The Neon Museum, Las Vegas.

US Friday 21st June - 2019

Just returned to my hotel before I venture out to Caesars Palace this evening to see the Jerry Seinfeld Show.

Today’s experience at the Neon Museum here in Las Vegas was like going back to the 20th Century for me. The first time I visited Las Vegas and the famous Strip was way back in 1969, way before smart phones and iPads.

One of the Las Vegas classics: The Golden Nugget

 
I can remember wandering down Las Vegas Blvd with my Standard 8mm movie camera shooting many of the Neon Signs that I saw this morning in the bone yard of this museum. I still have all that footage at home in one of my wardrobes, so needless to say today’s experience bought back many wonderful memories of a bye gone era for me.

Almost all of the casinos that were prominent then have had to be demolished to make way for progress and the changing road system plus the multi story monoliths of today.

A boneyard of Neon signs from hotels past here in Las Vegas

As you can see by the photographs, this Neon Museum has preserved and saved many of those wonderful Neon Signs that were the trade mark of the strip back in the day of the Rat Pack (Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr, Peter Lawford & Joey Bishop).

Almost all of the original Casinos and Neon signs are no longer in existence, for those of you that are old enough to remember these iconic names from the past:

* Stardust.
* Sahara.
* Frontier.
* The Star Dust.
* Moulin Rouge.
* The Mint.
* The Sands
* The Golden Nugget.

Plus many more that are too many to list here, and who could ever forget the flamboyant Liberace, his museum closed its doors here on October 17th 2010, his museum had also fallen victim to changing tastes of tourists. Liberace died of Pneumonia on February 4th 1987 as a result of AIDS at his home in Palm Springs, California at the age of 67.

Ten lovely young ladies that are visiting Las Vegas from Cleveland, Ohio

I also managed to catch up with 10 lovely young ladies [above] that are visiting Las Vegas from Cleveland, Ohio to celebrate their friend's bachelorette party. The lady in question is on the far left. 

The museum made these beauties turn their Tee-shirts inside-out before they would give them permission to enter, if you look closely... you can see why. They told them that this museum was a family friendly attraction. Spoil sports, this would never have happened in the “GOOD OLD DAYS”.

The original Stardust sign being installed in 1968

I need to go and prepare myself for this evening's BIG night out, I can’t wait because I have loved Jerry Seinfeld since watching him on his hilarious TV Show.

Cheers for now.

Warbo.

NB: I must also remind you in case you have forgotten.  “Adventure before Dementia”

The Mob Museum, Las Vegas

US Thursday 20th June - 2019

I pounded the streets for most of the day today checking out the various highlights and Casinos along the famous Las Vegas strip in the searing Nevada desert heat, I do not know whether the temperatures here in Vegas are any cooler than in Phoenix, Arizona.

On my rounds today I had to go to the box office at Caesars Palace to pick up my ticket that I had pre-ordered in Australia for the Jerry Seinfeld performance tomorrow evening.

Tomorrow night I'm off across the street to Caesars Palace
to see Jerry Seinfeld perform live at the Colosseum

Additionally, appearing next door at the Mirage Casino is none other than Jay Leno so I decided to bite the bullet and extend my stay here in Las Vegas by another day so that I can see his show on Saturday evening before heading back to Phoenix on Sunday.

I was lucky enough to see Jay Leno at the Comedy Club in LA probably 30-years ago while on a Qantas layover there. This was way back even before he took over the Tonight Show from Johnny Carson in 1992, so that will tell you how long ago it was.

At the time he was a brilliant stand up comedian, so there should be no reason why his show on Saturday evening will be any different.

The Trump International Hotel is a 64-story
luxury Hotel, condominium and timeshare. 

First thing this morning I drove down Las Vegas Blvd to my hero’s luxury pub; the Trump International Hotel. I was last there in 2016 just after Mr Trump announced that he would put his hand up for the Presidency of the United States, the rest is history.

