Day 7

A photo of someone I love. Good thing Maddy is ahead of me so I won't "waste" a post hehehe So I am posting of Rick - I like him most!


(This could be a makes me laugh photo too)

Day 4

It took me quite some time to remember our last vacation. It was September 2009. We did a lot of things while there but our reason for going was for the truck race.

Thanksgiving #20

I am thankful for sporting events. I know that sounds a bit lame when you aren't into sports like we are, but we have had so many fun experiences because of them. Most people don't know, but I started college with every intention of becoming a sport broadcaster. After spending some time working in baseball I realized it wasn't for me. It hasn't changed how much I love watching sports. We have traveled to Phoenix and Vegas for NASCAR, and Seattle for baseball. Ok baseball wasn't the only reason be went to Seattle but we saw a game while we were there. We have had several seasons of Utah Utes season tickets and this past weekend we even braved enemy territory and went to a BYU game.
Our favorite is soccer! We went to matches while ReAl Salt Lake was still playing at the U and were there when they raised the Championship flag at Rio Tinto.
We spend lots of time watching sports on tv as well but attending in person is much funner. In the future we plan to visit Green Bay and Lambough field and Talledega at some point in time.
I love that we have the ability to attend and share together so many sporting events.

NASCAR 2009

Our main reason for going to Vegas when we did was to attend the NASCAR Camping World Truck Race. It was on Saturday, our last day there. It was SO much fun! It was hotter than hot. On the track it was at least 117 degrees! We had passes for the Neon Garage - the area in the infield. It was cool to walk below the track and be in the middle of everything. We were also able to go down to pit road during qualifying. These trucks are running 160-170 mph and we were right there to feel their power.
Our seats were 1 row from the top so we were able to see the entire 1.5 mile track. There were only 3 wrecks, and they were all in front of us...coming out of turn 4.
I realize that a lot of this talk may not make sense, but that is all good. I shall in indoctrinate all my friends to NASCAR language. Heaven knows I had no intention of ever liking NASCAR and now I like it more than Rick.
We met a great NASCAR official. He actually let us go into an area where other people couldn't go so we could take photos. Rick said, "Man you must be hot." His response was, "You have no idea." Just think of wearing a firesuit in 120ish degree weather and just standing around. We had headsets and a scanner to listen to the different teams' communications and also the NASCAR officials. Before the race started on the official station the guy was saying, make sure you drink lots of water and take care of each other. By then the sun was going down but still, it was nice and hot. It was great race weather.

Noise, Noise, Noise

This is taken outside our hotel room where we were the first 2 nights. It was HORRIBLE. We could understand the words to the songs with the window closed. They would crank it up a bit more at 6:00pm and it went until 4:00 am. Then at 6:00 am the construction across the street would start. Mind you, we are also on the 15th floor.

Pool Time

There were 2 reasons why we went to Vegas and this is one of them...

Sirens at Treasure Island

I hadn't seen the Pirate show at Treasure Island in years. 2-3 years ago they changed it to the Sirens show. We decided to eat there and then watch the show. The meal was decent enough and the show...I thought my eyes were being burned out of my head! Those women were wearing less than what most women were wearing at our swimming pool. I found it all entertaining but between our jobs, we are NOT around that type of stuff. I don't think we will be going back to watch that show for a very long time.
We did meet some very nice Brits since ours weren't with us. (They are going on a Panama Canal Cruise as we speak.) There were 2 couples, one from Nottingham and one from Newcastle. For those of you that don't know, Newcastle is right near the boarder (where many of my ancestors are from) with Scotland so their accents were very Scottish. The ones from Nottingham, well they aren't 30 min from our friends in Leicester. We had a nice chat with them. They had been to Zion's earlier in the day and been to Salt Lake in the past. They seemed to be a bit scandalized, as we were. Seriously people...I would not let children see this show!
I was able to get some decent photos though.

Little Caesar's

The first day in Vegas we decided to head out to find somewhere to eat.

We walked through Planet Hollywood, Bally's in front of Bellagio and into Caesar's Forum shops. We ate at some mexican restaurant there that was good.




Caesar's has add on to the forum shops during the last few years. Ok maybe it has been 5 years but I don't go to Vegas as often as I used to go. This area has twisting escalators. We were up on the 3rd floor and had to go to the bottom floor. It was a ride for my tummy. Yes I am that big of a wimp when it comes to heights.




Rick took this photo of me...I don't realize how long and how much hair I have until I see photos like this. It kinda freaks me out to be honest. My hair is naturally curly/wavy too.

Diagon Alley's Back Door

shhh...I found the back door to Diagon Alley...

In N Out

My blogs from our vacation are all over the place. Sorry. It is like my life these days...all over the place.

I have always enjoyed In N Out. Their fries are THE only fries I will eat with ketchup, not a lot, but some. Until this last trip I had never tried a cheese burger. MMMM It was so good.

During most of our visits to In N Out I hadn't tried their shakes. Back 6 years ago when I was engaged to Steve from Vegas, we went to In N Out and he ordered a strawberry shake. The heavens were opened to me that day. I had found ambrosia. Seriously, there have been times when I have craved a strawberry shake from In N Out. I have tried them at Arby's, Burger King, McDonald's, Chadders and so on but nothing compares to an In N Out shake. I had decided when we booked our trip I would have one every single day we were there, until I found out how many calories are in them.... 680!!! Let me tell you, those 680 calories are worth it but not everyday. =( I only had 2 shakes while on our vacation. I let the Dude have a few sips on the first one but the second, not a drop. And to think, there is going to be an In N Out just over a mile from me in less than a year!!

Free Roller Coaster

I found my own free roller coaster in Vegas last week.I am VERY afraid of heights. I told Rick that I felt like it was actually getting out of hand it has gotten so bad. It seems to just get worse and worse. We went to Caesar's Palace our first day there and road the twisty escalator. Coming down from the 3rd floor got my stomach going.
Yep, I am officially a wimp!

My Husband the Model

Of all the photos I took, 364, while on vacation, I think these are my two favorites.