March Vegas Madness Migration

Can I Touch You To See If You're Real      Cause In Nothing There Is Something I Feel    Will My Heart Take The Strain    Or Will It Break Down Again      In Your Lips I Sense A Danger    You've Got The Days Of A Stranger     Have I Been Sleeping For All These Years     Is It Magic That Makes You Appear  When You Walked In The Room I Felt My Heart Race    But Knew I'd Been Fooled When I Looked At Your Face     In Your Lips I Sense Danger     You've Got The Eyes Of A Stranger  

Payolas 

No Stranger To Danger 1982

ST PATTIES:

This adventurous post begins with the first Friday Night Bike Night of 2025. And from there , put a little hurtin' on the old liver. 

Practically a hundred riders arrived and an exiguous amount took to the bike lights concept , the theme , or overall Friday Night Bike Night Shenanigans. The Blue Z , The Dude and Myself supported the St Paddies Day Theme and danm did the smiles from cheek to cheek shine. As we all gathered around , leaders bestowed their speeches upon us all , safety rules were briefly mentioned , and gifts were given to the best dressed in show. So we scored a totally righteous rear red USB rechargeable bike light that were donated by our local bike shop. That is correct , the three of us each scored a band new bike light for Best In Show. And Rechargeable Even 

Obviously the next morning might have been a little rough and I was knees deep with my next house/dog/chicken sitting gig. I packed up a number of necessities , toiletries , and my pillow of course and over the duration of the next few days , I Fell In LOVE. 

I am completely over the moon with these baby chicks. They are so dang cute and filled the room with little baby chicken sounds all afternoon. They bounce around without any direction in mind. Just like puppies , these dinosaurs only stay cute for a short window of time. And our few days shared were special. Delightfully Special 

Sunday afternoon was a gorgeous western slope kind of day and I met up with The Dude for a quick round of disc golf which might have precluded out loud thinking to solidify our travel plans , meals , and other vacation randomness. And for some reason , maybe it was the baby chickens , maybe it was the sleeping owl in the owl box , maybe it was the overall excitement of life , I played incredibly well that delightful afternoon. Maybe Yes Maybe No  

WEDNESDAY 

The morning went well and work was just ok. Nothing flashy , just work. That golden afternoon , The Dude and I packed the car with coolers full of future meals , snacks for the road , veggies , yogurt , and maybe a few cans with plenty of outfits as well. As the auto fired up with life , I still crack up , the odometer reads 99009. Yup , a full house !! 

This 7 hour drive was most uneventful , thankfully. We know the route to Vegas very well as we have covered this stretch almost every year and have for more than 25 times now. But this nonidentical trip would be tackled at night.  No Construction Zones 

Good news was navigating the minimal mundane traffic while scanning the world wide webbie for crucial tournament stats. And boy are they out there!! Good news was not observing desert floor after desert valley after more Utah desert landscape for miles and miles ahead under daylight conditions. What blew my mind was how many homes are lighting up St George Utah , Cedar City Utah , and Vegas that left me speechless. During our usual daytime trips , red stucco homes melt away into the landscape. But not at night. Sin City is Phuc'n repulsive from the highway!! We parked on the driveway ( here is last years post if you're interested in the details of the home , cat , disc , and late night escapades ) of our gorgeous accommodations , unloaded our gear , unpacked our coolers , and socialized with our host. My only complaint for the day was that I experienced horrible dreams all night that first night. Frustrating dreams , tossing and turning until the next wacky dream woke me up , and one completely dead left arm because I slept on it funny. So Bizarre  

THURSDAY

My floating kidneys brought me from my room with a fully tingling left arm and my bladder was full with processed H20 from the night before. A fresh pot of coffee was in brew mode , minty fresh Tom's toothpaste across the pearly whites , and back to my notes for placing bets I went. Lucky for us , this beautiful home is located on the fairway of hole #6 inside a gated community. My cups of Joe never tasted better while witnessing the sunrise and early golfers were driving balls towards me. Thankfully No Slice 

I prepared a standard plant based yogurt with fresh cut up fruits and homemade granola for us and by 9am we were at the Sam's Town sports book for placing our bets. No lines , no waiting , no mess , just easy walk ups for placing bets. Sam's Town flipping rocks. 

