Let's go back in time to little Manhattan Beach, CA. Eric Goldwasser and I have known each other..., well, forever. I pushed him off a swing in preschool, and we have been friends ever since. There were times when the only reason I got through the day was because of his friendship and wanting to be the person he thought I was. Eric was also such a great friend that he sacrificed himself during high school to help me perfect the art of kissing. I know, what a guy!
Well, we graduated high school, and then started to get our lives in order. He had suggested "dating" and I have no idea why I said no, but he did not stop being my friend. Then, we just lost touch.
Flash forward 16 years, and I was wondering what had happened to him. The answer - Facebook! What an awesome invention! I found Eric and got to "meet" his wife. Debbie and I totally hit it off, and she is my amazing book library. She actually sends me a box of books from North Carolina so I can enjoy reading. I also completely blame Debbie for getting me hooked on Romance novels. Not the sappy "Fabio" type, but these are really good: Nora Roberts, etc.
So, now, Debbie and I are chatting and getting to know each other. What's not to love about her? She is a book lover, and my childhood friend adores her. So, she invites Ken and me to meet her and Eric in Las Vegas and spend her birthday with her. Not only was I dying to see Eric after so long, but I couldn't wait to actually meet her! Um, then it's VEGAS! Yeah, you're thinking there's no way I would miss out on this trip. Off we go to Vegas.
Ken and I left on a Thursday. We normally avoid Vegas during the "weekend," but we were glad to not be driving in on a Friday. We stopped in beautiful Baker, California. For anyone who does not have a clue where Baker is, here you go:
"Baker is an unincorporated community located in San Bernardino County, California, USA. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 914.
Baker is located at (35.265099, -116.074768).
Baker is located in the Mojave Desert at the junction of Interstate 15 and SR 127 (Death Valley Road). Its elevation is approximately 930 feet (283.5 m) above sea level, which is much lower than either Barstow or Las Vegas, due to its location at the southern end of theDeath Valley geological depression. The Cronese Mountains are located southwest of the community.
Baker's economy is based primarily on tourism. The town is frequently used as a rest stop by drivers on Interstate 15 between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Baker is approximately 90 miles (144.8 km) southwest of Las Vegas. It is the last town for those traveling on SR 127 north to Death Valley National Park or south to the Mojave National Preserve.
The town's most prominent feature is a 134-foot (41m) thermometer, known as the "World's tallest thermometer", visible for miles. Its height commemorates the hottest temperature ever recorded in the United States, 134 °F (56.7 °C), measured in nearby Death Valley in 1913. Summer temperatures in Baker routinely exceed 110 °F (43.3 °C); 2007 saw a record of 125 °F (51.7 °C). In recent years Baker has experienced hard times, with casinos just across the Nevada border at Primm and Jean, Nevada taking much of its motel trade."
There is a school there, and I worked there my first year teaching. It was, undoubtedly, the best year I had for personal growth, and working in Baker taught me that I can teach anywhere. I keep in touch with the woman who was my Instructional Associate, Olga. I will say that I am so very glad that she continued with her education and am proud to report that she is now running the Preschool Program there. I hadn't seen her in a year despite our conversations, and it was great to actually see each other and laugh.
(As you can see, despite the fact that I am feeling better, I still wore my lounge dress for the road trip. Anything tight has not been working well for my surgery incision area.)
After stretching our legs in the 117 degree weather in Baker, Ken and I got into Vegas. The heat was turned up, but we were totally excited! We checked into our hotel and within minutes, Eric and Debbie had arrived. We all decided to take naps and then meet downstairs, which worked out great.
Debbie and Eric met us down at the iBar. Everyone knows how much Ken and I love to use Vegas as the excuse for always having a drink, but it is really a great thing. I loved meeting Debbie - she is so warm and fun, and I was really happy to meet her sister, Beverly, but seeing Eric for me was just amazing. While there was a ton to catch up on, it was as though the years melted away.
