Linking up with Marg at The Intrepid Reader
February 2025 - Las Vegas NV
Weekly Recap Jan 4 - Jan 10 Best Coffee
Weekly Recap Jan 11 - Jan 17 Cafe Lucille
Weekly Recap Jan 25 - Jan 31 2025 Cafe Mon Amour
Weekly Recap Feb 22 - Feb 28 2025 Las Vegas NV/San Diego CA
Paris Casino Las Vegas NV
Saturday we had a lazy morning on our laptops reading and doing this and that, just like home.
Foiled once again, we walked to Harrah's to see Big Elvis and once again he was not appearing.
So we headed towards the condo, in Planet Hollywood, John suggested the Glass Bar and we sat and had a couple of drinks before heading back...
Sunday we decided to just veg the day away. We read and relaxed.
The Strip was closed to traffic until 11 PM due to a race.
Monday Mural was from Texarkana, on our way south.
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After a super lazy Sunday we decided to go to Red Rock Canyon so I got us reserved timed entry tickets.
Click here for more photos from today.
This a 13 mile drive, one way, speed limit 5 - 15 MPH. This yoyo (tête carrée) with Quebec plates pulls past all the "slow" drivers and races through!
The Red Rocks have been a film location for such movies as Roy Rogers and his horse Trigger in Bells of San Angelo (1947) and was a location for The Stalking Moon with Gregory Peck in 1968.
From there we went to the Red Rock Casino to the Yard House. We always enjoy their food, service and prices are reasonable.
Tuna stack.
We came back and got some packing done.
Tuesday we did laundry, made hard boiled eggs for lunch tomorrow and packed up some more.
After lunch we took a drive to get some neon sign photos. The temperature was 31 C!!
This wedding chapel was very busy, with back to back weddings.
I'm surprised people still flock to Pawn Stars. But it seems it had series until 2023.
Capitalizing on Pawn Stars as neighbours.
We passed by the Neon Museum.
We've seen several sights in this area in the past.
The Las Vegas Mormon Fort in 2015.
Nevada State Veterans Memorial in 2024.
We packed up some more before heading out for dinner. It was a gorgeous evening.
We were all hyped up about going to Ellis Island Casino for dinner as we had done in 2024.
What a mess! They have been building an addon brewery for a couple of years now so we had to enter at the back where the smoky casino is, now very crowded. We headed to the bar that we like but it is all boarded up. So we headed to the bar/restaurant at the bar, lots of tables but were told there is a lineup, so there was. We left.
We walked over to the Linq and waited 20 minutes at The Yard House, always a favourite and consistently good.
The sphere sneaking through.
Leaving Ellis Island.
The Linq.
Seared rare ahi tuna, crispy garlic, sesame seeds, jasmine rice, charred baby broccoli, baby tomatoes, creamy ponzu sauce.
The Weed Man!
John - grilled sirloin, stir-fried sesame brown rice & red quinoa, mushrooms, snap peas, bok choy, carrots, red onion, baby broccoli, red pepper flakes.
We were comped dessert, cheesecake brulee!!
Wednesday we were up at 7:10, finished packing the fridge/freezer and had breakfast.
Checked out, loaded the car up and headed to San Diego at 9:05!
Welcome to California!
California agricultural inspections are conducted by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to ensure that commodities and vehicles meet regulatory requirements and are free of pests. Border Protection Stations - Vehicles and commodities are inspected at major highways entering California.
However, no one was manning the booths!!
I had just mentioned I would love a date shake when we saw a sign for them at the Cima Mining Co!! It didn't appear opened, but it was!
World's biggest working thermometer at Baker.
Yarmo CA.
Looks like California is getting ready... Across from Peggy Sue's.
Marine Corps Yermo Annex encompasses 1859 acres and is primarily a storage and industrial complex.
2014 Carlsbad Weekly Recap
We started following directions to Embarcadero, but on impulse headed down to the waterfront.
We stopped for date shakes. We had a 10 minute construction delay, we stopped for 2 bathroom breaks and 1 for gas. We looked for Peggy Sue, and a 30 minute Costco stop.
