No visit to Vegas would be complete for Trekkies (such as ourselves) without a visit to Quark’s restaurant and the Star Trek Experience at the Hilton. Above is the ceiling. Not at all kitschy or hokey, oh no. You can drink Romulan Ale and Klingon Blood Wine. We had BORGburgers for lunch. Despite their name, no pieces of metal were included. Nor were we assimilated. The burgers were delicious! [Or is that borgers?] Hmm ... either way, they were great. During our lunch, several species stopped by to chat. Ferengi, a surly Klingon, and this friendly Andorian. Our bill was presented as our “damage report.”

After lunch we proceeded to the motion ride to be nearly captured by the Klingons in Klingon Encounter. Rick lied to me a little. You see, I hate roller coasters and that feeling you get at the top of a really big hill, just before you hurtle down at the speed of sound. He told me it wasn’t like a roller coaster. Well, it was ... a bit, if you can compare it to hurtling through space and barely missing Klingon birds of prey, going through worm holes, and other things along the way. It’s amazing how much the human mind can take over by a little bit of seat motion and really good film footage. You’re not moving much, but you are THERE. I was clutching the arms of my seat for most of the ride through space.

We then proceeded to the Borg Invasion, a 3D experience. Though our seats did not move, they were interactive with the movie and the whole experience was very entertaining. Even though it made me a bit dizzy, I preferred the action in the Klingon Encounter.

We made it back safely to earth, and flew right over our “home-away-from-home,” the Excalibur. It is Vegas after all.

Greetings from Vegas! I’m convinced that this city never sleeps. People stay up all night, yet in the morning when I come down to the casino it’s teeming with people. DId they not go to bed, or did they just get up early?

I know I seem to have endless energy. I’ve walked, and walked, and walked, and then walked some more. My new “comfortable” shoes turned out to be not a very good idea. My feet are a blistery mess. They look like a patchwork quilt of moleskin and blister pads. I covered a lot of ground and found my way around easily. It’s a bit like visiting Disneyland. I walked down the Strip as far as the Bellagio and Paris, then back, making various stops. Each hotel has its own theme and character.

I went to the Mandalay and to the Shark Reef. Can you find me in the reflection below?  You can just make me out with the camera held up. Now don’t be cruel; you know that man with the pot belly is not me!! I’m standing to the right of him but you have to look closely.

The jellyfish tank kept me mesmerized for a long time. It was like watching one of those lava lamps.

We had dinner on the outdoor patio of Mon Ami Gabi at Paris. Our table for two was right at the railing and perfect for viewing the fountain display at Bellagio’s across the Strip. After dinner we went across the street to watch the fountains up-close and personal. I got a wonderful film that I will share after we get home. Even that doesn’t do them justice.  Whoever choreographs the water’s movements must be a genius. Just imagine Andreas Boccili set to a ballet of water fountains. Trust me, it’s fabulous!

Right now I’m blogging from an unlikely place. I came to “work” with Rick today, so I am sitting at a table adjacent to the Vision Research booth at the NAB trade show. Pretty impressive place. My feet are getting a little bit of a rest since we rode the monorail. When he’s finished at around 12:30 we’re going over to the Star Trek Experience, have lunch at Quark’s, and let ourselves be captured by Klingons. Should be fun!

Tonight we have tickets to a show: Cirque due Soleil’s Mystére. We’re pretty much always on the go ... but it is Vegas after all! Time to rest when we return home.

Since Rick needs the computer in the booth today, I am just able to post a few quick shots. Above is our hotel at night. Yes, I know, it looks like Cinderella lives here, but actually it’s King Arthur’s home; Camelot (Excalibur).

Below is the view out my window taken a few minutes ago.
It’s crazy here, and the night goes on and on ...

We’ve had 4.5 inches of rain since this morning. Enough already! My neighbors just called to warn me that the fire department was coming and not to panic, as their basement was flooding. STOP! Enough! We’ve paid our penance for moving to the east coast. Stop the weather already! I head off to Vegas tomorrow and by then the worst of this fierce nor’easter will have passed us by. At least I’m hoping that’s the case. If not, look for us washed down the Passaic and into the Atlantic somewhere.

Enough is enough!!!!!

Here is a photo of “normal”.

Below is a movie I made this afternoon just outside our yard at the same spot as the photo above. Since then we’ve had alot more rain.