The Neon Museum and Sonic Milkshakes

Though we're here in Las Vegas for David's mum, we're definitely not occupied 24x7, so we're always on the look-out for things to see and do that we haven't done before. Some attractions are pretty pricey here in Vegas, but others are free or offer significant discounts for locals. You know us … we search out the best entertainment for the least amount of bucks. It's part of our cruising nature and philosophy. After a little research, I learned about the Neon Museum and thought it might be worth a drive-by.  

The Visitor's Center is the original lobby of the historic La Concha Motel. It's so 1960's with a curvi-linear, shell-shaped space-age Jetsonian design. (You remember the Jetsons, don't you?) It was originally constructed in 1961 on Las Vegas Boulevard and was saved from demolition in 2005 and became the Visitor's Center for the Neon Museum in 2006. Some of the original signs are still in the lobby. It's a bit surreal looking … think Flying Nun habit.

The Neon Museum bills itself as “Part history. Part art.” and it is. It's the world's largest collection of neon signs. What better place than Las Vegas for that? It has an “unrestored collection of over 150 rescued architectural landmarks from some of the city's most celebrated properties”. The museum maintains the collection in a 2-acre lot called “the Boneyard”. We wandered around the lobby for a bit, looking around. Unfortunately, the admission fee is $25/pp for a guided one-hour tour in the evening. A bit too rich for us. It was hard to even sneak a peek into the Boneyard with its high fences and heavy mesh.

In researching a little further, however, we found there was a free driving tour of nine restored signs mostly along Las Vegas Boulevard with a downloadable map and descriptions. Why not? The most impressive was the Hacienda Horse and Rider installed originally in 1967.

We spotted and photographed all nine of the signs. Each with its own story. Each with its own contribution to downtown Las Vegas' colorfully-lighted history.

In keeping with the 50-60's motif of the day, we stopped at Sonic Drive-In for a “hand-crafted milkshake”. Sonic has been around since the early 1950s and we remember the girls on roller skates who used to serve at car side. The roller skates are gone, but the carhops still deliver your order right your car.

In keeping with our parsimonious natures, we waited till after 8pm when the milkshakes are 2-for-1. We figured this was our reward for … well, really, who needs a reason for a milkshake?

A Day in June

“And what is so rare as a day in June?

Then, if ever, come perfect days”

James Russell Lowell

I remember memorizing this poem by 19th century Romantic poet, James Russell Lowell, in my freshman high school English class for Miss Frye. This morning when I walked out the door for my morning walk to the park, the true essence of the poem caught me … it's taken quite a few years for the impact to hit. Lowell was born here in New England and must have experienced the very same feeling I did this morning in order to capture it the way he did, so very simply, in his writing.

There was a light breeze. The temperature was lovely … warm, but not hot … no sweater needed. Filtered sun in a broken blue sky warmed my back, but didn't burn. Earlier in the season, perhaps it would have been too cool at this time of day or the flowers wouldn't have bloomed yet. Later in the season, the heat and humidity will be oppressive. But this day in June …this day was perfect. I could have walked forever, but I had to keep stopping because every time I visit Bird Park there's always something new and different to see and I hate to miss a thing. Some days I go two or three times. Turtles were out of the pond and laying eggs today. I saw two rather large snappers dragging their heavy, clumsy, not-designed-for-land bodies up a hill and digging holes in the soft dirt to deposit their eggs. Laborious efforts to procreate.

I could hear a woodpecker somewhere nearby. Robins, ravens, sparrows, chicadees and blackbirds all added to the morning chorus. The soft cooing of mourning doves could be heard when the other birds took a break. I walked by some birdhouses away from the main path and barn swallows had taken up residence. They weren't keen on my being too close and swooped down a few times to make their feelings known.

The geese and ducks were preening and planning their day. Some lay along the edge of the pond. Others urged their young ones into the water for a morning swim. The goslings are growing most noticeably. Most have lost their yellow down feathers and have gained significant weight and size in the last week or so. I try to give them plenty of distance, but this morning they were heading right for me and finally just went around me when I didn't move … no hissing involved.

There aren't many ducks around … only one mallard that I've seen. He comes and goes at will. One female has a duckling and another has two. I seldom see them in the same pond although you'd think they'd enjoy each other's company once in awhile. I think the geese have pretty much taken over the area with all their goslings and the ducks seem to be low on the pond hierarchy and keep to themselves.

A pair of herons sit sentry in one of the two ponds every day. This morning only one was around. He stood stock still, watching for breakfast and nabbed a fish in the blink of an eye. The fish was down his gullet and the heron resumed his statue-pose without the slightest hesitation.

Wild multiflora roses are in bloom now. Their fragrance is so sweet as it wafts on the breeze. I catch a whiff of it as I'm walking past and it's hard not to smile. Laurel are beginning to bloom, too. The smells mingle with the freshly cut grass on the manicured lawns. Omnipresent dandelion and hawkweed cover parts of the unmown hill and certain areas have been left to grow tall grasses.

I sat on a cement park bench for a few minutes just to appreciate it all. Carpe diem … especially those “diems” in June.

Beatles in the Park

We've attended Pumpkins in the Park and ice cream socials and even a Shakespearean play in Bird Park. A small, simple sign announced that there would be a Beatles Concert in the park this weekend. Though we weren't sure that Paul and Ringo would show up, (you just never know), Lin and I decided we'd walk over and give a listen. We're glad we did.  

The old granite bathhouse venue served as a stage for the band. People set up lawn chairs or laid blankets or just sat on the grass. Some brought picnic lunches. The Friends of Bird Park sold hot dogs, chips and soda. The atmosphere was festive and expectant.

It was a perfect June evening in New England. The temp hovered around 75F/24C. The mosquitoes kept their distance, the air smelled sweet and the music floated on the air. The band, Beatles For Sale, was good.

They were touted as “New England's award-winning Beatles tribute band” and true to their promotional hype, these five musicians did indeed pay fine tribute to the Fab Four … complete with harmony and British accents (kind of).

The concert was the proverbial “blast from the past”. Penny Lane, Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Back in the USSR, Michelle, Daytripper, Yesterday, She Loves You (yeah, yeah, yeah), Please Please Me … Everyone, young and old, knew the lyrics and the crowd sang along enthusiastically. One old fellow (okay … he was my age actually) sported a Beatles t-shirt.

People clapped their hands or tapped their feet in rhythm. Some danced to the beat. Some danced (or marched) to their own drummers.

For nearly two hours, the band played on and Beatlemania was alive and well in East Walpole, Massachusetts and the Lemay sisters sang and sang and sang.