The great adventure to Connecticut Part 4 The Show and after Show

I woke up the next morning feeling refreshed and amazing, after-all it was the first solid nights rest I had in the past week. We walked to the elevator and I see this amazing view of the Thames River

Now I do not have a picture to describe because we quickly found Nicholas in a very Dark place, that has no Energy Drinks. Yep a 36 story 20+ acre facility, with 50+ shops, 20+ restaurants and NO ENERGY DRINKS... To say I'm addicted to highly caffeinated drinks is well, The understatement of the millennium. So at this point I'm starting to get really nervous... Then I found the Next best thing in a bowl of Ice care of the Distributor putting on the Show.

Authorized Personnel Only

BTW, I love this ID Badge Holder. It was a Gift from Melodie G. Who works for one of our Gear Vendors I saw her wearing it last year at SHOT Show 2011. (stay tuned next week for the real time updated blog of SHOT Show 2012) I inquired on where to get one as it has the American Flag embroidered on the flap (My Favorite Feature), has a clear badge ID panel, pen and card slots on the back and a nice internal pocket for a MP3 player or wallet. When we arrived back at the Shop from that show last year I had one of these with my Name on it awaiting in the massive pile of UPS Deliveries. Thanks again

So We (both owners of the shop) walked all the booths hosted by Major Vendors in our Industry and Decided to Start with Remington LE. WE got to look at some new precision rifles and breaching shotguns that we will start to carry, and placed an order for several other Firearms we order Manufactured by Remington. All the while the Sales Rep "Ed" is cracking Jokes, and telling Funny stories, at one point we started feeding off each other and setting each other up for jokes. So much so we had the two owners rolling on the floor laughing.

"Ed" asked "why I was kinda moping around if I was such a comical Guy ?" 

I Said "Well Ed, I normally drink Energy Drinks and they don't have any" Ed Replies" I will be right back buddy"

He comes back and tells me how "Monster has started making a new energy drink, that is carbonated using a new process involving Nitrous which is so much smoother and taste better" 

I retort "Well thanks for the Tip, but they don't have any Energy drinks here, and I almost go to Tears" 

Ed Retorts " Yeah I know that's why I brought you this out of my Stash"

Ed Did not realize it but that simple Gesture Earned him not only a Customer, but a Friend for LIFE.

My day was going a lot better by then, so much so I did not even argue when they wanted to go by Glock Handguns (Not the biggest Glock Fan Here).

At most Shows Manufactures and Distributors have all kinds of FREE SWAG. Pens, Lights, Tablets, Bags, all kinds of neat usable things. Well not at this show

If you have ever wondered this is what a 8.4K Dollar Pen Looks Like, Yep we only got 2...

During the next few Hours we questioned some Ammunition Manufactures about what was hot and new and decided it best to go back to the room and get a list of SKU's so when we place our orders it will go smoother. So we left the Show and returned to the Room and knocked out a few hours of work. We where invited to a Comedy Show being hosted at a upscale Italian Restaurant, best part OPEN BAR and FREE FOOD...

Here is another nice shot of the River as the Sun was Setting.

Now I'm not a big drinker, I would not even call myself a Social Drinker. But I only had one Energy drink today so far and the only Way to get more Highly Caffeinated Goodness was to Order a Vodka Redbull. So taking advantage of being in a hotel and it all being free I had just a couple during the night with my food. That will probably be the only Alcohol I drink this year, as when I'm home I do not to drink so I can remain alert and ready to run calls with the FD.

They also had the most Amazing Glacier Water I have ever tasted, I'm talking some "High Quality H2O"

The Food was TO DIE FOR, I have another confession to make. Until Recently (last few months) I have never been a big eater of Italian Food, but here recently I have really gotten to like it.

Some nice Whole Shrimp was on the Menu, Parmesan Chicken and Veal, Meet balls,  Scallops, and My Favorite Fresh Italian Pizza...

OMG It was so amazing, Words can't describe the Awesomeness that embodied this food. I would go back just for it, ( I would take plenty of NOS energy drinks though)

So after stuffing myself full, I decided to turn in early for bed and awake early to start a Mini Adventure.

