January Ends on a High Note!

Can this be true, a second posting in less than 24 hours? OMG! Yes, up and about to head for Palm Springs. Rain is in the air and that is just fine. I am in Primm, NV at a place called Buffalo Bill's that has an amazing roller coaster and a swimming pool in the shape of a buffalo, I kid you not. So when I signed off I hinted at change in the air. I woke up Sunday to a couple of postings from people on Facebook. They did not connect and did not realize their gravity. My ex, David, had dies of a heart attack early Saturday morning. No warning. His 39th birthday was February 2nd. WOW! Knock me over with a feather. And yet I knew there was not a lot I could do. After a cry not felt since Dad's death in 1999 (when David was there to hold me) decided to get out and see some of the city.

You read about my walk through MGM in yesterday's posting so will not relive that, but after enjoying breakfast in America, a festive 24 hour diner in New York, New York. If you ever get there do go by and see the massive piece of artwork in the restaurant of the lower 48 states. Very cool. It spans the restaurant and was originally built in the Brooklyn Naval Yards in Brooklyn, NY. Then shipped out to Las Vegas and cost just under a $1 million. Had coffee along with the NY Bagel Breakfast. Not bad and set the tone for my trip which was two meals a day. I have also ignored all buffets! I walked more in the first two days than I had in the prior month. My GOD! My feet were ready to rebel.

After getting off the monorail at the Paris/Bally's stop, you are funneled into Bally's and it was quite boring. But my God, I have never seen so many moving sidewalks in my life and it helped get from there to Paris. A grand concept in theme that was so poorly executed that I could not get out of their soon enough. Even going up the faux Eiffel Tower was kinda disappointing having been up the original. I also feel I need to temper my comments in that I was still kinda down from the news of David. So I made my way over to Bellagio and saw the wonderful water fountain show. The way they get the water to take on such personality, it was a delight and a highlight of the trip. The whole casino as well as much of Las Vegas is honoring the Chinese New Year due to much of their clientele. Wonderful lanterns everywhere plus the botanical gardens have a massive exhibit to honor the year of the tiger!

From there is was time to head over to Caesar's Palace and I picked up my ticket for Bette Midler's last show. Quite a complex Caesar's is and in being early I stepped into the gift shop just as the 50% off signs went up on Bette merchandise. While I passed on the $15,000 necklace that was half off, I did buy a water bottle that honors her work in NYC with the trees plus 10 postcards. Then it was on to the Trevi restaurant for a lovely dinner. It kicked off with a Sobertini...Kettle One vodka, Lemoncello, and homemade lemon sorbet = YUMMERS! Then decided to go light with a Caprese salad with main course of single order Pepperoni Pizza with a side of grilled Asparagus. A really enjoyable dinner and then made my way to the theatre for the show.

On the way to my seat the usher asked what had brought me to the show and I mentioned it was a finale to my 50th birthday. Well, I ended up in the VIP box. YUP! It was just amazing and then got free cocktails through the show and a program as well. Even popped for a picture in a keepsake holder. It was a show that included special appearances by Gladys Knight, Celine Dion and Marie Osmond. Classic Bette and was filled with laughter and touching moments. Who has ever seen 16 electric hover-round chairs going at the same time on stage! totally hilarious as all the cast were in mermaid outfits. After the show I was going to walk home but ended up in a cab sharing with two ladies I ran into at the photo booth. Yes, we realized we were going to the same place and split the cab. So a $12 ride was $4!

Well, it is 8am and time to head out for Palm Springs. Sunday has been covered and well my next entry will tell you all about the Liberace Museum! Oh and what a time was had by all.

Cheers!