We got a very early start this morning (at least for us). We drove the 20 miles to BIKE OUTPOST and arrived at around 9:45am. Turns out, the bicycle store was closed, but there were a few guys meeting there to go out for a ride with a tour guide and Eric joined them! Our timing was perfect! If we had gotten there 5 minutes later, they would have been gone and Eric would not have known where to ride.
For some reason I was able to get minimal TV reception and watched OPRAH and THE PRICE IS RIGHT. I have never been a fan of THE PRICE IS RIGHT, but I wanted to see how Drew Carey is doing. He seems a little out of his element, but he’s a sweet guy, and I think he’ll get better. I polished my nails (since I knew I wouldn’t have time for a manicure today and I really needed one). I don’t do a very good job, but at least it’s fresh and there are no chips! I also answered some emails and made some phone calls.
The bright and colorful decor at CIRCUS CIRCUS:
When Eric got back, we went back to the campground and took showers. Geri and Larry arrived in the early afternoon. They are staying at THE STRATOSPHERE, which is right near our campground. They picked us up at 4:00pm and we went over to CIRCUS CIRCUS to grab a fast bite. We were meeting Audrey at her apartment tonight at 6:30pm to go out for sushi, so we didn’t want to eat much.
Larry, Eric and our "Massage Guy," Chad:
We went to a Mexican/Italian place called MEXITALIA X-PRESS (how creative!) and Geri, Larry and I got Southwest Salads that came in a tortilla bowl. Eric got a Caesar salad with grilled chicken. Then, we walked around the hotel and saw the VITALITY AQUA MASSAGE (It’s time to feel good!), which I had seen the night before. I wanted to wait for Geri and Larry to try it out.
If you haven’t seen these at the mall, or in hotels, they look like tanning beds, but you lay, fully clothed, face down on a massage table and they close a lid on you. There is high-pressure water jets that run up from your feet all the way to your neck and then back again – over and over. There is a thin piece of plastic that covers your body, so you don’t get wet, but you feel the pressure of the jets. It is SO relaxing. It’s definitely not as good as a real massage, but – hey – it’s the next best thing. It costs $15 for 7 minutes; $25 for 15 minutes.
Eric had a headache, so the guy working there put something on his neck called a “massage mouse.” There are two wires that stick to your neck and then there’s a “mouse” that you turn on and it makes the muscles move through electronic impulses. Eric really liked it, so he decided to buy one. The guy said Eric could have a free 15 minute aqua massage with the purchase, so we decided we would all get a 15 minute aqua massage and he said he would just charge the three of us for the 7 minute aqua massage!
Eric and Larry went first and they both loved it. Geri and I went next. I was in heaven, but when I emerged 15 minutes later I saw that Geri had not had a massage after all. She said as soon as she got in there she felt like she couldn’t breathe, it was hot, and she felt very uncomfortable, so Eric took her place and had ANOTHER 15 minute massage! Unfortunately, all that (and 3 Advils from Audrey) did little to relieve Eric’s headache, which just continued to get worse and worse.
We went to pick up Audrey at her apartment and she gave us a tour. It is such a cute condo and is exactly what Eric and I would love to have in San Diego. It is in a lovely complex, her apartment is right on street level (no stairs), she has a parking spot, she’s got two nice-sized bedrooms, two bathrooms, a large living room/dining room/kitchen area, and a fireplace! Who could ask for anything more?
Audrey and Coco:
We left Audrey’s and went nearby to a place called NAKED-FISH’S SUSHI AND GRILL for dinner. We had a bunch of different rolls, and some other appetizers like Vegetable Tempura, Miso Soup and Seaweed Salad (which they call Chuka Salad). One thing I love about sushi is that at every restaurant you go to the names are different. It’s something that each individual sushi restaurant comes up with. We tried all different rolls with great names like Déjà vu, Lisa Lisa, Roppongi, Skip Da Beat, and Naked Crab. Audrey doesn’t go for the spicy stuff, like we do, but she enjoyed the less spicy fare!
Eric wasn’t able to enjoy it all as much as we did, because his headache was so bad. We think it’s a combination of his ride this morning, because it’s so dry riding in the desert and you can get dehydrated so easily, and also the dryness affects his sinuses, which can cause a headache, too. I know my allergies got bad again as soon as I hit Vegas and Larry said his sinuses were bothering him, too. Anyway, we’re all hoping Eric’s better tomorrow , because we’ve got a LOT planned!
Geri and Larry:
It’s so great to have Audrey as a resource, because she’s been here for 18 years and knows all the best places to go and the best things to do. Geri was so excited she was making a list! We’re really going to be on the go for the next few days, and we’ll try to fit as much in as we can!
We had so much fun tonight. It’s so great to see familiar faces again, because we haven’t seen friends or family in over a month. Geri and Larry are two of our best friends, and we’re so happy to see them, and Audrey. It makes our trip to Vegas so much more enjoyable!