Monkey and I set off last weekend to go and finally visit Monique and Fernando in Las Vegas. I told myself I wasn't going to end up drunk on the strip and sitting my ass like a zombie in front of a slot machine and for the most part I did not. I have never gone to Las Vegas where I didn't visit the strip- this time- success!
We arrived to Mo's and Fernando- they live in a nice house outside all the noise of Vegas. Pictured below is her front room- it had quite the feel of an Ikea catalog so I prepared my order- Swedish Meatballs! You could tell from her home that she is a graphic designer and both Monkey and I were afraid to touch anything.
We went out to dinner and ended up The Orleans, a local casino by her place. Shit got kinda crazy and everythin a little blurry but we had a good time. Las Vegas now sells these big pitchers of beer- well like pitchers- but they hold a ton of beer and the thing is built with ice in the middle so your beer stays nice and cold- 15 bucks too! It made the phillipino 80's cover band that was playing actually sound good! Yeah I danced, what of it!
This night was only made more exciting when we entered a small Irish Pub called Brendons and Floggin Molly was playing, grand just grand. Sorry for the late night phone calls and singing Poochie and Matt!
On Sunday we went out to Bonnie Springs. Bonnie Springs Ranch was originally built in 1843 as a stopover for the wagon trains going to California down the Old Spanish Trail. In 1846, General Fremont, on his way to California, stopped at what is now Bonnie Springs Ranch to gear up for his trip through Death Valley. Since 1952, it is pretty much used as it is today- a petty zoo, a saloon, and a view of what is left in the middle of Red Rock Canyon. Reminded me very much of 2008 and my desert obsession. There is something to be said- or unsaid- about how I feel in the middle of dirt tumble weeds and red rocks, Bliss.
After we toured the ghost town we took a spot in front of the fire and enjoyed a 'gunslinger'- a hot coffee sort of drink with Baileys and Kahula topped with whipped cream and sprinkled with cinnamon-or gun powder if you will. Delicious. There was snow on the floor and on the mountains that surrounded us and as the sun set the stars came out. Gorgeous.
Later that night Fernando introduced us to Ellis Island where we had dinner then sang karaoke- good crowd. It was hard to beat the 80 year old 5 foot Elvis that dominated the stage. I sang Rocky Top and when I was done he shook my hand and said thanks for singing a song about Tennessee. My pleasure- and I told him about my visit to his home and thanked him for his hospitality. The bar tender then informed us that he actually purchased Elvis's pink cadillac for $50,000 and he drives it around Vegas. Rad!
All in all it was good weekend. It was hard to wake up on Tuesday and as we drove through the desert to come home Monday night I struggled to look forward to coming back to LA. Which is not to say I don't love Nolden, my job, and LA- it's just if you give this girl a taste of freedom she has trouble settling back down. If I worked every day and never took time off it wouldn't bother me so much- but three days out of LA and I want out!!!!!!
:)