We then drove for about 20 minutes West of the strip to meet up with Uncle Grubby. For those of you that are new here , allow me to enlighten you here , Uncle Grubby graduated high school with The Dude back in 1984 and he currently resides in Vegas. 

So the three of us met up here at the Mountain Crest Park Disc Golf Course. What I began to notice was that every single tree was a memorial. Some of these shrines were elaborate and others offered simple plaques with a deceased name and dates. Like Every Tree 

And because the trees have yet to burst with springtime color in full shade trees , a verity of lines appeared for each hole from the appropriate tee-pad. Definitely not the case during Summer months. So for some reason , who knows why , I played so well. I ended the 18 hole round with 4 birdies and no ugly bogies. All because of my longer well placed drives with approachable birdie options. Thanx Vegas 

Again , my only complaint was that I spaced grabbing my GARMIN before heading out. I was concerned with my picks , my bets , my water bottle , my glasses , my hat , my disc , but totally spaced on the technology aspect. For me , I enjoy tracking new courses and I dig checking the elevation gain/loses on STRAVA. So that was a big Phuc up in my eyes. Oh Well 

Good news is that I nailed my bets for the day. I am not a "big" bet kind of guy as I am more of a bragging rights type of bettor. I spent one Benjamin Franklin spread over 10 separate bets. I went 7-3 on the day and that included my ONE for sure bet of a $20 spot with a Michigan cover over UCSD. Nice little one forty two payout because 42 is always the answer. Yes , I dropped $100 to receive $142.70. Those first 6 payouts were $10 bets and the $28 payout was on my $20 bet. Four of these bets were placed on the OVER/UNDER as I predicted the over. That means that the combined score of two teams equals a number that Vegas posted and do you believe it will be less than or greater??? Two of those winning bets were placed on the favorite team to NOT cover the point spread at the half. Allow me to describe the feeling as the "bookie" peals off a C-note , two twenties , two Washington's , and 70 cents in coins. For me , it doesn't matter if it was a thousand dollars or two dollars , I felt indestructible. My pulse was racing , I know that I wasn't breathing while he was counting out the money , and my smile was ironed onto my face. It was all that I could muster up to hold my phone steady for the picture below. Day #1 And I Am On Top Of The World Baby  

FRIDAY

Don't know why but woke up way A$$ early and flopped around until my bladder said ," HELLOOOooo" Didn't have any funky dreams as I was exhausted from the three previous dog/chicken sleeplessness , driving all day Wednesday, zero sleep the night before , walking the course , collecting the emotional wins , and a belly full of goodness. 

During our first full day , the cat was pleased to have humans around during the day. This cat's owner works Mon-Fri in the surgical department so this cat sleeps a good 19 hours a day on normal days. So the cat was happy with the attention that first day but by day number two , the cat was totally annoyed by me. This cat would be happier in a tiny cardboard box by this point.  

After another standard deliciously healthy breakfast with coffee out back , off to place another $100 dollars worth of bets for the day. Basically the same format with 10 $10 bets. But my Phuc-n ego got the best of me. Instead of going with what worked , I decided that I was such a rock star that I would totally bet opposite of what works. When you win , you believe you know all. 

After placing bets , the freeway we drove once again. What became crystal clear is that there are some wicked accidents on these freeways. There were numerous tire skids that calculate well over 120mph / 193kph as control was lost and those skid marks traveled across multiple lanes and up onto the center wall dividers. Or skids that create three and four complete 360's before impacting with something along the way. You know , big city driving at its finest. Yahooo0000000 

We met Uncle Grubby once again and his buddy Mike for another 18 holes. We have played this particular course a total of three different times now and The Dude & I really enjoy its feel. This course follows a drainage behind million dollar homes with a beautiful walking path as well. This course is a must during Summer months because of the humidity from the grass and all the mature shade trees. It also happens to be a dog walkers dream route. Moms with baby strollers , joggers , and normal random walks of life out for a lackadaisical scenic tour.  