The Mob Museum is about 5-miles north of the Trump International Hotel, so my next port of call was to visit this nonprofit organisation with a mission to advance my knowledge and understanding of organised crime’s history and impact on America society. The Mob Museum offers a bold and authentic view of organised crime from vintage Las Vegas to the back alleys of American cities.

The Mob Museum - Las Vegas

Inside the magnificently restored 1933 former courthouse and Post office (which by the way was the tallest 3-story building in Las Vegas at that point of time) you can explore the real stories and actual events of the Mob's history through interactive exhibits and see hundreds of artifacts on display.

The Al Capone revolver took my fancy that was
displayed in this glass case

Do you recognise this man in the photo below??? (Would you buy a 2nd Hand Model A Ford from him?), he is waiting to meet his fate in ‘Old Sparky’ he is sitting in the electric chair that inmates famously nicknamed ‘Old Sparky’ long ago.The warden asked him for any last words, apparently he said “all l want to do is get back to the Shire”...

Me trying out 'old sparky'

However, before this person in 'the chair' can return back home to his beloved 'Sutherland Shire' he will be accommodated for 4-nights here on The Strip at Harrah’s Las Vegas Casino.

My accommodation here in Sin City
for four nights - Harrahs Las Vegas Hotel & Casino

They could only just fit him in, the Harrahs Hotel & Casino which offers 2,677 rooms, 1,200 slot machines with an attached Casino providing 91,833 sq ft (8,531.6 square mtrs) of space. Even the new apartment development at the Kirrawee Brick Pit is not that big!!!

Last but not least in today’s report is the photograph and story behind the 43-story Mandalay Bay luxury Resort and Casino that received world-wide publicity on October 2nd, 2017 for all the wrong reasons.

The Mandalay Bay Hotel - Las Vegas

Stephen Paddock shot and murdered 58 innocent people when he open fired on them from his room on the 32nd floor, the Casino has since eliminated and renumbered that floor where all the action took place. What does ‘Mandalay’ mean? It is the second largest City and the last capital of Mayanmar (Burma).

So that my friends is the end of another day here in Sin City.

Hope you enjoyed the report.

Cheers 

Warbo

Phoenix to Las Vegas

US Wednesday 19th June - 2019

Another exciting and adventurous day on the road to Las Vegas, where I'm off to see Jerry Seinfeld perform at The Colosseum in Caesars Palace.

I departed Phoenix this morning at 0600 for the 500-mile drive via the scenic route that Sammy and I planned out last night over a cuppa of Bushell’s tea.

I really did not want to follow the Interstate Highways all the way from Phoenix, so I decided that I would only drive west on Interstate 10 to Quartzite, (20-miles from the Californian Border) from there I headed north to Lake Havasu City to take a look at Lake Havasu that they all rave about over here. Not only that, this is where the old London Bridge is situated.

Joining onto the old Historic Route 66 through
Arizona from Topock via Oatman to Kingman.

As you can see by the photograph [below] I really think that the American who purchased the bridge from the Poms before dismantling it piece by piece way back in 1964 must have thought that he was buying the London Tower Bridge. 

This unique attraction offers the English Village filled with shops and eateries; boat rentals and tours of the Lake itself, however I was not that impressed with what I saw, I sure would like to have the $’s that it must have cost to relocate it here from where it once spanned the River Thames for about 80-years.

Once I departed Lake Havasu, I then headed north again towards the dreaded Interstate Highway 40. Thank heavens that I only had to drive 8-miles east on that road before I once again turned north at a little place called Topock for the most exciting time of the drive.

The London Bridge that once spanned the River Thames was purchased,
then dismantled and shipped to Arizona in 1967.

Little did I know what was ahead of me for the following 68 miles. When Sammy and I were discussing the route last night that I would take he told me not to miss out driving the old Historic Route 66 from Topock via Oatman to Kingman.

This is the longest section still in use of the original Historic Route 66 across America.

