Porn slapping Beatles trip

Preamble

This is the annual memorial/party trip. Every year during the week of April 15 I go to Vegas. On April 15 I go out to Red Rock Canyon where my dad's ashes were scattered, take out the pipes, play Amazing Grace and anything else that seems right at the time and the rest of the week I do what my dad did in Vegas, just have a good time. This year I was accompanied by my brother Larry who flew in from Denver, a friend from Durango and a buddy from KC.

Travel

Sometimes to get a decent air fare you have to settle for some hinky routes. Mine went from KC to Minneapolis then down to Vegas. Still and all, Delta runs a good operation and getting there was a breeze.

It's always amusing to see the x-ray guys scrunch their faces up when the carry on bag with my pipes gets ran through. Look at the screen, look at me, look at the screen, scrunchy face, look back at me, then the screen.

I love the Dollar express check-in. Because I only take carry on to Vegas, I was literally out the door cruising up Las Vegas Boulevard in my rental car 20 minutes after landing at McCarran.

Getting back was more of a straight route (Vegas - Salt Lake City - KC) but a 7 hour layover in Salt Lake City is just painful. Fortunately, there was a good brew pub in the airport (Polygamy Porter - Why settle for just one?) Unfortunately, I had an hour and a half drive ahead after getting in to KC so I had to limit my beer "appreciation."


Digs

This year I stayed at Harrahs. (wow, I just noticed that Spellcheck wants to change Harrahs to Whorehouse. What's wrong with you Bill Gates, other than a bad haircut?) Clean room, mid strip , decent price, only one complaint. I told the front desk lady that I wanted the porn in my room to be disabled. She said, "Sir, we only have regular porn in the rooms, you are a sick bastard." What can I say? I like the Stephen Hawking chicks. Next year I'll return to Downtown though. Got mix these things up.

Amusements

I loved the Beatles Fab Four show so much, I went back and took my brother. Just as awesome as it was last year. I can easily make that part of the regular yearly itinerary (and probably will) My brother loved it too.

Even though tickets were $100 bucks a seat, I went to the Beatles LOVE show at the Mirage too. I've never been an artsy fartsy Cirque du Soleil kind of guy, but this show was over the top fantastic.

The buddies and I ended the week seeing the Rat Pack at the Plaza downtown. I've seen them before. With 1/2 price tickets , they're worth a look.

My brother and I are both big Pawn Stars fans so we had to make the trek to Gold and Silver Pawn. We saw Chumlee, Rick and the old man. Pretty cool. My Brother bought a unicycle and got filmed buying it (wearing his Michael Vick Falcons jersey....he's kind of a dumbass that way) Could be he'll get a second or two air time next season. He then had to figure out how to get the unicycle home on the plane (Did I mention he's kind of a dumbass?) He ended up sticking it in his garment bag, which then couldn't fold over and was pup tented out a foot and a half. He was able to check it through.

Bro Larry bought me a big mug from the Hofbrauhaus, so in return I bought him a porn slappers t-Shirt. Bright neon pink. HOT GIRLS TO YOUR ROOM IN 20 MINUTES. Call 1-702- 4 I BE OVA. Should be an attention grabber at the Y early morning for a treadmill workout.

Money to the curb

Gaming wise I ended down a few hundred bucks (mostly video poker and BJ) I did my best though to make it up in "free" beer. However, I had such a good time I didn't consider it a loss, but an entertainment expense.


Another year down

Year five of the pilgrimage. Last year it snowed at Red Rock. This year it was perfect weather, 75, sunny on tax day in Vegas. Larry and I went out to Red Rock around noon. I haven't had company since year one, so I got distracted and drove past the site where the ashes were scattered back in '05. After another 13 mile loop, we stopped at the appointed place. I played the "Going Home" theme from Dvorák's New World Symphony segued into Amazing Grace. That's all I could muster with another family member there this year. Pretty emotional. But it was still as meaningful as ever and I hope for more family members to come along in the next years. Bagpipes in a canyon are pretty cool, but I try to get way down away from the road and private, however the sound always attracts listeners, even a short set. An embarrassed nod of the head and off we went.

Larry had a a flight back to Denver so I dropped him off at the airport, unicycle pup tent garment bag and all and went back to the void of Vegas to enjoy another day before my flight home.

Already pining for next year.

 

Wow, what a great report. (Love it when TRs are so organized - yay for paragraphs!) Funny (disabled porn! HAHA), imformative and very touching with the tribute to your dad every year! Thanks for writing.

 

"I told the front desk lady that I wanted the porn in my room to be disabled. She said, "Sir, we only have regular porn in the rooms, you are a sick bastard."

Now, that's funny! I don't care who you are.

 

That was not your average TR. Bagpipes in Vegas is a new one on me, well done. But very cool that you make the trek. Although, -with all due respect- lucky you that your dad wasn't fond of, say, Peoria IL or Worthington SD. Although I suspect you're the sort that would carry it off anyway, we just wouldn't have known about it here.

also - lol@ Stephen Hawking chicks.

 

One of the best TR's ever

You and your brother obviously have a great bond and know how to live life....probably a tribute to your Dad

I loved the T-shirt and the porn comment...that's classic Vegas stuff

Thanks for read - Dino

 

A very fine Trip Report. Enjoyed the read. An awesome way to honor your Dad. Thank you for posting.

later, GVJ

 

Great report and pretty damn funny!

Great job! Nice tribute to your Dad also....good for you!

 

Nice TR. I"m with you on the Fab Four and Love shows. I've seen Fab Four 7 times, and Love 3 times.

 

What a fantastic tribute to the life of your father. Great report. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.

 

Just amazes me that it has already been an entire year. I can always hear your bagpipes in my mind echoing away......

 

Great Report. Thanks.

 

Great report, thanks for sharing.

 

Great report and a nice tribute to your dad!

 

Amazing report , with such Grace
lol @ the front desk clerk !

 

Disabled porn...I WILL be stealing that one. Great report. Awesome tradition with the pipes.