October 29, 2012 in Las Vegas

 Today we had reservations at ten a.m. to tour the NEON MUSEUM (also known as the boneyard).  This museum is outdoors and many old neon signs (and other signs) are stored here.  Unfortunately, two people at the information desk at our hotel told us wrongly that the bus would take us all the way there.  They were wrong, but luckily, someone on the bus told us the exact way to get there.  We got off at a bus terminal type place and hopped on another bus which took us right to it.  We knew were in the right spot when we saw this.....  We arrived right at ten a.m., I think.

The museum was great.  It was a guided tour.  I took MANY pictures which can be seen here:   http://www.flickr.com/photos/juneny/sets/72157631932848804/     Here is one:    Someone told us that the Mormon Fort was just down the street and we walked down there after our tour at the NEON MUSEUM, but it was closed.

At the bus stop to head back towards the strip, Peggy made a phone call to our airline and  we found out  that our flight to New York for the next day had been cancelled.  While waiting for our bus to go back towards the Strip, Peggy got on the phone and was able to set up a new flight for the night of  November 1st.  Unfortunately, it was an overnight flight, but it was the soonest one we could get, so we were happy to get it.  Several buses passed us by while Peggy was on the phone and I was taking notes, but we were so relieved to have that issue settled!  But we were not all that thrilled about the extra time in Las Vegas.  

We decided to go to the Fremont Street area and do some geocaching and find a place for lunch.  Geocaching was again unsuccessful, we just did not have ANY luck in Las Vegas with geocaching.  We did find a good place for lunch.  MICKEY FINNS.

 We had an outdoor table and enjoyed our meal.  We shared roast chicken and tacos.

We headed back to the strip and to our hotel, where we both took an afternoon nap.  Normally, this is not something we do when we travel, but since we were stuck with few plans, we felt justified.  Also, I was getting pretty worn out!   We made a few phone calls and found out that the CIRCUS CIRCUS offered a special rate for people stranded due to Hurricane Sandy........it was very inexpensive, something like $35.00.

We had supper at the "R" buffet in the Riviera, which was right across the street from our hotel.  It was very good!

October 30th, 2012 in Las Vegas

The title of this entry is deceiving because while Peggy and I were STUCK in Las Vegas due to our flight being cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy, we did NOT spend this day in Vegas.  Early in the morning, I said to Peggy "I wish I had more information about whats outside of Vegas, we could rent a car and take off for the day".  Peg absolutely JUMPED on this idea, and using her smartphone we came up with a plan to go to Rhyolite and maybe some other small ghost towns along the way.  She took care of getting the rental car and we headed out.

Just outside of LV, we stopped at a convenience store hoping to get an inexpensive map of Nevada.  The maps were very expensive, and we settled for looking at one.  The owner of the store said that was fine and he suggested we not only go to Rhyolite, but that we continue further north and go to Goldfield.  This added considerable time to our drive, but we decided to DO IT. 

We stopped and purchased a couple of sandwiches from a SUBWAY somewhere along the way and then we drove directly to Goldfield and we were pleasantly surprised at this wonderful old semi-ghost town.  We spent close to two hours there exploring and taking pictures.  We were able to do some urban exploring and we also found two geocaches.   An elderly fellow told me about the Sante Fe saloon and casino and how to get there.  This place was outstanding!  Pictures of Goldfield can be seen here:   http://www.flickr.com/photos/juneny/sets/72157631932878376/

After that, we headed south towards Beatty, which is near the turn-off for Rhyolite.  We saw a neat abandoned RV Park along the way and we stopped to take pictures and explore a bit.  When we arrived at Rhyolite, the sun was just starting to set, so we kind of had to hurry, but I think we managed to see almost every building.  Pictures are here:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/juneny/sets/72157631932894052/
Unfortunately, the little museum was closed, but we enjoyed meandering around Rhyolite.  It is a TRUE ghost town, no residents, only crumbling buildings.

Then we headed back to Las Vegas, tired but satisfied that we had found something interesting and fun to do.  We stopped before we got to the strip and ate at a TERIYAKI MADNESS.  This small kind of fast food place was wonderful!  Peggy kept raving about her meal. 

We arrived back at Circus Circus, parked the car in the AVIS parking area on the fifth floor of the parking garage and went back to our room.  I slept great that night!

HALLOWEEN 2012: we are stuck in SIN CITY on the worst pagan holiday of the year!!!!!

Halloween in Las Vegas

We are still STUCK in Las Vegas, but trying to make the best of it.  Peggy called our TRIP INTERRUPTION INSURANCE and was reassured that our expenses for the extra days in Las Vegas would be covered.

