Well, as you can see the blog has been silent for a few days. I swear there is a good reason, and I hope you think it is too!
It all started 12 years ago when Darlene was going to school here in the Twin Cities and I was at Marshfield. She really wanted to go see Garth Brooks who was doing 7 shows at the Target Center. They were all sold out and she was going to try and buy scalped tickets. I called her before she was going to go and talked her into not going promising that the next time he tours and is close to the midwest, we will go!
Well, shortly after that Garth Brooks decided to retire from touring to take care of his kids. Honorable gesture and all, but how could he leave me hanging on this promise!
Then last fall I had noticed that he had a few performances scheduled in Las Vegas at the Wynn Resort. I checked for tickets for the few dates that were left and they were running over $1200! Obviously we did not get those tickets, but what I did do was get my name on the email list for new events at the Wynn.
February rolled around and I got an email with new dates for the tour! I was so excited and I didn't tell Darlene anything. Saturday morning came around when the tickets were on sale and I spent over 30 minutes trying to get through on the phone. I finally got 2 tickets. 7th row. Dead center. I was ecstatic and Darlene didn't have a clue.
I immediately called my Mom to see if she would be able to watch the kids for the three days that we would be gone. And shortly after, I booked two nights at our Bluegreen that we own a timeshare through who have a resort a couple blocks off the strip. Darlene still didn't know.
At this point, I was slightly nervous about how to tell her, or what to do. Up to this point, we had never both spent a night away from the kids at the same time. I've been away. She's been away. But one of us has always been there with the kids. I had to tell her we were doing SOMETHING for my peace of mind. I asked if it would be OK that we were going somewhere, without the kids, for three days and two nights. I didn't tell her what (other than we were going to see a "show") or where, but just that we'd be doing SOMETHING. :)
She said that it would be OK and now all I had to do was wait! 6 long months later and numerous dodges of questions such as "are we flying or driving" or "is it a big city or a little city". I won't tell you that I lied... But I might have told half truths!! :)
After all the planning, Thursday morning we started out in the car and I handed her the directions to our destination. The destination was the airport... Then the cat came out of the bag. Las Vegas here we come! The show??? Well, my 12 year promise is finally delivered.
Here are the pictures from the fun we had!! I hope you enjoy!
Our first day out on the strip and we parked at the Bellagio. The first thing that was utterly amazing and jaw dropping was the enormous size of everything. The casinos, hotels and everything in between were HUGE!
Here is a nighttime view of the strip. Notice the Eiffel tower in the middle!
Us inside Caesars Palace. The statues in this place were truly more than words or pictures could ever describe!
Anyone for a hot air balloon ride? (Taken inside the Bellagio)
Of course everyone takes their picture in front of the Las Vegas sign!
Now I think you're going to say, what about the concert! Well, the concert was better than we could have imagined. Far from the running around showmanship from the 90's... He came out in jeans, hoodie, baseball cap and his guitar. He proceeded to play songs and tell numerous stories from the late 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's that influenced his music. Way cool!!! And I think Darlene would agree!