The guy teeing off in this photo above is a cameraman for The Vegas Knights professional hockey team. During our brief encounter , he was a super cool chap. Him and his boss caught our group of four , we played one hole together , I birdie that hole , everyone threw par , and on ahead they walked. My tee shots were just ok to average but my putts were remarkable. Almost all of my tee shots hit the nearest tree. 

Now , did I mention shade trees? Trees , like trees , excellent course but damn you trees. I walked away with about 7 birdie chances but only claimed one out of that entire round of 18 baskets. A number of par putts hit the basket , top of the basket, or the base of the pole for a terrible bogie. I managed to finish 3 over par but owned the three boys on the day. Not in a chump dickheaded way , just out played the boys on the round. And if I fashioned all of those birdie attempts , could have finished with an 8 under par or maybe half the course under par. So , did I mention trees? 

Actually , the trees made the day bearable as the temperatures hovered around 80F / 26c but that sun felt searing to my winterized soft A$$. And everything was so colorful and beautiful and those aromas swiftly moved through the park like grandmas fresh hot apple pies cooling in the window frame. The landscaping around this course is spectacular and this is why we always play this course here in Vegas. Plus , it is so peaceful and so far removed from the hustle and bustle of the strip. 

After parting ways with our friends , short drive , The Dude & I landed in Korea Town for some supplies that we just don't have here in Junktown Colorado. This market flipping rocks and leaves hidden surprises around every corner. And of course we were serenaded by overhead speakers with foreign musical riffs thumping who knows what. Music Just The Same 

The two surprises that I didn't remember from previously shopping experiences here was that GMO's have infiltrated the ingredients nowadays. SUCKS. The other that bummed me out was all the pork infused items. Take simple pot stickers. There were about a dozen verities of pot stickers but only ONE package was pork free. It was The Dudes turn to cook dinner that night and we struggled to find meals that were meat and GMO free. Never used to be like that in this here market. 

The photo above , all dried mushrooms! Below , a beef hoof , oof. So after loading up our basket with goodies , checked out , back in the car we drove to the house. While The Dude was cooking up dinner , filled the whole house with savory delights , I hung out back and watch all the bats hunt during sunset. Hundreds of bats were feasting along fairway #6 and I totally dig bats. The bats were not out last year as it was still too chilly but this year we scored with out timing. Holy Golfing Bats 

And now for the bad news. Vegas gave me the biggest swift kick of reality. I went a dismal 3 for 7 for the day. YIKES!! I'll pass on the details but the overs that I did not bet on went over. The seven games that I lost were super close but still a capital L. Talk about bummed!! Talk about the feeling of defeat. Talk about the mind of second guessing and what was I thinking. Talk about What The Flock Of Seagulls 

SATURDAY

Saturday morning brought morning route normalcy. My coffee in the backyard was splendid. While The Dude and I were sharing our morning thoughts , I wasn't completely hungover , informed him that I would collect my depressing wins , lick my wounds , and pass on betting for the day. As him and I piled back into the car , the Odometer reads 99595 , yet another Full House. Coincidence 

After collecting my measly $38 dollars , walked back to the seat next to The Dude , and waited for him to finish up his strategy, my uncontrollable mind spiraled wildly. While I was sitting there and staring at the ODDS Board in front of me , my mind racing with scenarios , Tennessee could cover the 5 points , Houston could cover the 5 points , and TexA$$ Tech could easily cover the 7.5 point spread over UCLA. So what did I do?? I decided to walk up and play with house money. You see , I spent that $100 the day before to collect $38 , I placed that same $38 dollars on a three game parlay , and walked out of the casino. In my mind , I already lost the hundred dollars , so why the Phuc not. House $$$$$ My Friends 