We decided to get the most out of our rental car since we did not have to return it until late morning.  We drove to the PALACE STATION CASINO and had the breakfast buffet at THE FEAST BUFFET, which was very good.  We also looked for a geocache around the sign for the casino, but once again we were not lucky in Las Vegas.

We returned the rental car and while Peggy was talking to the AVIS guy, I looked around at the brochures and signs at the place offering half price show tickets which was in the booth right next door.  I noticed that they were selling tickets to the TITANIC EXHIBIT at the LUXOR.  We both decided this was a good deal and we bought tickets and headed to the Luxor.

 We went to the LUXOR via bus.  Peggy started the tour first because she wanted to do the "headphones" which have additional information.  I needed a cold drink, so I went to the nearby McDonalds and then I joined her at the exhibit.  It was fantastic!  The best part was the large piece of the ship that was the last thing in the exhibit.  

After that we had milkshakes at the McDonalds and we saw a man dressed like Julius Caeser, and also his wife who he referred to as "Caeseria".  We still had much of the afternoon free, so we went to the Bellagio, walked around inside the lobby, which is beautifully decorated and then saw the fountains.  We also went to Caesar's Forum, where Peggy wanted to see the replica of Michelangelo's DAVID.  I was getting tired by that time, so I waited in the casino area while she did that.

Supper was at LE VILLAGE BUFFET in the PARIS HOTEL.  It was delicious!  This is our third time eating there, since we visited it on each of our previous trips to Las Vegas.

By this time, the strip was coming alive with people dressed up for Halloween.   Peggy took the first pic and I took the second. LLots of people were trying to make their way down to the Fremont Street area where they said the big party was.  We had to wait a while for a spot on a bus to take us back to our hotel.  It was a double decker bus and we had to stand.  You should have heard the hooting and hollering and laughing going on up on the top deck.   Later on, in our room,  I called Christa and jokingly left a message like this:  we are STUCK in SIN CITY on Halloween, we are barricaded in our hotel!!!!

November 1, 2012 LAST DAY IN VEGAS....hooray, we are heading home!!!!!

November 1, 2012 in Las Vegas

I think this day was the day that Peggy and I had the least fun.  Our replacement flight was at 11:30 p.m. today, and by now we had seen and done everything in Las Vegas that interested us.  Early in the morning, we decided to reserve our room at CIRCUS CIRCUS for the night again even though we would not be staying overnight.  Both of us hated the idea of just "hanging around" the strip with no place to go after check out time.

After breakfast in our room, we spent some time getting our suitcases organized and then we decided to check out a couple of the newer hotels that were built on "the strip" since our last visit to Vegas:  The TRUMP and the WYNN.  Also, Peg wanted to go to THE VENETIAN again.  So thats how we spent our morning.  We were at the TRUMP around lunch time.   Peggy was a bit put off by the elegance of the restaurant off of the lobby, but I was hungry, tired and thirsty and since the menu showed reasonable prices, I suggested we eat there and she reluctantly agreed.  She had a barbeque chicken salad and I ordered a club sandwich with fruit on the side.  We both enjoyed our meals. The service was impeccable and we both relaxed and enjoyed the elegance of the DRT Restaurant.

Then we headed back to CIRCUS CIRCUS where we both took a nap.  After that we went to the midway and watched a juggling act.  We decided to use our free tickets for a midway game and chose CAMEL RACE.  It was only the two of us playing, so one of us had to win........and I was the lucky one....winning a small pillow. I won something in Las Vegas!!!!!

We went to the buffet in the hotel for supper.  It was reasonably priced, but smaller than some of the others we have been to.  The food was good.  Some of the workers behind the buffet did not speak good english, so asking them questions was futile.  The items were not labelled.  When Peggy asked what kind of fish it was, she was told "its fish".   LOL.

I think we checked out around eight p.m.  We took a shuttle to the airport.  While waiting to check in we met a few other people who had been stuck in Las Vegas.  They had stories about their struggle to get out of Vegas that were much more dramatic than ours.  There are some really nice murals in the Las Vegas airport and here is one.    Our flight was on time and we headed towards Cleveland.  In the Cleveland airport, we had breakfast from Subway.  FINALLY, we headed to Buffalo.    Gail picked us up at the airport (by now it was the 3rd of November).  It was so good to be back in New York!!!!!

Weekend in Lockport: December 14-17, 2012

I decided to go to Lockport to help my sister with cleaning out our Dad's apartment.  I left around 10:30 a.m. on Friday the 14th and drove up to Richfield Springs.  Before getting on the thruway, I bought a small sub from SUBWAY, since the selection of places to eat on the thruway is so limited.   I stopped in Oakfield, New York when I noticed a display of decorated trees around the Village Square.  Then I noticed this old school building that has been made into apartments: 

I arrived late afternoon and got settled into my Dad's old apartment.  Peggy arrived an hour or so later bring taco salads from a new fast food Mexican place she recently found.  We took a drive to see the small
Festival of Lights on Market Street and to some other neighborhoods that are beautifully decorated and lit up. 