In Oatman, wild donkeys come out of the
mountains during the day and roam the town's streets

If only I had the Porsche with me, instead of the Toyota Echo, what a road. Very narrow, very rough with plenty of bends and sharp turns winding through the mountains, many of the corners were 15mph max, I can assure you that I would have had the time of my life let loose on that section of Route 66. One can only dream.

Approximately 30-miles into the journey I came around this corner and right there in front of me in the middle of nowhere in the desert was this ever so small town called Oatman, Arizona. This place is an historic gold mining town born in 1906 as a tent camp for miners.

The Main Street in Oatman

Located in the Black Mountains, Oatman offers visitors quaint shops, restaurants and a couple of watering holes. As you can see by the photograph [above] a town landmark are the burros (wild donkeys that come out of the mountains during the day) and roam the streets. Quite unique I thought and very friendly.

The Oatman gunfighters stage free 'Old West' show-downs and shoot outs on the town’s main street (Historic Route 66) daily. Do yourself a favour and be sure to put this one down on your 'Bucket List' you will not be disappointed, trust me.

After that exhilarating adventure it was now time to hit the road again and check out the Riverside Resort and Casino in Laughlin just over the border in the State of Nevada. On the 3rd floor of this Casino there is a Classic Car collection that I am also glad I did not miss.

Part of the vintage slot machine collection
at Laughlin's Riverside Resort & Casino

Located in Don Laughlin’s Riverside Resort and Casino there are two showrooms that feature more than 85 classic and rare automobiles from Don Laughlin’s private collection, also home to his antique slot machine, pinball machine and license plate collection.

On display in the showrooms there are vehicles of various makes and models, and as you can see by the photo [below], he also had a ‘57 Chevy Bel Air that was better than when it came out of the show room.

A gorgeous ‘57 Chevy Bel Air that was in better condition than
when it came out of the showroom as new.

By now time was slipping away and I still had another 100-miles to drive before I would arrive in Las Vegas, so I put the pedal to the metal and arrived here in Vegas around 8:00pm tonight, checked into my Hotel, thoroughly satisfied with my day's adventures.

Later this evening I may take a drive down Las Vegas Boulevard, better known as The Strip and take some photos of the bright lights on the strip. We’ll see how I feel, nothing else for now.

Cheers

Warbo

Home again in Arizona

Saturday 11th May - 2019

After my testing drive just 24-hours earlier, how good does this look. Blue skies, Saguaro Cactus, lower altitude, warmer temperatures, rattle snakes, deer, elk, scorpions, all makes for a beautiful day on the road traveling through the byways of Arizona enroute to Phoenix.

What a great sight for sore eyes, blue Arizona skies
and the landscape filled with healthy Saguaro cactus

Only another 50-miles and the journey is complete. I have removed my jacket for the first time in two-and-a-half days and boy does it feel great.

My RV, now basking in the warm Arizona sun, after enduring a blinding
snow storm less than 24-hours previous in New Mexico.

Update: After my marathon 1,900-mile (3,100 kms) drive from North Carolina, I have just arrived safely home, into Phoenix, Arizona at the San Tan Mobile Village at 11:00am.

The last 20-miles was possibly the hardest, I could hardly stay awake. This will be my last report from this marathon road trip. 

In just three-days time my good friend, Steve Core, arrives from Australia and then we will head off on a 1,700-mile road journey to Indianapolis, Indiana, for the 103rd running of the Indianapolis 500 on the Memorial Day weekend.

Cheers 

Warbo

More than a snowflake...

While you were sleeping in your nice warm beds in Australia, I have just experienced the ride of my life.

Last year I put my life at risk in my Model A Ford on the drive through the dessert states of Arizona & Nevada in soaring heatwave conditions on my journey to the Model A Ford National Meet in Reno Nevada. At the time I said to myself; ‘never, never again.’

