My journey to Las Vegas Part 5.

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...