Las Vegas, Nevada: There was some needlepointing this morning, and there was quite a bit of rain and fog. When the fog cleared, we saw so much snow on the mountains NW of Las Vegas. By the time we ventured out in search of food, the sun was trying to show herself, but it was cold and the sidewalks were slippery and - as always - crowded. Dave wanted to visit the Tommy Bahama store in the Caesar Hotel Forum Shops (why, since we have a Tommy Bahama shop near our house), and I wanted to eat at Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Cafe. Happily, these two locations are across the street from one another... which in Las Vegas distancing is approximately a thousand miles.
it's like a mimosa, but with tequila and lime???
The last time we were in Las Vegas (December 2023), we also visited Margaritaville and had the same meal - the first time since Jimmy's death. The DJ wasn't playing much Buffett music that day, but today it was all-Jimmy-all-the-time - plus videos up on all the screens, with Jimmy so full of life and energy, and his constant smile. Ah, Jimmy.
Two shirts were purchased at Tommy Bahama. Friends and Family sale! We walked through the entire Forum, which must be larger than the one in Rome, and walked back to the Aria along Las Vegas Boulevard. The Bellagio Hotel fountains have been repaired and were showing every 30 minutes. We caught a Spaghetti Western inspired water dance:
At 5p, we walked to T-Mobile Arena for the last-ever Pac-12 Men's Basketball Championship game. Oregon v Colorado. The arena was not full. The maniac seated in front of us, turns out to only despise the University of Arizona and was most congenial this evening - making for a kinder and gentler contest for everyone in Section 16.
It was a very good and fun game. The score was close at every stage, except at the end when the Ducks had 75 and the Buffaloes had only 68, though the odds-makers had picked Colorado to win the title.
NOTE: Dave made an executive decision after the game. Instead of staying over Sunday to avoid the terrible Las Vegas-to-Los Angeles traffic, we would leave the hotel at 6a. Goodness. We packed before going to bed, and dang if we weren't on the road at six and home by ten. We did take the cut-off at Barstow through the Mojave Desert Preserve which avoids I-10 completely. There is so much snow on all the mountains surrounding the Coachella Valley. It was a very pretty drive. We were home in time for brunch at our clubhouse, and have settled-back into our usual routines.
We are taking the Petit Peregrinus for a test-camp this week and I will be reporting all the mistakes we will surely make.
Until my next update, your La Quinta correspondent.
I’m excited for your maiden voyage of the Petit Peregrinus. Have fun!