Rod Stewart-Vegas Trip Part 2

TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2024

We had a smooth flight from Atlanta and got a welcome surprise with cooler temperatures than we expected! It was only 114 degrees on the day we arrived, and it was a dry heat! We had been keeping an eye on the weather in Vegas for a couple of weeks and I gotta tell you... reading about daily highs that reached 120 degrees really freaked me out!

I was thrilled to see these billboards all around, even at the Las Vegas airport!

We decided to go out and see some sights. After our early flight and time difference, we didn't want to do anything too crazy. After all, tomorrow would be the BIG DAY!

TUESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2024

It's our anniversary! 42 years ago, we said, "I do!"

Our plan for the day was to head out for a bit of sightseeing and lunch, before going back to our hotel for a little rest before getting ready for Rod!

We were wandering around Paris Las Vegas when we found this really cute restaurant and decided it would be an excellent place for our anniversary lunch.

When Ray mentioned it was our anniversary, our adorable waiter, Max, brought us a special surprise! 

Happy 42nd Anniversary

TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT

While chatting with Max, we enthusiastically shared our excitement about seeing Rod that night. Max mentioned that he had heard Rod still puts on a fantastic show with so much energy, and he was sure we would have an incredible time!

When Max went to check on some other customers, I decided to take a quick peek at my email.

And...this was the first email that popped up....

Wait! What?????? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO It took a minute for that to sink in. Ray thought I was joking at first. But I did some checking and saw this on Instagram....

This was unbelievable! He performed at Caesar's on Friday, Saturday, and Monday, and did some impromptu shows at other clubs on the strip, but now on Wednesday, he has to cancel? On the night I have tickets for? On our anniversary? NOOO!

Max came back to check on us and he couldn't believe the news about the canceled show either. He was so sweet, and he tried to think of some other shows or events we might be interested in, but I was still too shocked and upset to think about what we would do with our evening.

I tried to put on a happy face, especially when Max brought us this beautiful (and delicious) little cake! He was genuinely trying so hard to make us feel better. He even gave me a hug as we were leaving and said he hoped we would still have a lovely evening celebrating our anniversary.

I totally got why Rod had to cancel, and I only wanted what was best for him and his health, but I was still really, really, sad.

NO ROD?? WHAT NOW??

Ray knew how much I had been looking forward to seeing Rod at Caesar's Palace. He also knew me well enough to know that the only thing that might make me feel a little better about the situation would be a visit to a good Mexican restaurant! 

And a pitcher of Margaritas certainly wouldn't hurt!

Three women were sitting next to us in the restaurant, consoling themselves with a large pitcher of Margaritas. They had flown in from Maryland to see Rod Stewart and had even gone to the Colosseum with tickets in hand, only to find out the show had been canceled. 

Although I was disappointed about not seeing Rod, I thoroughly enjoyed a fantastic meal (and Margaritas) with Ray in celebration of our 42 years of marriage!

Wednesday morning, I woke up with a slight hangover and was having a tiny pity party for myself because I didn't get to see Rod. After having a lot of coffee and some food though, I started feeling better and was ready for some new adventures in Vegas!

And....later some very expensive lunch!

FREMONT STREET

Everyone we talked to prior to this trip insisted we needed to check out Fremont Street, so after a short nap, we hopped in a Lyft and headed there.

There were some interesting sights, but it was WAY TOO HOT to be walking around!

After some time wandering around the Fremont Street area, we were happy to find a place to eat that was a bit less crowded, quieter, and much cooler! Barry's was expensive, but the food and drinks were great, and the staff and atmosphere were superb!

We didn't really have any specific plans for the remainder of our trip. On Thursday and Friday, we enjoyed exploring more of the hotels and casinos on the strip, where we ate, drank, and enjoyed our time together.

                                                                 

                                           

There was so much good food! Amazingly, the walking seemed to have helped balance out some of the extra calories I consumed on the trip, as I didn't gain any weight!

When we were heading back to our hotel on Friday night, we encountered a lot of traffic near the stadium. Our Lyft driver informed us that the traffic was caused by the Morgen Wallen concert. It was the second day of sold-out Wallen concerts. I remarked to Ray, "That explains why we have seen so many young women wearing cowboy hats, boots, and skimpy outfits here in Vegas!" 

Later that night, I found out that Tom Brady, another favorite of mine, had escorted Wallen onto the stage for the show!

I GOT YOU BABE 🎶

So, Tommy was only 5 minutes from our hotel?? I told Ray about Brady being there, and I looked at him and said, "Sooo...Rod stood me up, Tommy didn't call to let me know he was in town, but ya know...(this part was sung with my best somewhat drunken Cher impersonation)...I GOT YOU BABE!!" 

I am incredibly thankful for my husband of 42 years. Rod's music has helped me through tough times, and Tom Brady's football gave me something to look forward to during my breast cancer treatments, but despite many challenges, Ray has been there in person, showing love and care throughout it all.

Even though our trip didn't go exactly as planned, we still had fun, and I'm thankful we were able to go.

Now....Rod Stewart in Vegas in March of 2025??? HMMMMM!!!!

Rod Stewart-Vegas Trip? Part-1

In my last post, I talked about how awesome it is to see Rod Stewart live in concert and mentioned I'd share more about that. 

So, A few months ago, an article popped up on my Facebook feed saying that after touring worldwide, Rod Stewart was coming back to Las Vegas in July to finish his 13-year residency at The Colosseum at Caesar's Palace. His final show would be on August 7th, which also happened to be the day my husband and I would be celebrating 42 years of marriage!

When I talked to my bestie that day, I jokingly told her that with the date, the stars lining up, and my love for Rod, it must be fate - I just had to go! But was I really joking? Before we hung up, we both agreed that we absolutely had to make the Vegas trip happen and that she and her husband would join us. Crazy, right?

As I have mentioned before, I rarely go anywhere these days because of my cancer treatments and the weak immune system that comes with them... So, a trip to Vegas would be absolutely out of the question?! Even to see Rod?? When I mentioned it to my hubby, he said, "Let's do it!" WHAT????!!

So, I didn't hesitate. I immediately went online and bought tickets for the show. A few weeks later, we booked our flights and hotel. There was no turning back now!

A SPANNER IN THE WORKS?

If you are a Rod Stewart fan (and if you are not...what is wrong with you??), you probably know that he had an album in 1995 called "A Spanner In The Works." I will admit that I had never heard this term before his album came out. It turns out it is mainly used in the UK.

What does it mean?

If someone or something throws a spanner in the works, they cause problems that prevent something from happening as planned. 

In this case, health issues threw a spanner in the works, forcing my friend and her husband to cancel their plans to join us in Vegas.  

I completely understood their reasons, but I was really sad that they couldn't go. I was looking forward to spending time in Vegas and seeing Rod together.

I was thinking of canceling the trip, but my bestie said, "No way!" After talking it over with Ray, we decided to go for it. Even though our friends couldn't come along, we were really looking forward to seeing our favorite performer and celebrating our anniversary.

So, the shopping began! I would need a cute but comfortable outfit for the concert and other clothes appropriate for Las Vegas! And FOUR pairs of shoes?!! And possibly a couple of new purses? Don't ask!

Even though my BBF (not a typo!) wouldn't be making the trip, she spent so many hours listening to me plan my wardrobe for the trip and had to look at endless photos of outfits. She is the best friend anyone could ever hope for! After some anxiety over what clothes to take, worry about blood counts that were lower than usual, and some family issues, things started to fall into place, and pretty soon, we were headed to Vegas, baby!

TO BE CONTINUED...