We arrived at Inn on the Park, a Wyndham property. It is a historic building, so no ramp...John lugged all our stuff up the front steps, loaded the baggage trolley. While he was doing that I was being chatted up by the sales person, Bridget, nice person. Tried the ole we are working really hard, fired all the old sales people blah blah. I said no, nicely, explaining we had gotten our update last March and it was a horrible experience, so no, no and no. Got our goodie bag and went to our room.
Time to relax!
Thursday it was foggy when we got up. We decided to head out around 11. Looking towards Balboa Park.
STEPS 11,851
We had a loose plan that kinda happened.
We headed out to Little Italy for lunch.
Built in 1910, The Abbey is a historic San Diego landmark. Stained glass dome skylights bathe the room in a romantic golden glow. Imagine a Renaissance cathedral: dark, polished redwood molding and woodwork. The Abbey, formerly an iconic church, is a full-service facility, with gourmet cuisine prepared onsite.
Not Italian, we didn't want something too heavy as it was very warm out. Sliders for me.
Omelet for John.
We started following directions to Embarcadero, but on impulse headed down to the waterfront.
Subject(s): Anonymous
Sport: Baseball
Location: County Administration Building, San Diego, CA (Statue is one of an edition of 12 created by the artist in 1999. Long-term loan from the artist's foundation to San Diego. Other statues within the edition are in private hands.)
Sculptor: Niki de Saint Phalle
Material: Fibreglass, resin, mixed materials
We loved seeing the tall ships, especially the Star of India. We checked out the Maritime Museum prices and it was very reasonable $18 to visit the 5 ships and for $10 a 45 minute harbour tour, fully narrated, on a pilot boat.
From her launching in 1914 to her removal from regular service in 1996, the Pilot enjoyed an active career as San Diego’s chief pilot craft – assisting almost every one of the thousands of major commercial ships to enter or leave the bay during that time. Pilot was built in San Diego at a small local yard and in the years since served exclusively on the waters of San Diego Bay and its approaches. Generations of San Diego harbor pilots steamed Pilot out to sea in all conditions of weather to meet the incoming merchantmen which, in turn, provided the flow of cargoes and passengers to support the development of a rising urban seaport.
One of the best tours we've been on for only $10. Kiki was our guide and she knew everything about the harbour.
I did a separate post about the tour and ships as it is photo heavy.
We boarded through here.
The architect of the Coronado Bridge, Robert Mosher, created a curved pathway on the bridge in order to make it longer. This was done so there was space to elevate the bridge safely while still making it high enough for Navy ships to pass underneath.
The architect of the San Diego-Coronado Bridge designed it to resemble bells when passing under it. Our guide pointed this out to us, and John snapped the perfect photo.
Dole
We then visited each of the ships, we were often the only people on board.
The US government is spending nearly $1 million a month to maintain a luxury superyacht seized from a sanctioned Russian oligarch as part of the Justice Department’s effort to put pressure on the Kremlin.
The 348-foot Amadea was one of the first trophies prosecutors claimed as part of a task force effort to hold Russians friendly to the Kremlin accountable.
The superyacht was seized while docked in a port in Fiji in 2022 by local law enforcement officials and the FBI. US prosecutors allege its owner, Suleiman Kerimov, who made his fortune in gold, violated US sanctions by using the US banking system to cover expenses for the vessel. The yacht has been docked in San Diego.
The USS Midway Museum is a historical naval aircraft carrier museum in San Diego, California, United States, located at Navy Pier. The museum consists of the aircraft carrier Midway. The ship houses an extensive collection of aircraft, many of which were built in Southern California.
It is massive!
This ambitious piece of public art honors the distinguished service of the cruiser USS San Diego and its crew during World War II. The 28-foot walls are polished carnelian granite and composite terra cotta, and the floor contains a terrazzo map of the Pacific theatre. The ship’s travels are marked with inlaid brass strips in the floor, and inlaid stars mark the places of battles and engagements, from Guadalcanal to Tokyo Bay. The 18 brass stars represent the number of battle stars earned by the vessel and its crew.
A life-size bronze statue, representing the rest of the crew of the ship, gazes out over the Pacific.
