Friday Morning
I would awake at 07:00 wide awake and ready for what would be a challenging day. I started my day off by taking a nice shower, that always makes me feel better when I'm feeling under the weather.
I would finish packing my belongings, and doing a once over of the condo to make sure nothing would get left behind after my departure. WE would have more than enough time to walk down and enjoy one last breakfast plate, I would grow to miss this although returning home means Chorizzo Breakfast Taco's from FRESH. After breakfast we returned to the room to relax for a hour or so before we would head to the airport. We decided to head to the Airport a few hours early and luckily for us we did because we had been bumped off our flight to an earlier one that was due for departure a mere 40 minutes after we stepped out of the taxi.
Speaking of taxi I took this as we pulled into Mcarrin International,
I forgot to mention my boss would stay behind and fly out hours later as he flew a different carrier, at any rate me and his step dad ran through the terminal towards the TSA checkpoint OHH CRAP TSA. They would surely delay us causing us to miss the flight, luckily for us we got right through. Although I must have been looking pretty attractive because I got the free massage "Pat Down" he even made me take my belt off. As I was getting the enhanced security procedure I did have the nerve to say "Don't you want to at least buy me dinner first" as luck would have it the Agent patting me down had a sense of humor and laughed.(That is the key make people laugh)
We would make it on the flight to Amarillo with only a few minutes to spare.
AS we departed Las Vegas, Nevada
The Strip would slowly disappear into the horizon
While in the air I was reminded of why Southwest is the best airlines to fly, the people are just so nice customer service is top notch and it makes flying a breeze. What does not however is a sinus infection as I had a very difficult time getting my ears to equalize and had to chew gum the whole time. Again one of the flight attendants was so nice to give me several sticks out of her pack of gum, such a nice gesture especially since she didn't know me. They also gave me a constant supply of fresh ice water as my throat was sore and dry. Again testimony to the quality of customer service of Southwest airlines. A short 2 1/2 hours later we would land in Amarillo, Texas.
Although we would land to some bad news, we where getting bumped off the plane (2:30Pm) and the next flight to Dallas love field was not until 7:45Pm.
Of course I was bummed as all I wanted to do was get home. Luckily there was a possibility that 2 seats could be open, in just a few minutes we would know our fate. Well there was only one open seat, "Never leave a Man behind" a phrase that has always been taught to me by people I consider Role Models. After a few minutes of deliberation my partner in crime insisted I go on to Dallas, Tx and from there I would drive home to Flint, Tx.
During a Short 50 minute flight to Dallas I did manage to take this picture of the Sun Setting over Dallas.
Landing at Love Field.
Walking through the airport.
After waiting for a few minutes to retrieve my Bag I awaited outside. Thankfully my bosses Mom was free to come to the Airport and Take me to collect a vehicle for the drive home. Not being all that familiar with Dallas she gave me directions of how to get back to I20 and HOME.
I would wind my way from Dallas Suburbs through I635
By this time is was growing close to 8:00Pm with all the delays and I was exhausted, so I decided it best to stop and get a bite to eat in Mesquite where I got Lost. Thankfully I pulled my bearings together and found my way back to I635 afterwards I would stop right off the highway and procure plenty of water and a energy drink for the ride home. I finally pulled up in my driveway at 10:45 that night and walked into my lovely room to my comfortable bed where I would sleep for the next 10hrs (unheard of for me). I'm not sure if it was being home or the first good nights sleep in my own bed but I felt much better, still not cured but definitely liveable.
See you next year Las Vegas!!!
Thursday
Around 06:00 Thursday morning we awoke to the sound of a low thumping of helicopter rotor blades cutting through the air. I looked outside to see a Sikorsky helicopter dropping very large objects that I can only imagine where HVAC components onto the neighboring building. After 45 minutes of this I was able to catch another short nap before we had to awake and get ready to leave for the show. We did however manage to find time to stop and grab our usual breakfast plate, it has become the highlight of our day at least for me.
Today was a little different as I had already seen what I wanted to, so I decided to take pictures of some of the more elaborate or larger booths and displays at SHOT SHOW this year.
Obviously my Favorite
Crimson Trace had a large 20' Diameter Hanging sign
Aimpoint had a 20' wall in their booth
Larue Tactical based here in Texas had something simular
Now Comes the Top 4 Biggest Displays inside the Expo
First up Safariland,
Their Booth was over 4K square feet and featured massive hanging banner ads
Next was Team Realtree
Their Booth had massive cedar beams forming 15'-20' tall awnings at one point even a stone chimney.
Another impressive wood structure was Nikon's dual 2 Story cabins connected via massive dog run style overhang that reached a height of 35' feet and covered over 5K square feet. You can see it clearly from over 100yds
I know what your thinking how could you possibly top that.
Well OTIS manufactures of weapon cleaning supplies found a way with a massive pipe structure that was 3 stories tall, had massive big screen TV's, a full bar on one end, and covered several thousand square feet.In fact I took this picture from over 75 feet away to get it in frame
I decided to take several pictures just to show the massive size of the SHOW in the upper floor.
Now keep in mind, all these pictures are still only about 20% of the show. The bottom floor is just as large if not larger than the top floor. There where 7 additional rooms off the main top and bottom sections. The 3rd and 4th floor had 2 additional rooms each as well. That does not include the live firing range demonstrations being held outside the city and training classes being held at satellite locations as well.
As I was walking out of the show that afternoon I happened upon 3 service dogs who had been extremely busy during the show searching for explosives and other dangers to the many Defense manufactures, Contractors, Military/Federal/State/Police buyers, and Civilians attending the show over the course of the 3 days.
This guy was still pretty active
These two on the other hand where like me exhausted and in need of a good nights sleep!!!
German Shepherds also happen to be my favorite breed of dog and one that I have never had the pleasure of owning. Some day I would like a full blood solid black German Shepherd like the one pictured above.
Thursday Night, I would go out to dinner with the guys and would have the opportunity to walk through the Hard Rock Cafe to read all the music memorabilia wow the cool stuff they have on display. I really wish I would have had the foresight to take pictures of everything but it would have taken 15 more updates to this story to get it all in here. When we returned to the hotel I would sort through all the free SWAG I had gathered throughout show. I then proceeded to pack all my clothes that night in advance so I could sleep in the next morning (that was a wise decision as I would need the rest and still did not feel well). I remember falling asleep watching one of my favorite TV shows Family Guy. I needed some comedy in my life after a week of being sick and away from everything that I know and care about.
Stay tuned for the final chapter...