My RV, still covered in sheet ice after
surviving my drive through a blinding snowstorm

That was chicken feed up until this morning. Just when you think that you are home and hosed, nature decides to throw you a curve ball just when you are not expecting it. This morning I departed Santa Rosa, in New Mexico expecting a fairly simple and uneventful drive to Albuquerque, New Mexico only 150-miles away. 

The journey should have taken approximately two and a half hours all going well, instead I have only just arrived here in Albuquerque at midday after a four and a half horrendous experience in driving conditions that you can not imagine.

Hard to believe your in the high desert plains of New Mexico

Now I have been around a bit in the short 72-years that I have existed on this beautiful planet, I never ever again want to experience what I have just been through.

About 30-minutes into the journey, the weather started to really deteriorate, I thought OK I have driven in bad rain and bad weather conditions many, many times in my adventures throughout the world in heaps of countries.

Pulling over for break during the
tough driving conditions

Well let me tell you without a doubt today’s experience definitely takes the cake, bar none.

At one point of time when I was slap bang in the eye of this unbelievable snow storm at the summit of this mountain (7,085 ft) I really thought that OK Ken, your number is up. I really did not want it to end this way because I am a long way from home and Qantas do not send caskets home in Business Class or even Cattle Class, not to mention the cost.

When all these horrible thoughts were going through my melon, I could not help myself thinking "why would any body in their right state of mind want to live here, not only that this State is run by the Democrats". Plus the roads are absolute SHIT.

What about these poor old three bikers, 
do you think that they are feeling a little uncomfortable?

I must tell the ‘Donald’ not to even waste his time here in the 2020 election because it just isn’t worth the time and energy to win it for the Republicans, they can do without it.

Anyway, here I am safe and sound once again, even though I am still at 5,588ft above sea level, it has stopped snowing thank heavens, although it's still pissing down with rain.

I have decided to have a nice Blueberry Muffin and wash it down with a cup of extra hot black Bushell’s tea with 2 sugars, sounds good to me.

Even the most hardened & tough interstate truckers
were pulling over for relieve from the tough unexpected conditions

Today, I planned to drive another 400-miles which would have gotten me well into Arizona, at this point of time I have no idea of where I will be later in the day, because I have only driven 150-miles, I suppose that I should not complain. I am still here to talk about it. Besides I need the break.

Just remember my motto. ‘Adventure before Dementia’ only some times I do stretch the limit way too far.

My Toyota Echo tow car, showing the signs
of a tough journey through testing New Mexico conditions

Position Update: I could not help myself, once I left Holbrook this afternoon I was going to take Hwy 377 to a little town called Heber, then I noticed another town called ‘SNOWFLAKE’ on Hwy 77, and 77 being my lucky number I decided that this was the appropriate place to stay the night because of my adventures today.

Thank heavens I am finally off Interstate Hwy 40. I have been traveling on that dangerous Hwy for it must be 1,700 miles since I departed Knoxville in North Carolina at lunchtime on Tuesday.

I am finally back on schedule after my horrendous experience this morning in that snow storm way back in New Mexico. Today after all my dramas I did manage to drive the 400-miles that I planned to do last night.

I thought the name of this town was so appropriate
to represent the journey I had just made through the snow

Phoenix in now only 165-miles away, I am now getting down to the business end of the 1,900 miles that was required before I departed Waynesville in North Carolina. If I get an early start from here in the morning I should be back in Chandler before lunchtime, one day ahead of what I had planned once David and myself went our separate ways.

Let me assure you, I definitely will not have any trouble looking at the inside of my eyelids tonight. All that is required of me this evening is to put my pyjamas on and hit the pillow.

The gods were definitely with me today, thank heavens. You will not hear from me now until I am back safely in my trailer in Chandler, Phoenix.

Cheers for now.

Warbo

Departing Santa Rosa, New Mexico

Friday 10th May - 2019

After my overnight stay outside the Route 66 Auto Museum, I departed Santa Rosa early this morning. With a big cold front moving through across the State, during the night the weather has turned miserable & nasty, it's cold, rainy and windy. Not ideal driving conditions.