Let me interject that I am totally excited to be married to Ken. He never had an issue whatsoever about the tight and long hug that Eric and I shared. For me, it felt as though I had found my childhood again.
Debbie wanted to walk around the Forum Shops in Caesar's Palace, so we all took in the sites. We loved the chocolate shop and I SOOOO wish that I had my camera ready when Ken took a bite of the bacon chocolate! Totally awesome - he hated the stuff.
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| This is where Ken lost his mind. He could not stand the taste of this. I didn't care for it too much, but everyone else liked it. We had to take a picture and post to Facebook - especially for Keri Summers! |
That night, after we rested from the heat infused walk, we headed to Fremont Street. We had Bob, our entertaining taxi driver who was also a musical DJ. We arrived and continued to have a blast. Ken and I enjoyed playing Black Jack while Debbie and Beverly enjoyed the slots. Eric, being the every stable guy just watched us have a great time.
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| The taxi ride |
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| Fremont Street!!! |
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| I spent a lot of time brining up the rear since I had to walk so slow, but it was great! |
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| Ken's silly idea but funny |
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| Me with Eric |
Being the great friend that I am, I want to point out that I was taking a TON of pictures for my friend, Martin Hoover. He was ever so grateful! You can tell that it was hot!
I was happy to receive my text message from Martin that I was the best big sister in the world for taking the pics and sending them. HeeHee.
Ken and I had a great time later at McFaddon's Pub in The Rio. It's our favorite place to hang out and watch people while we drink. Beverly joined us for a while, and we really enjoyed watching the blond chick get escorted by two of her friends.
The next morning was Debbie's 40th birthday. The girls spent the day at the spa. I was not allowed to have the massage, but I got a mani/pedi, and I had a great time entertaining the group and hanging out. I also learned that not only in Debbie awesome (again evidenced by the fact she's married to one of my best friends), but her sister is totally fun! Bev and I had a great time hanging out and getting to know each other. Everyone laughed that I left with the manicurist's phone number for our next visit. Who could turn down the offer of getting a pedicure and then going out for drinks. I just love talking to people and having a great time!
(For anyone who needs to get pampered while in Las Vegas, call Shelly at Euphoria Day Spa in Henderson!!!)
Debbie got her hair and make up done for her birthday, but no one thought to take a picture until the parking garage:
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| Very lovely! |
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| Ken and I waiting for everyone for supper |
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| My geekie IT friend making sure the camera is at the right settings. Of course, I was just as bad with my camera! |
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| Loved the crown and Fabulous 40 accessories! |
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| Here's Beverly!! |
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| Yep, Eric and I were competing for taking pictures. I look forward to seeing the picture of me! |
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| Here's the whole group! |
After three days of partying, we were starting to get tired. Ken and I headed in for an early night while everyone else kept partying.
On Sunday, I had the honor of seeing one of my first students, Gaby. She is living in Vegas, and we always try to get together, but it doesn't usually work out. I was so very excited to see her again, and to meet her boyfriend, Seth. I adore Seth and love that he is good to Gaby, and it was awesome to hear all of the things that have gone on for her. I am no longer going to deny that the majority of my students become my children in my heart, and I always think of them and wonder how they are, and I am so blessed that so many of them keep in touch!
Ken and I had some time before lunch, so I went to Ethel's in the Flamingo for the amazing chocolate, and I splurged on a couple of T-shirts from Margaritaville. Then, we got our table and waited to see them.
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| Ken and I waiting at Margaritaville for Gaby and Seth |
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| Gaby and Seth |
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| Almost like a prom picture! LOL I couldn't love her more if she were my own! |
Ken and I took it easy on Sunday, but we made sure to get together with Debbie, Eric and Beverly that night. Ken and I really wanted to stay - as we always do with Vegas, but we knew the Little People would miss us too much. I also hated saying goodbye to my friends.
This was a great trip for us! Ken and I are already looking forward to our next Vegas trip in November with the Teaching Crew.
Totally fabulous and awesome trip! Thank you, Deb, for inviting us!!!
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