L.A, Vegas, and San Diego through my eyes

[DavidMn]

Well, back from another adventure, and this one was definitely interesting, in more ways than one, as you'll soon find out....



Los Angeles, 5-28:

I left Minneapolis at 7:10 AM after about 2 hours of sleep the night before and my flight to Salt Lake City was less than full. If fact, I had a whole row to myself! Thank god, because I was able to catch up on a little bit of sleep that I didn't get the night before. I arrived in Salt Lake City and had to wait about 2 hours before my flight to L.A, arriving into LAX at about 12:30 P.M. I wasnt sure about catching the subway, but once I got out to where the cabs and other transportation were I saw the sign for the free shuttle to the green line right in front of me. After about a 10 minute ride on the shuttle I arrived at the train station and hopped on, transferring at some point to the blue line for the ride ito downtown. This was an interesting trip, as the train made it's way through the lovely neighborhoods of south central L.A. All I have to say to that is thank god I didnt try to get off at any of those stops. The train dropped me off at Pico basically right in front of the Staples center, so I rode all the way from LAX-downtown for a grand total of $1.25! I had alot of time to kill, so I went over to the ESPN zone to eat lunch and they have these massive lounge chairs right in front where all the big screens are. I thought I was goin to get a friggin migraine looking at all those screens, but I enjoyed the meal and the service was good too. I wandered around downtown for awhile before at about 4:30 making my way back to the Staples Center. Standing above the loading dock I saw the limos go in and I witnessed the security staff use those mirrors to check under the limo's as each one went in. Guess they thought it was Fleetwood Mac back in the 70's... Anyway, the show itself was fantastic, for me probably the best along with Tulsa. Stevie was the star of the show tonight for me. Whatever illness she had was long gone and she had an energy I hadnt seen in her in quite awhile! After the show, I took a cab to the Greyhound station for the ride to Las Vegas. This is where things get interesting...


Las Vegas, 5-30: Reno 911 turns into Vegas 911

So I get into Vegas at about 4:45 A.M and checking my google directions, I made my way about 2 blocks east of the bus station to catch the local vegas bus that would drop me off right in front of my motel. One Problem though, when I got to the street it was all torn up due to construction. Now, having no idea what the F**K to do and tired as hell, I went back over to main street hoping that the bus had been diverted to that street. As I reached the corner I saw the bus I wanted to catch coming down the street and though the light was red, I looked both ways and saw no traffic and started to cross wanting to catch the bus before it went by. BIG MISTAKE!!!! As I started to cross, this cop I didnt notice sitting on the curb suddenly turned on his lights and yelled into his megaphone or whatever he had to STOP!!! He then told me to put my bag down and get up against the car. I was terrified and I did as I was told. He got out of his car and told me that I wasnt under arrest but to please put my hands behind my back ao he could pat me down and he told me that too many people get hurt crossing the street there and that there are alot of fugitives that try to hide out in Vegas that act weird at that time of night. He let me go on my way and I went over to the bus stop, relieved! I made my way out to my motel arriving at 6:00 AM. Thank god they had a room open and let me check in right away so I was able to sleep until about 3 PM. Torri came out too and I met her at the Monte Carlo where she was staying and we went out and had a rel nice evening together. We ate at Margaritaville across from Caeser's and then we walked through the forum shops and I showed Torri where I ate at Spago back in 2005. We went back to her room afterwards and just visited for a couple hours. Man that was fun. You know, sometimes it's just cool to chill with a friend and share stories. Anyway I degress. The day of the show, I went back over to Torri's room at about noon as I had to check out of my motel at 11AM. She was kind enough to let me leave my bag in her room for the day. And we went over to the MGM at about 4. I decided to eat at the buffet(I know, big surprise!) and went over and met Torri in front of the entrance to the theater at 6:30. I met George(Edge27) there too and the 3 of us chatted for awhile before we made our way to our seats. The show was egain excellent, with Stevie shining again! I was very impressed. After the show, I met this really nice couple named Steven and Robert from Denver. I ahd seen them up in the front row in L.A and they were front row center again in Vegas. We had a really nice conversation and Steven bought us all drinks, which I thought was very nice. Anyway, after awhile we parted ways and Torri and I went back to her room and she let me use her shower because I had another all night bus ride from Vegas to San Diego. After we said our goodbyes, I went over and caught the bus downtown to the Greyhound station and got on the 3AM bus to San Diego with a connection in Los Angeles.

