Gary has just started a new job so we could not take an extended amount of time. We left after work on Thursday. We were driving out. Gary had the van stocked with plenty of water, Pepsi, Lipton Peach Tea for Chris and books on tape. We were set for an 18 hour drive! Since we were leaving after work we set our first goal for Santa Rosa, New Mexico for Wednesday night. This would leave us about a 10 hour drive on Thursday.
We made our goal about 10:30 (we had gained an hour when we crossed into New Mexico) and got checked into a small hotel. Older hotel - nothing fancy but clean and cheap. All we needed as we planned to be back on the road by 6:30. Bed was comfortable and we slept well. What we didn't know, since we checked in after dark, was that the railroad track ran right behind the hotel. Good thing Gary was already up and in the shower the next morning when the train came by. This would have been a very harsh awakening. LOL
Onward to Vegas!
Stephen King's audio book Dr. Sleep had been our companion since we left. Very intense book. My favorite author! We continued our drive. I'm very excited as I know I will get to see two of my daughters that I don't get to see very often. And what's even better - one daughter whom I usually see once a year - this will be the FOURTH time I have seen her this year!
The drive is pretty normal for us all the way to Flagstaff as we make it frequently. This time though we are headed on west - exploring new country. We arrived in Vegas about 3:00 pm. We got checked into our hotel and then wandered around. We were meeting the bride and groom for dinner along with his parents at 5:30.
We let Chris loose on his own. Beware Vegas.
Our other daughter arrived late that night - I stayed up to give her a quick hug and then went to bed.
We do not party as late or as much as our daughters do.
Friday morning we just hung out. We told Chris he could explore but to keep track of where he was and call us if he needed anything. We finally got everyone together and decided to do the monorail - now we have to find Chris to join us. This proved to be interesting. Chris doesn't like to read and has never made it a priority. He catches the first couple of letters of a word and then decides what he thinks it should be. Gary spent about 20 minutes on the phone trying to track him down from behind the 'place we watched the show last night' to 'the place where I ate'. Fremont Street became Foundation Street. And he was actually outside the hotel not inside.
A fun day of exploring started. Gary, Chris and I had never been to Vegas so we were all agog. Chris decided he really likes this place. On his own exploring that morning he took in many sights and experiences. He had his picture taken with two Vegas show girls. He showed his sister the picture but said 'don't tell Mom.' He also got one shoe shined. He wears orange tennis shoes and they were a little scruffy looking. Someone offered to do one for free. Chris let him. He did not want to pay to have the other one cleaned though. He was pretty proud of how well that one cleaned up.
Vegas has taken it out of Chris.
Saturday - WEDDING DAY! The bride and female family gathered in one room to get her hair and makeup done. She had a good friend who offered to do this for her. Tarinda set up a small buffet of food and a bar. Mimosas, champagne, Bloody Mary's, bagels, cream cheese, meat, cheese.
My girls take after Gary when it comes to food.
They also take after my brother Wayne when it comes to drinking.
We finally get her dressed and she's beautiful!!
Now off for some pictures around the hotel and with family before a limo ride to the Chapel.
Charlie had a convertible dress. It was a long dress with small train. The skirt detached to become a short dress. This created some unique situations. She wanted to keep it a secret from groom and guests. Anyone who happened to step on the train would cause it to come unsnapped - even the bride herself could cause this. We made a security guard around her as she walked to protect the skirt from becoming detached.
It's a testament to my daughter and new son-in-law on how much they are loved and respected by their friends. This destination wedding had 37 guests from out of town. (10 of us were family) They had friends from Washington, Kansas City and of course many from their hometown of Buckeye, Arizona.
The ceremony went off without a hitch. Adam could not read the vows he had spoken and ended up ad-libbing and as Charlie said "when did he become a comedian?" There were tears by bride and groom and of course myself and I even handed Gary a tissue.
Limo ride back to the hotel - now it's time to party!
But wait! Gary and I have to head home tomorrow and we are driving it straight through. Gary decided he would go to the room at 8:00 and get a few hours sleep as we plan on leaving at 2:00 am for our drive home. I join the wedding party and we head to Fremont street. What an experience! I head back to the hotel about 10;30 to get some rest before we head out.
2:00 am - we are wheeling our luggage down the hallway to the van passing Toby Keith's when who do we see? The bride and groom and a few friends still celebrating. One more good bye, tearful hugs and we are on our way home. We will take turns driving and sleeping.
We finish our Stephen King book between our sleep shifts and 18 hours later, two different time zones (where we 'lose' 2 hours of time) we are pulling into our driveway at 10:45 pm. We have to be up early for work the next day. The wedding was wonderful, the time with family even more so and we are happy to welcome a new son-in-law to the family.
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