Unconditional Surrender is a series of computer-generated statues by Seward Johnson that resemble an iconic 1945 photograph by Alfred Eisenstaedt, V–J day in Times Square. However, they were said by Johnson to be based on a similar, lesser-known, photograph by Victor Jorgensen that is in the public domain. The first in the series was installed temporarily in Sarasota, Florida, then was moved to San Diego, California, and New York City. Other copies have been installed in Hamilton, New Jersey; Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; and Normandy, France. Johnson later identified the statue at exhibitions as "Embracing Peace" for the risqué double entendre when spoken.
25 feet tall vs Marilyn in Palm Springs is 26 feet.
National Statue to Bob Hope and the Military.
there are 15 life-sized bronze statues, arranged as if attending a Bob Hope show. Each figure represents a serviceman from a different conflict.
Women in the service are represented, as are wounded vets, with a racial diversity that underscores Hope's broad appeal. One figure holds up a sign with stenciled, punch-through lettering: "Thanks for the Memories BOB."
In the Fish Market.
Our guide had mentioned that the Asian markets are willing to pay for the lobster so it can be hard to find here.
One more shot!
From there we Uber'd back $15.
Friday we had hemmed and hawed about whether it was worth the $54US per person for the hop on hop off trolley, eventually saying no. It would have been a 30 minute walk through the park to get to a stop, wait around for it.
I also looked at taking a day food tour to Tijuana. But it is a very busy border and there could be delays of an hour+ each way.
In 30 minutes we walked to The Gaslamp Quarter.
The planes are loud and low overhead as they land.
It is spring and the gardens are gorgeous.
The Gaslamp Quarter is home to the largest collection of restored Victorian office buildings this side of the Mississippi River. Many colorful characters frequented those buildings and added to the charm of Gaslamp history.
The Louis Bank of Commerce building is an historic structure. It was built in 1887. It is a four story Baroque Revival building with twin rising towers. This is the first granite building in San Diego that was pre-built on the east coast and shipped around Cape Horn to California. The Louis Bank of Commerce was located here until 1893, then Isidor Louis opened an oyster bar, a favorite of Wyatt Earp.
The structure was built by Capt. Alfred Henry Wilcox in 1869 and was one of downtown’s first brick buildings.
Wilcox came to San Diego in 1849 on The Invincible, a 120-ton schooner used by the U.S. Army as a transport ship. While he was never famously known for captaining the cruiser, the Invincible was notable for bringing an engineering crew to construct the first dam in an effort to turn the San Diego River into a false bay.
Like many Downtown historic buildings, the Yuma was initially constructed as a one-story structure. Brick-laying began one year before the death of Wilcox, and the building was named in reference to Capt. Wilcox’s experiences pioneering transports along the Colorado River to supply Fort Yuma.
In 1912 the building earned dubious distinction as the first to be closed during a sweep of the red light district and a round-up of the “ladies of the night.” This building, along with the Louis Bank of Commerce located at 835 to 837 Fifth Avenue, is one of the Gaslamp Quarter’s most photographed and recognizable iconic structures.
Blochman Bank Building (The Melt) (1905)
The two principals of the company were Abraham Blochman and his son, Lucian. The elder Blochman was born in Alsace, France and arrived in San Diego in 1852 en route to San Francisco. He had hoped to seek his fortune in gold during the Gold Rush, but became distracted and remained in San Diego. He became a naturalized citizen in 1861, and opened a highly successful general merchandise store. Additionally, he was elected Director of the San Diego Board of Trade in 1892. However, he still had an interest in gold, and began buying and selling it in his store. Eventually, he began buying and selling so much gold that he and his son established a partnership, and became the Blochman Banking Company, the oldest private bank in San Diego.
Prior to 1904 , the property between 643 and 651 Fifth Avenue was nothing more than a series of small wooden buildings housing a shoemaker, a jeweler and a cigar and cigarette merchant. In 1904, George J. Chambers , father of famed Olympic swimmer Florence Chambers, purchased the property from L.G. Pratt for the unlikely sum of $10.
In March 1912, the San Diego Union reported that excavation had begun on the first fireproof theater building on the Chambers lot, on the east side of Fifth Ave. opposite City Hall. The structure , to be built by A. E. Chaffey, would be a one-story concrete building, seating 800 patrons, and would be the first to comply with the new building ordinance. It would have a passage on either side and in the rear as a means of protection in the event of fire. Two exits would be located at the stage end of the auditorium, opening to the outside passageway.