Along Interstate 40, the visibility has dropped right off to zero & getting worse by the minute. It has started snowing here on the high plains of the eastern New Mexico desert. This part of the world normally has a dry, arid climate.

I am presently at 5,557 ft above sea level, I certainly hope that the de-icers work, otherwise I am in deep shit. (sorry snow).

I can’t believe it, I can not drive safely in these conditions!!! I had to pull off the Highway.

Never a dull moment when you're on the road with me.

Below, I just checked the live weather radar and as you can see. I am the blue dot and I have some serious weather between me and my next way-point, Albuquerque, New Mexico. 

I'm thinking that there might be a slight delay to me making it home to sunny Phoenix as planned. Stay tuned.

[click to enlarge]

Warbo

Heading back West to Phoenix, Arizona

Thursday 9th May - 2019

I'm headed back west across the country now, after leaving the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I'm headed for my home in the Valley of the Sun in Chandler, Phoenix, Arizona. A total journey of 1,829 miles.

My journey map home across the US is a total 
trip distance of 1,829 miles
[click to enlarge]

My journey takes me across Oklahoma, then the Texas panhandle through Amarillo, Texas and then into New Mexico. Earlier today, I called in at the public roadside attraction of the Cadillac Ranch, a collection of ten half-buried, nose first, Cadillac cars, just outside of Amarillo, Texas.

I made a leg-stretcher stop at the famous Cadillac Ranch near
Amarillo, Texas. There had been some heavy rain in Texas in the days proceeding.

Update: I have just arrived into Santa Rosa, New Mexico. I got off Interstate 40 looking for a fuel stop & have a look at what I stumbled upon. I drove up the Main Street, which is actually the old, historic Route 66 Highway looking for somewhere to lay my head down for the evening and came across this Route 66 Auto Museum.

What a great find I stumbled upon, the Route 66 Auto Museum
in Santa Rosa, New Mexico

Unfortunately it was too late to check out the Museum because they closed 1-hour ago, however, I took full advantage for an outdoor photo shoot & as you can see by these sensational photographs of this GEM of a Museum.

When open, it has over 30 cars on display and has an admission price of just $5.00. The owner also has a workshop and auto repair garage just up the street, so this would be a handy place to break down.

An unusually fitted out old '58 Ford Edsel Corsair
featuring, of all things, a Back Ho!

Today has been another great day on the road, I have driven a total of 420-miles, now leaving me only a distance of 557 miles to make it home to Phoenix.

Tomorrow, I hope to do another 400-mile day, leaving me approximately 157-miles on Saturday morning to complete my mammoth journey from the Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina to my home in the Valley of the Sun in Phoenix, Arizona one day ahead of schedule. 

A pair of rather unique looking late '58 Ford Edsels 
out the front of this Museum

I am just like Qantas. If we don’t arrive on time... we arrive ahead of time.

I also gained an hour today because of the time change, so instead of it being 2045 right now it is only 1945, I like that & I gain yet another hour before I arrive back into Phoenix. 

In the distant background you can see my RV, 
this is where I set-up camp for the night.

More useless information from this road trip:

* By the time I arrive back in Phoenix I would have driven 5,208 miles (8,341 kms) not too SHABBY for a middle-aged ex-Trolly-Dolly, and that does not include the miles we drove in the Toyota Echo while sightseeing.

In the background you can just see my Mobile Home, 
this is where I am staying this evening

* All up, I've taken in 13 Southern States: Arizona - New Mexico - Texas - Louisiana - Mississippi - Alabama - Florida - Georgia - South Carolina - North Carolina - Tennessee - Arkansas - Oklahoma and some of them twice in my 23-days away.

Doesn’t sound too scary if you say it quickly. I am exhausted just thinking about it.

Gotta go and prepare my dinner, on the menu this evening is Lobster & Caviar washed down with Moët.

Cheers for now.

