Photo a Day: Week 11

Photo a Day: Week 11


March 11, 2012 ~ The open road: Great Basin Highway


March 12, 2012 ~ Summer cannot come soon enough


March 13, 2012 ~ You are my sunshine


March 14, 2012 ~ Getting into the spririt. Salute!


March 15, 2012 ~ Stacked


March 16, 2012 ~ I simply adore new blooms


March 17, 2012 ~ Slainte!

Lady Luck

A couple weekends ago, it was positively gorgeous outside so Frank wanted to take the Firebird out. No complaints from me. We had no destination in mind but soon found ourselves in Primm. We bought lotto tickets across the stateline. It was the first time I had been there. Just a little shack with scratch off vending machines, lotto kiosks and a line that wrapped around the place waiting for the cashier. Frank used a kiosk and I bought a few scratchers so there was no waiting for us. I didn't win a thing. I recall even saying "lotto is no different than the casinos, I just lose."

While in Primm, we checked out each of the casinos. Primm Valley is much nicer than I imagined. It was very crowded too. I really couldn't believe how many people were there. But I now understand what a nice staycation it could be it has the outlet mall, rides for kids and gambling. We went over to Buffalo Bills to ride Desperado. With its 225-foot drop down a 55-degree descent it is one of the tallest coasters in North America. And it is one rough ride. The drop was fun, though. Whiskey Pete's is the third casino there and it's across the freeway we took the shuttle over to check it out. It's rink a dink and pretty dead. We ended up playing $5 Triple Diamond because it tends to bring us luck. Frank put a $20 in and took the first spin... nada. I took the second and had Frank kiss me and I pulled the lever. I didn't let him go until all three reels had stopped, and we had a winning line. $150 - thank you! We quickly took the money and ran. We collected the car and hit the road for home. I just love the feeling of the breeze thru your hair and being drenched by the warm sun, and it's even better with $150 extra bucks in your pocket.

Then, a few days later, Frank's cousin and her boyfriend invited us to play Bingo at South Point. It was their first time playing altogether, we've played at numerous other casinos but it was a first for us there. Frank got an electronic unit and a rainbow pack for daubers. The pack had 12 cards. Usually, we play six. He figured we'd each watch over six. But when then games started they warned us that only one person could play a card. We didn't want to risk being disqualified so I daubed games one and two. Then, Frank took it over and I took the electronic unit, and helped him spot numbers and potential bingos. He never got one on paper, but I did on my unit. I won $150. All that hard work wasn't for nothing.

Lauren and Darren grabbed dinner at Steak n Shake. So, we said good-bye and we played 5-hand nickel video poker on our way out. The drought finally ended. A few hands in, I hit a royal! It had been nine long years. Lady Luck must have figured it was about time she threw me a bone. I forgot how fun gambling is when you win.

Caio!

I came across a site that creates a color coded map of where you've traveled in the States.


Make your own here.

Neat, huh? I've covered a fair amount, but my goal is to hit them all. As you can see, there are a lot left to experience. Frank and I were talking about taking a road trip in April to see Yosemite and then head up to Oregon and drive down the Pacific Coast Highway. But we scratched that trip. Which also means we're missing the White Sox in Oakland, but I'm not in the least bit bummed.

Because we're going to Italy instead. Yes, Italy! It's been a dream forever. Over a year ago we started a savings account specifically for this trip and we've been socking away money each week. At the beginning of the year, I priced a trip for April. It was going to cost more than what was in savings so the trip was put on the backburner until we could collect more. It turns out, the trip became possible sooner than we ever imagined. I instantly went to work gathering rates, and was pleased to find airfare considerably less than flights I saw in January. Reality hit, "we can do this!" so we quickly secured time off, and today, I made it official. I booked airfare to Venice and we'll head back home from Naples. I'm still researching hotels, I intend to have those booked by the week's end. Then, I can begin on sights and the most fun - FOOD! Hopefully, I'll pick up a fair amount of Italian along the way.

We leave in a month! Eek!

Hittin' the Trails

Last Sunday, we finally got the Razor back out on the trails. Our friend from Chicago joined us, we met him at 8 o'clock at MGM to go offroading in Logandale. The night before we were up late drinking, I'll save those shenanigans for another post.

I was groggy after waking, but I didn't really feel hungover until we were on I-15. Nausea settled in and the pounding in my head worsened. It stuck until noon. And then came back in waves. Whoops and hangover don't go well together, I've never experienced motion sickness, but I bet this is what it feels like. It's been 1.5 years since I've been hungover and I hope it was the last. It was such a beautiful day and it was so great to back on the trails, I made the most of it. It didn't let it hinder our day.



















Boys will be boys, tossing boulders to hear the echo from the stones plummeting off the cliff.





Bighorn Sheep







I was able to find one tiny wildflower bloom in the sea of red sand and desert grass.





The day was just another reminder why I pink puffy heart love the desert!

Photo a Day: Week 10

March 4, 2012 ~ I just love the desert!


March 5, 2012 ~ Menu planning


March 6, 2012 ~ What to make for dinner? Yeah, sushi does sound good.


March 7, 2012 ~ Another sign of Spring. I should buy stock in Puffs.


March 8, 2012 ~ Oh yes! The time has come.


March 9, 2012 ~ Addicted.


March 10, 2012 ~ Making a stand for change at the Clark County GOP Convention.

Hiking Calico Basin

Brand Steakhouse

After a week full of lackluster meals off strip, we concluded Spring Restaurant Week at Brand inside Monte Carlo. We ate at Brand once before and it was very good. This return visit did not disappoint. We had 7 o'clock reservation for three. Our friend, from Chicago, was in town for work so he joined us.

We started with warm buns that are simply delicious then I had French onion soup. It was fantastic. Rich broth, well seasoned, but not salty. Onions carmelized to perfection, gooey cheese and bread slices to soak up all the goodness.



The guys skipped the restaurant week menu and opted for the 40oz porterhouse for two. It comes with one side, they chose mac & cheese which is the truest form of comfort food. They also ordered an extra side of asparagus. Sublime, comes to mind.



I had the filet with garlicky mashed potatoes. What my dish lacked in presentation it made up for in flavor. The filet was perfectly seasoned with a beautiful sear. I'm not a big fan of mashed potatoes but I had no trouble finishing these.



For dessert, we shared my banana s'mores. A broiled banana stuffed with chocolate and marshmallows. It was tasty and fun! It could have only been better if they used nutella in the banana rather than milk chocolate.



It was good to be back on the strip. The caliber of restaurants far exceeds those that are off the strip. It was a great end to a less than stellar week of Restaurant Week dinners.

I look forward to September to enjoy round two.