One year later, the building permit was granted for a one story, steel reinforced concrete theater. A projected cost was $6,000. Unfortunately, only two years after construction, the two side passages were converted into a restaurant and a shoe shine establishment. Although Chambers owned the land, the Casino Amusement Company owned the building. Hence, the building was named the Casino Theater. In 1931, the property was acquired by Vincent and Concetta Russo, who had run the theater since 1921. The Russo family operated the business through 1956.
We were drawn in by the doorman's spiel, the executive chef is Kevin Templeman. He competed on Food Network’s “Beat Bobby Flay” (and won) in 2016, and became a “Chopped” Champion in 2019.
Hotel Z, a Staypineapple location.
For over 138 years, the historic Tivoli (spelled backwards is “I lov it!”) has provided a friendly welcome for locals and visitors alike. The beer is ice cold, the hamburgers are hot, the ambience is warm and inviting, and the service – uninterrupted even during Prohibition- is quick and efficient. What’s not to like?
Like all old buildings in the Gaslamp, the Tivoli sits on land originally owned by Alonzo Horton. It was built in 1864 (before Horton) and called the Walker House. It was then a boarding house, a feed store, and a blacksmith shop. It was ultimately converted into a saloon and kitchen around 1885. The unimposing structure was basically a utilitarian building erected for commercial purposes. It had two windows, double-sashed, on each side. The first-floor windows now sport signature green awnings, and a sign proudly stating that the Tivoli is the oldest bar (still operating) in the Gaslamp. Structurally, nothing much has changed.
San Diego was growing rapidly during this period and the area surrounding the saloon became known as the Stingaree. Sailors making their way into the area from the port at the end of 5th said you could get quickly “stung” for your money by gamblers, ladies of the evening and other nefarious types. Much more dangerous than the little stinging fish in the bay! It was also not unusual to get “shanghaied” and find yourself at sea the next morning. This was
because of a tainted drink to knock you out, and a quick hustler to dump you off at a departing ship. All for a price, of course! Nonetheless, the saloon flourished.
We changed our direction as we realized how close we were to Petco Park.
Petco Park is the home of the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB). The ballpark is located in the East Village neighborhood, adjacent to the Gaslamp Quarter. Petco Park opened in 2004, replacing San Diego Stadium as the Padres' home venue, where the team played from their inception in 1969 to 2003.
Finding our way to Embarcadero, we happened upon this. BTW this was a much cooler, windy day than yesterday.
A tequila shop.
We eventually found our way onto the Embarcadero and Seaport.
Next was on our agenda.
HOW DID THE BAR BECAME FAMOUS FROM THE HIT MOVIE "TOP GUN"?
This one was a stroke of luck. The location director for Paramount Studios was driving through downtown San Diego in search of locations during the filming of “Top Gun” at Miramar NAS. After stopping in for a beer, he likes the joint and brought back the director, Tony Scott, who approached us about the possibility of closing down for a day to do some shooting.
We walked back to the condo. Later in the evening we walked across the street to pick up dinner.
STEPS 19,838
COOKING
We did a really good job of zero/almost zero food waste. We left behind a tin of diced tomatoes because they really were not nice. The remaining eggs made a lunch on the road. We planned for dinner when we arrived in San Diego, not wanting to go out after the drive.
We brought 3 bags of shrimp with us to SD that have to be eaten.
Saturday chicken sandwich
steak sandwich with onions and green peppers
Sunday tuna sandwiches
roast pork roast potatoes carrots
Monday OUT
shrimp
Tuesday cheese and crackers
OUT
Wednesday egg and onion sandwiches
spaghetti and meat sauce
Thursday OUT
shrimp
Friday OUT
picked up jalapeno poppers and quesadillas.
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ON THIS DAY (OTD) Feb 28, 2015 Cairns to Alice Springs Australia
WATCHING
We caught up on our recorded series and finished (sadly) the last season of Entrevias (Wrong Side of the Tracks).
There wasn't much reading this week! I started Liar Liar.
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