Warbo.

Passing the Big Texan

Thursday 9th May - 2019

I have been clocking up the miles since leaving Oklahoma, and now I'm just passing through the Texas high plains and what they call the Texas panhandle part of the State. 

The famous roadside Big Texan Steak Ranch

Thought that you may be interested in these few photographs of the Big Texan Steak Ranch, home of the free 72oz [2.0kg] steak challenge. 

It's a kitschy, saloon-style steak house located right next to Interstate Hwy 40 here in Amarillo in the guts of the panhandle of the lone star state.

The 72oz [2.0kg] steak is free - provided you can eat the
entire meal in a specified time

With a big, wet, cold front moving across the central US, the weather is really cold here in Amarillo at just 15ºC [59ºF]. I departed Oklahoma City earlier this morning & decided to have a break from driving by stopping here at this world famous Steak House.

My GPS tells me that I have only 731-miles to drive before I arrive back in Phoenix, AZ. This afternoon I will push onto Albuquerque in New Mexico where I plan to spend the night.

All is well at this end of the globe. Cheers for now.

Warbo.

Creekwood Farm RV Park, North Carolina

Monday 7th May - 2019

After leaving the Kennedy Space Center, we headed 185-miles north on I-95 to cross over the State Line into Georgia. We over-nighted in a little town called Kingsland.

This morning we departed our overnight parking spot in a paddock in Kingsland, Georgia at 0700, we needed to cover almost 500 miles today. I said to David that we would do 3-stints of 3-hours driving periods and that should get us very close to the 500-mile mark for the day.

The entrance to the peaceful and tranquil
Creekwood Farm RV Park in Waynesville, NC.

It was another Huuuge day on the Interstate Highway 95, by far the biggest mileage day since leaving Chandler, Arizona at the start of the trip.

I was about one hour late arriving here at this beautiful RV Park called Creekwood Farm, in Waynesville, North Carolina. It is so peaceful and quiet here. There are no trains blowing their whistles or semi-trailers roaring down the Interstate Highways alongside us.

Creekwood Farm has a nice relaxed pace to it

Kicked another BIG goal as we arrived here this afternoon or as the Americans would say, "hit another home run".

Once we registered and paid the bill, I drove to my allotted space No.84. While unpacking and preparing for the evening I started talking to the chap next door to me. Not really knowing what to do or where to start here in the Great Smoky Mountains area, I started asking him a few questions as you do.

Plenty of green in this RV Park

He also wanted to know my story, so I gave a quick run down etc., etc.,

Well bugger me dead, this guy is named Dean, and he just happens to be an Indigenous Native American, none other than a Cherokee Indian. He was born and bred in Cherokee which is not all that far from here.

David, Dean and myself in front of Dean's
45ft Phaeton 'Pusher' rig with trailer.

In the photo above, there's David and myself receiving final sight-seeing instructions from my ‘Very new best friend’ Dean [in the middle], the Native Indigenous Cherokee Indian, before setting out on our exploration tour of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Check out Dean’s 45ft Phaeton ‘Pusher’ Rig as they call them over here because the 460 Cummins Diesel engine is at the rear of the vehicle, which means that the vehicle is literally pushed along. This piece of holiday magic is worth approximately US$350,000.

Our rigs on a misty North Carolina morning
in Creekwood Farm RV Park

We will probably stay here an extra day, leaving our Motor Homes here in the RV Park. Then utilising my Toyota Echo tow car to do all the sightseeing in. Dean has given me all the good oil for tomorrow, so here is the plan. 

Dean has advised us to drive west towards Bryson City on Hwy 23/74, then north-west to Cherokee. Then take Hwy 441 over the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Gatlinburg. However he has strongly suggested that we should not miss Clingmans Dome, at 6,643ft it is the highest point in Tennessee.

At some point along the way he said that we will come across many, many elk. Tomorrow looks like another fascinating day.

That’s all for now.

Cheers
KW