were good. Walked down to 4Queens and played some VP – that is my other favourite downtown hotel. Had a free ticket for Jay Bolan but their own box office gave us a better deal – 2 for 1 with drinks special included. Back to MSS where I hit another Straight Flush and my wife hit a couple of 4 of a kinds. MSS has an ongoing promotion where you get a scratch card for every 4 of a kind of better. They have published a couple of winners - $500.00 and $5000.00. Over the last couple of years we have won more than 20 scratch cards – all $2.00 except I did get one $3.00 this year. Went to the MSS Brew Pub for dinner. My favourite drink there is the sampler – 5 different beers for $5.95. Small glasses but there are 5 of them! Great variety for dinner. Ribeye steak was good – my wife had seafood platter which was also good – then off to see Jay Bolan. Staff recognized us and gave us front-centre table. Great show as expected – Jay is an absolute pro. Last time I was there we had a chat after the show about Ovation guitars – his and my favourite – he remembered that and commented on it. Part of his show is letting the audience choose the songs – this guy is a human jukebox. A lot of the ones being chosen were 3 & 4 chord basic so I called out Hotel California which would show off his skills more. He did a great job – then someone else asked for Wish You Were Here – another great job. After the show we headed back to MSS and played late. I have always done well at MSS and was up again at the end of the night.
To be continued . . .
27th December departed Laughlin for Vegas. Someone here – maybe Rockin Rick? Recommended The Black Bear as a breakfast place in Bulllhead City so first we headed back to Arizona to check it out. It’s a large place – but it was packed and they were taking names at the door. We decided to wait and 20 minutes later we were seated. Decor is very rustic and is quite comfortable. Menu is printed to look like an old newspaper and selection is huge – something for everyone. Service was excellent. Food was good but the size of the portions was plain ridiculous. I saw lot of people having part of their breakfast packed up to go. I enjoy a large breakfast but I left a lot of it just because of the enormous quantities. But the food was very well prepared and I will go back again.
Pleasant drive to Vegas – was tempted to cut through Christmas Tree Pass and see the old First Nations rock paintings but there had been some rain and didn’t like the idea of getting stuck – maybe next time. We gave a friendly wave to the traffic cop lying in wait at Searchlight – he’s always there ? Arrived at Main Street Station early afternoon - we had requested a King no-smoking facing the Plaza. We were told that we could have that at 3:00 p.m. or take one facing the freeway now. We took the freeway room – good room – 2 good armchairs, flatscreen TV, writing desk, good King bed , in-room safe. The freeway didn’t bother us. We love MSS – clean air, great value, good VP. Bought a 750 ml Scotch in the hotel shop - $22.00 tax in – gotta be cheapest hotel shop in Vegas. Went down to Casino and played about 90 minutes VP and had a few drinks. I told the cocktail waitress that the only thing I didn’t like about MSS is that the drinks are always small. She told me that it isn’t an issue as if I order doubles I will always get them. I did and after that the drinks were really good. Went into the brewpub for a quick meal and then took the free shuttle to Sams Town, switched to the free shuttle to Harrahs and went to see our first Show – Rock of Ages. First 2 songs were weak as the sound was screwed up. After they turned the mikes down and and the amps up it was a great show. If you like live theatre and Rock Music you will love this show – adult content and not suitable for kids. Took a cab back to MSS and played VP for a couple of hours – did OK but nothing great. Watched TV for a while and went to bed
28th December - Took a morning stroll down Fremont to the Golden Gate. The storm drains had flooded which may explain the number of homeless people on Fremont and on the bridges on the strip. Quite a few asking for spare change. I usually have a shirt pocket full of $1.00 bills and give those that look genuine one or two dollars – occasionally five. I look at it that if I can drop $100.00 into a VP machine without thinking about it, I would hate to deny a coffee to someone down on his luck. After arriving at Golden Gate we had breakfast at Dupars. Suprisingly it was not good. Sausage were totally cold, hashbrowns were lukewarm, eggs were raw on top. Coffee and muffin were good. Walked down to 4Queens and played some VP – that is my other favourite downtown hotel. Had a free ticket for Jay Bolan but their own box office gave us a better deal – 2 for 1 with drinks special included. Back to MSS where I hit another Straight Flush and my wife hit a couple of 4 of a kinds. MSS has an ongoing promotion where you get a scratch card for every 4 of a kind of better. They have published a couple of winners - $500.00 and $5000.00. Over the last couple of years we have won more than 20 scratch cards – all $2.00 except I did get one $3.00 this year. Went to the MSS Brew Pub for dinner. My favourite drink there is the sampler – 5 different beers for $5.95. Small glasses but there are 5 of them! Great variety for dinner. Ribeye steak was good – my wife had seafood platter which was also good – then off to see Jay Bolan. Staff recognized us and gave us front-centre table. Great show as expected – Jay is an absolute pro. Last time I was there we had a chat after the show about Ovation guitars – his and my favourite – he remembered that and commented on it. Part of his show is letting the audience choose the songs – this guy is a human jukebox. A lot of the ones being chosen were 3 & 4 chord basic so I called out Hotel California which would show off his skills more. He did a great job – then someone else asked for Wish You Were Here – another great job. After the show we headed back to MSS and played late. I have always done well at MSS and was up again at the end of the night.
To be continued . . .
