Not a huge amount from SEMA, picture-wise because it was so damn overwhelming…
Last Tuesday, wife and I hopped a plane to Vegas for my first SEMA experience. First two nights, we did an airbnb thing at the MGM signature towers behind MGM grand. Actually a really nice place. 1 bedroom, 1.5 baths, kitchen, etc. Had a balcony looking out towards the airport. In hindsight, we should have stayed here for the duration, but I wanted to stay closer to center strip in one of the nicer places for a few nights.
Checked in Tuesday evening, and did a bit of walking to the closer casinos (Mandalay, Luxor, Excalibur, NYNY, MGM). Didn’t really do any gambling, just looked around. Had some pizza at NYNY, drank and walked. Relatively early night, since next day was SEMA.
Now, I didn’t take a lot of pictures there, because it was so damn overwhelming. Going there without an agenda thinking I could tick off a couple of boxes related to the shop (potential new shop management software, some equipment, some parts vendors, etc) was stupid. I’ll have an agenda next year. Still, it was amazing. Took a couple of shots of things I thought were particularly special
This grainy shot of Datsun Roadster with SR20
Tiger
This Mustang, to me, was the star of the show.
Wednesday night, met up with an old high school friend over at the Mirage, drank, ate. Nothing crazy.
Thursday, checked out of the condo, moved up to The Palazzo. Absolutely stunning place. Check in was smooth, all staff were perfect. Graet experience. Room was large. They call it a suite, but it’s really just a big room with a sunken living area.
Then back to SEMA
Something about this Skyline I really liked
And this Corrado was stunning
Thursday night, we were meeting up with friends again, so spent some time walking around more. Walking is sort of a theme here.
Friday, decided against any more SEMA. We walked 20 miles the previous 2 days, saw about 40% of it all. We were good. Slept in until like ten, didn’t actually get out and about until five. Then started walking. Planning on walking down as far as Aria. Came across this sort of alley next to Linq/Flamingo and checked it out. Big ferris wheel at the end of it. I haven’t been here since 03, so that didn’t exist. Along the way, passed a place called Brooklyn Bowl, which is a bowling alley/music venue that happened to serve killer fried chicken.
Saw this sign
Both of us knew them reasonably well, so why not. Got tickets for a few hours later, and continued walking.
Carly missed our critters back home, so made friends.
Went to the Yardhouse before the concert.
Show was great. The second act, The Shelters, was actually better than Warhols. Lead singer of Warhols was really looking like Cobain revisited.
Met some new friends that night, so hung out for a while and drank some more.
Saturday morning was rough. No coffee service or refrigerator in the room was now a big issue. Went down got coffee, yogurt, water. Wife looking rough, but was a trooper, rolled out of bed for Saturday off-road adventure. I was expecting typical tourist trap, money grab shit, but this place had none of that. You got there, met the owner (Deb) and her husband (Mel). They’ve been together 42 years. Met the other tour guide (Gordie) who reminds me of the old goldminer in Blazing Saddles. Sign your waivers, fill out your post-tour late lunch order, familiarize yourselves with the machines (Polaris RZR), and head out to the desert to see things.
Gordie to the left here
Rode from Goodsprings to Sandy Valley, about a mile from the CA border, used in the movie Casino at some point.
Ostensibly for a bathroom break, but apparently it’s no big deal if you want to order some drinks before heading back. So we hung out for an hour. Bought Gordie some beers, had a couple ourselves, and had a good old time.
Headed back, but had to stop midway for some off-road rally course clearing (unexpected). Hung out there with the cars and drivers for about 20 minutes.
Got back to Pioneer Saloon, and had an awesome burger and beer waiting for us. The experience was fantastic. No bullshit money grabs anywhere, just a husband and wife team who do this sort of thing right, and treated us like family. A lot of other reviews said the same thing
Then back to the hotel, shower the dust off, and it’s off to downtown. This was definitely the most fun we had out at night. Smaller places, better energy, cheaper tables, freer-flowing drinks. We’ll likely stay downtown next year, likely (don’t laugh) at El Cortez. Really had a blast in that casino.
Great cocktail bar
Came across an adult sized treehouse, so went sliding around
Stopped for the best pizza on earth at Pizza Rock. Look it up. Owner is world champion pizza dude like 11 times over.
Didn’t stay out too late, since I hate flying hungover. Got back around 1:30, crashed out, got up, walked around some more
Had breakfast
Stopped at the Flamingo
Went to the shops at Caesars, and watched this dude hunt for change
Said bye to our temporary home, and flew back. Plane got in at 1am. That sucked.
No way I’d stay at the higher end places on the strip again. Literally 3x the money we could spend to be someplace comfortable, that would include a fridge and in-room coffee. Place was nice for sure, but at big convention pricing, it effing well better blow me away, and it didn’t. Although, in the past two days, I’ve been contacted twice by guest relations at the Palazzo asking to give them another shot, and they will guarantee to make it memorable, so we’ll see.
The end.