Saturday morning, we started right in with working in the bathroom, which will be completely renovated.  We cleaned out a chest, and moved it to one of the bedrooms. We took some of the items that were in the chest into the basement.  For lunch, I prepared sloppy joes, and Gail joined us.  We had a nice visit.  We worked some more in the afternoon and then went out to supper at Gordy Harpers with Peggy's friend Betty and my mothers cousin, Becky.  It was a great meal, and I really like Gordy Harpers, which offers lots of
shopping opportunities.  Peggy purchased a MOON PIE to take home.  We went to a dollar store and bought several jars of peanut butter and jelly and dropped them off at a collection spot for homeless meals.
So, we got to see the festival of lights (I think it has a different name) again.

Sunday morning, Peggy and I went to church.  Wayne Dent gave a fantastic sermon.  Then we went to Subway for lunch and them back to the house.  We worked for about an hour and then rested the rest of the afternoon until it was time to leave for the Sunday School Christmas Program at Faith Tabernacle.  Mike and Janie and the kids met us there.  After the program, Janie took this picture of Mike, myself and Peggy with Flat Stacey.  This year, Cassandra sent her to Uncle Mike.

Peg and I met up with Mike, Janie and her two sons at a Taco place and spent a bit more time with them before heading home.  Peggy prepared turkey burgers for supper, which turned out good.

Monday morning, I headed back to Oneonta.  I started out on the thruway, and when I got tired of that, exited and got to Route 20.  I decided to stop at KLING'S MILLS DINER for lunch, and unfortunately they were all out of pie.  I arrived home around 1:30 p.m.

Joyce/Connie/Carol/Terry

What a blessing friends are!  I got to spend portions of today with four very special people.  After working this morning, I went to visit Joyce.  I asked her if she wanted to go to Neahwa Park to take a walk, but she said her back was bothering her.  We talked for a while and she started to feel better, and asked if I would take her to WalGreens. (on the way there, she wanted to go to Arby's but we found it closed)  At WalGrens, she purchased a couple of boxes of Christmas cards.  Then she said she needed stamps, so I took her to the Oneonta Post Office.  Then she said she needed a box of envelopes, so I suggested we go to THE DOLLAR TREE, where we both made a few purchases.  Then I dropped her off.

At the Post Office, we ran into my friend Connie and Connie and I set up a time later on to meet at Wilbur Park to go for a walk.  We met up down by the tennis courts and walked for over a half an hour.  Connie then wanted to go get something to eat, but I told her I needed to get home in order to meet up with Carol and Terry so we could go to a church supper.

The church supper in Morris was very good.  Then we went to THE MAGIC CLOSET at a church in Morris, where they give away free clothing and other items.  Neither Terry or I found anything, so we left while Carol was still looking.

It was a good day!

Olivia

A couple of weeks ago, I advertised two dollhouses in a local PENNYSAVER.  I never saw the ad, but a young lady named Olivia called and expressed interest in them.  She came to my house one day and purchased them, along with a box of books.  I gave her a set of CHILDCRAFT Encyclopedias and a Spin-Art Set, for her children.  When I found out that she loves books and wants to set up a library in her home, I told her I would get the rest of my childrens books together for her.

Wendy, Olivia and Rejoice

My friend Linda and I took the books and a Holly Hobbie toy box to Olivia today in Richfield Springs.  I think she actually lives in a populated place called  Brighton Corners.   She lives in a huge farmhouse on a farm, where her husband is a dairy farmer.  Olivia and her family are Mennonites and they live in the heart of the Amish area.

It turned out that today was Olivia's daughter Wendy's fourth birthday.  Olivia, Linda and I chatted for a while before Linda and I headed back to town to have lunch.   Olivia told me that her family became Mennonite for a time, and then changed churches, but she and her sister decided to remain Mennonite.
She and David met at Bible College (I think maybe in Pennsylvania).  They moved to New York from
Texas a year or two ago.  She said being Mennonite helps them to live the way they want to live.

After we left Olivia and the girls, Linda and I went to Richfield Springs and had lunch at the Chinese restaurant.  It was very good.   Then we went to the Post Office to see the mural, and we crossed the
street to see the manger scene in the village square.  On the way back home, we stopped at Dyn's Cider Mill for a few minutes.Here is a picture of Linda chatting with the owner.