We then drove the rowdy 50 lane highway to meet up with Uncle Grubby and throw some plastic at course #3 in three days. This also happens to be a rather long course and I was well aware that my arm wouldn't last all 18 holes. So I pulled the veteran move and eased way back on my tee-off drives. This blueprint was aces!!! I threw pars on the first 5 holes and then birdied holes #6 and #7. The whole course was butter in my hot skillet before pancakes. The back nine dotted numerous trees throughout the park and I went into creative mode. Example: Hole #12 has a row of trees down the right side just off the tee pad. Grubby and The Dude both threw left of the trees to set up an easy second shot and then a makable putt for par. I on the other hand went to the right of the trees , missed the first tree to the left , between the second and first tree my driver screamed , and that natural flight of a hyzer drive landed my disc within 10 feet of the basket for a birdie attempt. Grubby couldn't believe his eyes as this is his home course. " I have never seen anyone throw that line before." , he tells us. Classic 

The photo above is when The Dude found out that his bracket was a bust as St. John lost and he had them winning the whole enchilada. oops. Like A Big OOPS. After successfully throwing our last round of disc golf in Vegas for 2025 , we shot back to the house , showered , ate , loaded up the cooler with brews , and headed over to Fremont Street for a daytime hangout. Fremont totally rocks during the day!! And that would be when I captured this moment above. 

We usually hit Fremont during St Paddies Day and the evenings are dicy. That is a polite way for saying seeding as all get out. We would enjoy a cold brew , walk back to the car , crack another cold one , walk into a casino to catch an update on the games , and back onto the street to people watch and all while catching the live bands play cover tunes. Back to the car for another can and our pleasant afternoon continued with that trajectory of happy trails to us. 

We casually strolled into the Circa Resort for the first time and that place is amazing. Their sports book is impressive and check out all those screens. The place was packed and so full of life with college basketball fans. It is exactly why we travel down to Vegas for March Madness. Everyone is there for the same common denominator. Beat Vegas 

After a few cold craft beers , after the important afternoon games concluded , we headed back to the house for dinner. During our first full day , still rocking the vegan thang , I served up a three bean burrito dish with two secret ingredients of grated jicama and crushed cashews. Obviously with avocado , tomatoes , lettuce , and plant based cheese. Everyone at the house raved how these burritos exceeded all expectations and how QDOBA couldn't compete with these beauties. And tonight , I dialed up one of my better veggie and garbanzo bean coconut curries. This of course was spread over Jasmine Rice and all parties were pleasantly surprised. Loaded with protein and fiber with a mild curry flavor. Oh Baby 

After dinner , it was a perfect time for a Saturday Night field trip on the strip. This was an unforgettable night !! 

We exploited our host's MGM Premier Card and parked for FREE at the Bellagio and that worked like the cats meow. We booked it straight for our first fountain show of the evening and our timing was everything. First of all , this was the first time that we have witnessed smoke/fog before a show. Dynamite 

That fog brought out a whole element and let the games begin. Instead of walking from casino to casino , we camped out and people watched from inside the Bellagio. We bellied up to two ideal chairs with a view of the main walkway between Caesars and The Bellagio. YES

We laughed , the staff loved us , we laughed some more , and we had the time of our lives just hanging out and watching the world in motion. The other surprising revelation was dog walkers inside the casino. Seriously , dog walking is a thing in Vegas. Dog owners figured out that casino blast AC and dogs dig walking. Woman were walking around with oversized fanny packs and those contained tiny little dogs in them. It was so funny to see those dogs heads poking out while the ladies were playing slots right next to us. We Laughed All Night 

When we mustard up the energy , back for a fountain show we dawdled. When we were tired of standing , we sat and people watched. When we desired a change of pace , over to the observatory we loitered. When we witnessed something , we laughed some more. Raw Belly Laughter 

I offered to snap numerous photos for folks that where in the observatory area. I got a big kick out of it because those phone screens were wild. iPhones are so big now and the detail is amazing. But I captured the moment for couples , families , and anyone that politely asked me to do so. And of course folks asked The Dude & I for a photo as well. Cheese 