San Diego, 5-31

I arrived in San Diego at noon and went over to my motel downtown and rested for a couple hours and went over to the Sports Arena at about 4:30. I had cheap seats again this night and I thought the show had less, but only slightly so, energy than LA and Vegas. This morning before I flew home I wandered around wodntown San Diego and as I am wont to do I discovered a WONDERFUL place to have breakfast, a little place on Front street called Richard Walker's Pancake House. This place is apparently quite famous and I took a chance that I wouldnt be late for my flight and waited in the long line. I was very impressed with both the food and the service here, and I HIGHLY reccomend it to anyone that visits San Diego. Then I went to the airport and caught my 12:30 flight home and got back here to Minneapolis at 6. Thats it for this trip. Next stop: Milwauklee next Monday!

[michelej1]

David,

How your heart must have been beating when the policeman stopped you. I think his conduct was a little excessive for jaywalking.

Glad everything turned out ok. Seems like Stevie is closing in on the last leg of the stretch.

Michele

[DavidMn]

Originally Posted by michelej1

David,

How your heart must have been beating when the policeman stopped you. I think his conduct was a little excessive for jaywalking.

Glad everything turned out ok. Seems like Stevie is closing in on the last leg of the stretch.

Michele

Well, to be fair, I do understand where he;s coming from with the fugitive bit. I'm sure there are alot of those types of people that try to hide in Vegas. And I know on the strip, they have all those walkways and escalators that go over the streer so people dont have to cross in traffic. I had an AWESOME time on this trip, I'm only sorry we couldnt meet Michele. Oh PSST, I got front row for Milwaukee!

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by DavidMn

I had an AWESOME time on this trip, I'm only sorry we couldnt meet Michele. Oh PSST, I got front row for Milwaukee!

Yes, I'm sorry too. Front row! Incredible. Both Lindsey and Brett will make eye contact with you, I know.

Michele

[Wildheart82]

Hi David, I looked for you but the crowds were too vast. I did get to meet Steven & Robert as well, had to say hi after seeing them front row in Anaheim as well as Vegas. Had to see if they were Ledgies, but they werent, just huge fans.

Glad you had a good trip.

[carol7lynn]

I was wondering how you made out here in SoCal. Looked for you at the stage in San Diego. You should have come down. There was a guy in back of me who came down from Terrace. He waited until the lights went down because security was uber strict. I was in the second row and they wouldn't even let me in. As soon as the lights went down though I climbed over the chair in front of me and made it to the stage seconds before the lights went up for Monday Morning. I lent him my ticket for the price of a beer so whenever he wanted to go in and out of our self made fan pit he wouldn't get hassled. And, when I needed to go to the bathroom he held my place at the stage. The nice thing was we had a bathroom right by the stage with no lines all night.

Vegas sounded extreme. You are a trooper. Congrats on first row for Milwakee! If anyone deserves it, it is definitely you. I had a car story under San Diego but nothing like getting felt up or patted down by the cops.

Carol Lynn
SoCalGal

[Richard B]

Hey David,

Really enjoy reading your stories. I don't post much anymore, but I occasionally come and read stuff, and really make a point to read your tour adventures. Seriously. I admire your sense of adventure!

[WildHeart69]

Hey David! I searched for you in the arena, I figured I would see you up front but I couldnt find you. I ended up being right up against the stage to the right of LB's mic. Mick gave me his sticks at the end!! I am glad you made is "safely"! ha!

[DavidMn]

The thing is, at alot of these shows I'm so tired from traveling all night or whatever, that I just done have the energy to try to get down to the stage. But hey, at least I'm there!

[ChristyL17]

Love reading your stories!!

[RoseGarden]

I enjoy hearing your adventures and what it's like seeing the band through a tour!!! Keep healthy and enjoying this!!! I'd love to see the band and the difference between cities! Sounds exciting!!!