My Mini Adventure

So I decided the Night before while eating, I would awake early and go in search of and PROCURE a Small CACHE of Energy Drinks. So I walked out of the room and again was amazed by this view

 So I opened my handy Iphone 4s (love this thing, not sure how I survived before life with it) and Googled the closest Gas station and found out there was one on the outside of the main gate. So I walk to the concierge desk and ask here how to get there, I inform her I will be walking on foot. 

She Says " It is on the outside of the main BLVD and it is illegal to walk down the main BLVD per tribal law" So now it's a Official Conspiracy!!!

I ask her "If they would have Energy drinks?" 

She said "NO, but our employee Walgreens would" 

 I ask her "How to get there form where we are?"

She goes on this long list of buses and shuttles I have to take, so I diligently take notes and thank her.

I walk outside and wait for the first shuttle which took 20-30 minutes, Oh Yeah did I mention I was in Connecticut ??? Because it was 30 Degree's with a constant 20MPH wind. But hey who am I kidding if it was easy everybody would do it. I'm waiting and waiting, and here it comes in the break of the Horizon, the First Shuttle. I hop on board and explain my delima, The driver is more than willing to help and rushes me to the next stop, there I wait only a few seconds for the next shuttle. This one whisks me outside the main gates and to this elusive store, as I step out the driver informs me She Can't return to get me, and I would not be allowed on the employee shuttle. 

I asked "How will I get back?" 

She says "Just walk out the back section of the store and walk the back parking lot all the way back, and they would never see me. Oh yeah hope your in shape it's a 2.2 mile walk balk that direction." 

I respond "It will all be worth it" 

IT WAS WHEN I SAW THIS

NOS Energy Drinks and only 1.59 for the Big ones, there 2.99 Here in Texas. So of Course I purchased 4 for the day and tomorrow.

I started my walk back per the instructions of the Bus Driver, at a little over half way back I took this photo while enjoying the Cool Taste of my Favorite Brand of Energy Drink.

Upon my arrival back inside the Casino, I realized I was starving from my 2hr Adventure to find my Morning drink. So I found a Doughnut Shop but not Just any Doughnut Shop

 My Favorite two Doughnuts, Iced Chocolate Cake and Chocolate Sprinkles, I was in a crunch for time so I had to eat them on the run. Thankfully I had a sudden burst of energy from, you guessed it my Energy Drink.

So I made it to the show just in time for it to open, and the first place we went was to buy some new Duty ammunition for our Local Officers and Deputies. Luckily Hornady Ammunition Manufactures has a new specialty Duty ammunition designed to defeat common barriers encountered in Officer Involved Shootings.

These are bullets recovered form Ballistics Geliten, after it was shot through the barrier listed underneath each recovered bullet. In fact these bullets met all FBI Protocols and Requirements for penetration even after they passed through the listed barrier. Very neat Stuff, No this will not be made available to the public.

We spent the majority of the day making deals with other ammunition manufactures and even one more firearm manufacture. We decided to call it a early day since we where satisfied with the products we had purchased from this show.

We left for the dinner and to my surprise when we arrived at the restaurant it was shaped like a cavern with a domed top much like a IMAX that had the actual constellations on it, very cool Stuff.

The had very comfy chairs to lounge in, and Vanilla scented candles that was very relaxing.

After waiting for a short time for snacks that never came and noticing that people where only drinking, I asked a waitress and was told it was only going to be a Open bar no FOOD. I decided since I had drank the night before I would leave and sight see and find a good restaurant.

The first thing I came across was a life size LEGO Statue of Wood from Toy Story

Next was Swarovski Crystal

You can't have Crystal, without Diamonds 

Plus you would Need Bags to Carry them In

I think that row of Shops was designed and leased by a Woman...

So Again I started my search for a good Restaurant, when my IRISH Sense started tingling. Then I rounded the corner and I feasted my eyes on this GEM

Well to my disappointment, they where closed for repairs...

Then I found Jimmy Buffets Margaritaville, which I remembered from Las Vegas, had some great food. Seeing as how they where dead it would be a nice tranquil meal, so I enjoyed a Nice appetizer of Calamari, fallowed by a good Jambalaya with a great Lemon Water.

After I finished my Meal, I went upstairs and tried to get a good nights rest but I was plagued by a upset stomach and some horrible nightmares that kept me awake most of the night. Still trying to figure out the meaning behind those.

Stay Tuned for Part 5, the Trip Home.