And while we were ruminating on the strip outside of the Bellagio and patiently waiting for another illuminating water show , that was when a whole new unscripted world slithered our way. We laughed , people laughed at us , and so many people coming and going that you forget what a city of 3.5 million people is like. Like ALL walks of life. Like ALL races of humans. Like languages from afar. Team Human 

And speaking of languages , the most classic event of all , I know the The Dude and I are on the WW dot Web for sure. Two hispanic kids walked up to us with a lady filming behind them. The one guys say to me with a fluffy microphone in hand," If you can say ten words in Spanish then I will give you ten dollars." Now I am in no shape to chat , was oblivious to watch they were pulling , and I basically didn't take them to heart. I gave them two made up words. The first word was Archie-ben-knog-o-woggy and they didn't know what to say with their eyes as big as silver dollar coins. The first guy again says ," How about a Spanish word?" So my second word was Hose-r-whop-o-zanniac. The second guy says," That is good that you are trying." So they direct their attention to The Dude for 10 Spanish words for $10 dollars. Each word in Spanish that he gave them they jumped like children skipping rope with joy. His first word was Cervesa and they clamped and gave hoots and hollers. With each correct Spanish word , their excitement grew ten folds. The Dude gave 9 excellent words in Spanish and then froze. The two kids and the lady were like," Come ON!! One More Word!!" I learned in and said," Numero Ocho." The Dude said Ocho and those kids went ballistic!! You would've thought that they won the flipping lottery. They were high five'n us and yelling and just acting like carefree kids. They went on their way down the strip towards The Aria Casino and what a night. A quick glance at The Dude and he is holding a ten dollar bill. They actually paid him the ten dollars for the ten words in Spanish. Well Done 

The entire evening was full of entertainment, our guts hurt from laughing all night , and we have at least another twenty stories that played out that night. Just another non typical Saturday Night on the Strip. We Live On 

SUNDAY 

Sunday morning was spent packing up , loading up the auto , coffee by the pool , breakfast , and showers. We were out the door by about 9am and heading for Sam's Town to cash out. 

Remember that $38 dollar bet??? Remember that one bet with house money?? Remember how I wasn't going to place a bet because I was wearing my big boy pissy pants?? My ticket hit for a ridiculous $262.20!! I wish that you all could have been a fly on the wall when that bookie counted off two hundred and sixty-two dollars. This means on this trip , out of pocket , I dropped $200 out of pocket , played with 38 dollars of house money , and departed Vegas with my $42 + $24 equaling one hundred and sixty six crisp dollars in hand. Boom Shakalaka Boom  

The drive back was beautiful because I was driving on cloud nine. Nothing was going to stop me from enjoying this entire day. We started off towards a brutal headwind but I camped behind a BMW X5 that was following a red GMC suv car thing. While we rolled to St George as a trio , The Dude and I analyzed everything from upcoming events to work schedules to dynamics of family life to this Summers travel ideas. The miles effortlessly pealed back through the rearview mirror and our car was filled with chatter. One of the better 7 hour drives for sure. 

The return trip was all for this guy. Yup, returned from Vegas for another week long dog/house sitting gig. Yup , another week in a foreign bed. Yup , another week of packed up clothes. Yup , another week of making another animal miserable. Classic 

And to end this trip like we started the trip , FRIDAY NIGHT BIKE NIGHT BABY!!!! The Blue Z , The Dude And Myself were back in action. Friday Night Bike Night is that carrot dangling out there at the end of the work week. So Worthy 

I now leave you with a time lapse from the backyard overlooking the 6th fairway in Vegas. This is were I sipped my cup of Joe every morning. Peaceful Easy Feeling. During this time lapse , The Dude was making his morning calls , I am enjoying my coffee , and golfers are hacking away. All in a days work my friends. And would you all do my a huge favor , please drop a comment on this video and let me know where to hail from. That would be most appreciated. Seriously , Much Appreciated  

Until The Next Installment , Dream It , Achieve It , And Enjoy Another Fabulous April 

Cheers