Mike Stachowiak and LOVE

 9.28.2023

Las Vegas, NV

Mike Stachowiak

We lost a great friend yesterday, Mike Stachowiak.  Mike worked with Kenny for many years.  He was one of the folks who frequently traveled with Kenny to MLB events and through that I got to know him and his lovely wife, Michelle.  We went to many galas and games together.  Mike and Michelle were the first people we ever went camping with in our big ass bus, (BABS), and they were kind enough to show us the camping ropes.  We learned a lot that weekend!  I'm pretty sure the site 43 sign still isn't right at that campground.  Mike was good people.  When we couldn't figure out the suburbs of Chicago we called him and he directed us where to go to safely get into the city. Mike and Kenny were part of a group chat that is a highlight for both of them to keep up with former Chantilly friends.  Mike will be greatly missed.

And that leads to one of the stressors of traveling for long periods of time.  We are almost on the other side of the country and would both like to be there to support Mike's family.  Just straight driving time is 39 hours to get home.  We can put the truck and RV in storage for a few days and fly home, and then Comet is an issue.  Add on top of that the looming government shutdown when National Parks are a big part of our plans.  There is a great deal of uncertainty for the next few days.  The best we can do is take things one day at a time and know that things will work out as they should.

The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil

On a much more fun note last night we attended The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil.  It was an amazing show which can in no way be captured in pictures and there is no video or audio recording.  Cirque shows are always intriguing and wonderful.  Visuals are amazing and come from every direction.  The theatre is more or less a bowl with a stage in the center that is constantly changing.  Props come from the floor, the ceiling, and the sides.  The performers are multitalented with much flying from scarves, acrobatics, dancing, and interesting antics all done in sync to Beatles tunes and no spoken words.  

There were a couple of VW Beetles as props.  Kenny still longs for his 1974 Beetle.

The mixture of different visual elements was incredible.  This scene had some things projected onto mesh screens.

These ladies flew on trapezes.

These were huge ramps for guys on roller skates to do amazing tricks.

This scene was every elementary PE teacher's dream with what seemed to be a huge parachute that covered the entire theatre.  We were under it for part of the time.

Octopus's Garden

Good Day Sunshine

All You Need Is Love

We had a great time.  I highly recommend the experience!

 

Neon Boneyard

 

9.25.2023

Las Vegas, Nevada

Mileage: none

Kenny went in to work today.  I was here while the RV was washed.  It looks so clean and shiny now!  She is ready for the next leg of the trip.  Comet went to the groomer.  I went back to the Geffinger's to do laundry.  One of the things I've learned to do as an RVer is to ask people I don't know well if I can use their laundry machines and their showers.   After the chores were done we had a very average meal at the cafe in the resort.  After dark is when the fun happened.

The Neon Boneyard

The neon boneyard museum is a collection of the old neon signs from Las Vegas.  Created in 1996 this non-profit collects old signs, restores them, and puts them on display.  It is a very fun place to visit, especially since we remember many of the signs from our previous visits to Vegas.  Our tour guide was very entertaining.  You can hear his voice in the background of some videos.

We stayed at The Riviera in the early 1990's.

The office from the old LaConcha Hotel was reconstructed as the lobby of the museum.  It was moved to its current location from its original spot on The Strip.

We had a great time seeing all of the lights.  We learned that neon actually burns red, orange, or pink.  Blue is actually argon gas.  All other colors are a mixture of other gases.  

The many lights of Vegas.

The Sphere

The Sphere is a new arena opening in Las Vegas on Friday.  The outside of the sphere projects different images.  We drove by and took a few pictures from the road.  It was cool to see the images change.

A few weeks back I posted pictures of Kenny in a Coke shirt.  This didn't sit well with our friends Tami and Lisa (Lisa works for Pepsi).  Today we got a delivery of Pepsi gear to replace the Coke.  It included a shirt for Comet.  Here are some pictures of our freshly groomed boy in his Pepsi threads!

Thanks Tami and Lisa!